Re: Finishing Wiring Closet

["Robert L Bass" <no-sales-spam@bassburglaralarms>]

> So, I'm looking for suggestions as to
> how to bring lots of cables from the
> wall/ceiling space into the wiring closet
> and to the rack such that it looks nice,
> neat, and finished. And, of course, it
> has to meet fire code. FYI, the ceiling
> is not a plenum.

If it's a drop ceiling you could bring the wire
down inside one or more 2" diameter PVC
conduits to a surface mount cabinet behind
the rack.

Alternatively, you could do what I've done
for a number of clients:

1. Install a 4x8 sheet of ACX plywood
instead of drywall on a stud wall.  The ply-
wood goes up horizontally, 4" below the
ceiling.  Paint or stain the plywood.

2. Bring the cables out of of one or more
holes in the wall directly above the plywood.
Use distribution knobs and rings to split
and guide the cables to their respective
destinations.

3. Instead of a free standing rack (which
will almost certainly scare away 99% of
future home buyers when you decide to
sell some day), install 110 and 66 blocks
directly to the plywood.

4. Along the bottom of the plywood affix
an outlet strip with duplex outlets every
12" or so.  This gets wired directly to a
dedicated breaker.

5. Above the strip mount an 8-10" deep shelf
on 10-12" brackets so that there's a 2"
gap between the shelf and the plywood.
This gives you a place to rest tools,
meters and perhaps a gooseneck lamp
while you work, as well as a convenient
place for free standing devices like a cable
box, etc.

I've installed quite a few systems over the
years and this method has proven handy
for me.  It's neat, efficient and not too
intimidating to technophobes, many of whom
were our clients.  :^)

--

Regards,
Robert L Bass

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