In the previous article, we have introduced the contribution and various types of OA floors – Office Raised Floors in office cable management. So which wiring methods are used in the office raised floor to achieve efficient line management? In this article, we will explain it to you!
Office (OA) Raised Access Floors Offer Effective Cable Management
With the spread of personal computers and the internet, numerous office automation (OA) devices have come to be used in offices, and large numbers of cables have come to be wired. If cables are simply laid on the floor, the office will become messy. However, by installing an OA floor – raised floor system for the office, the office can be kept neat and tidy.
The “OA” in OA raised floor stands for Office Automation, which refers to the automation and efficiency improvement of clerical work in offices. In other words, OA is improving the efficiency of clerical work traditionally done by hand, through the use of devices like personal computers, printers, and scanners. As office work became more automated, the number of cables wired in offices also increased. As the name suggests, an office raised access floor is a floor designed specifically for OA. It has a double floor structure that neatly wires and stores large numbers of cables underneath.
Main Wiring Methods for Office Raised Floors
OA floors (office raised floors) can be divided into “underfloor wiring” and “trench wiring” depending on the wiring method. Each has its own merits and demerits, so let’s understand their characteristics.
1. Underfloor Wiring
With “underfloor wiring”, office raised floor panels with supports are installed on the floor, and cables are wired in the space created between the panels and the floor. The merit of this method is that the large space under the panels can accommodate a large volume of cables. There is also a high degree of freedom in wiring since there are no directional restrictions. This method is well-suited for large offices that require large numbers of cables, as well as server rooms.
The demerit is that if cables are haphazardly stuffed in, it becomes difficult to find necessary cables when changes need to be made. There is also an increased risk of cable tangling and noise generation. To prevent malfunctions in electronic devices due to noise, it is important to securely fix and wire the cables so they are not in close contact.
2. Trench Wiring
Conversely to underfloor wiring, “trench wiring” involves placing panels with trenches on the floor and wiring cables along the trenches. Once wiring is complete, a protective cover is placed over the top. Since cables can be wired neatly, the risk of tangling is low. This is a merit. Another merit is that wiring can be easily reconfigured to accommodate office layout changes, since covers can be removed to access the cables. Noise generation is also less likely since cable routes are fixed along the trenches. LAN cables in particular, which can cause network failures when affected by noise, need to be laid separately from other cable types.
The demerit is that the wiring location is limited to the trenches, so the volume of cables that can be accommodated is small. This method is not very suitable for large offices that require large volumes of cables. It is best suited for medium-sized offices where layout changes are relatively frequent, and small offices where personnel increases and additional cabling are expected in the future.
The above two wiring methods also have their own characteristics and disadvantages in different office raised floor installation methods:
Underfloor Wiring in Adjustable-Pedestal Office Raised floor (Detachable Panel and Pedestal Type)
Adjustable-Pedestal office raised floor is the OA floor where panels are placed on top of height-adjustable pedestals. Here are pros and cons of using the underfloor wiring in adjustable office raised floor:
Pros:
- Can accommodate a large volume of cables
- High degree of freedom in wiring routes
- Low risk of cable damage under the floor
- Abundant cable access points from the floor
Cons:
- May require specialized tools to remove panels
- Panels can be heavy depending on material, so care must be taken to avoid injury when handling
- Panels are 50×50 cm, so some space is needed to open them
To wire cables under the floor, detach the panels on top of the pedestals to access the space underneath. Since the pedestals are fixed to the floor in this type, there is no risk of cables being stepped on by pedestals. This could be called the ideal OA floor for wiring cables.
Adjustable-Pedestal Office Raised Floor (Integrated Pedestal and Panel Type)
This is an OA floor where height-adjustable pedestals and panels are integrated. Here are pros and cons of using the underfloor wiring in this adjustable office raised floor:
Pros:
- Can accommodate a large volume of cables
- High degree of freedom in wiring routes
- Abundant cable access points from the floor
- To wire cables under the floor, detach the integrated pedestal-panels to access the space underneath.
Cons:
- Difficult to open and close panels since pedestals are integrated
- Cables may be stepped on by unrestrained pedestals
- Exchanging panels with those from other locations may result in uneven levels
- When returning panels after wiring, take care not to step on cables as you put them back in place.
Trench Wiring for Office Free-Standing Access Flooring
This is an OA floor where cable trenches are designed in a matrix pattern. Here are pros and cons of using the underfloor wiring in this office access floor:
Pros:
- Easy to open and close panels
- Smaller panels allow finer adjustment of cable access points
- Does not require specialized tools
Cons:
- Low cable capacity
- Additional panel processing needed for taking out many cables
- Failure to return panels after wiring can cause tripping hazards
For wiring, open up panels along the desired route to lay cables inside the trenches. The small, lightweight panels make opening and closing easy, allowing anyone to wire under the floor with ease.