unistrut lighting system

rockrose · Sep 11, 2018

Hi in a factory with old t8 light fittings fitted and wired on a unistrut system.The job is to replace them with led fittings i suggested removing the unistrut replacing it with 50/50 galv trunking the factory boss wants to leave the unistrut to save time and money and rewire and fit new fittings to the existing unistrut any thoughts

Nigel · Sep 11, 2018

I don’t see an issue replacing the lights only.

It is a pretty simple job.

ipf · Sep 11, 2018

rockrose said:
yea thats what i want to do but the factory boss wants use the unistrut to save money on trunking and time

Tell him it isn't cable trunking and, as such, not suitable to carry the cables. I've never seen that lid on 'strut' before but Unistrut do trunking too.....different altogether.

ipf · Sep 11, 2018

essex said:
I don’t see an issue replacing the lights only.

It is a pretty simple job.

I'd like to see how the cable enters the strut.

Nigel · Sep 11, 2018

ipf said:
Tell him it isn't cable trunking and, as such, not suitable to carry the cables. I've never seen that lid on 'strut' before but Unistrut do trunking too.....different altogether.

Unistrut can have a cover to the channel fitted. Not sure I would call it a lid.

Unistrut is perfectly fine to carry cables that do not need mechanical protection of steel trunking.

Deleted member 26818 · Sep 11, 2018

ipf said:
Tell him it isn't cable trunking and, as such, not suitable to carry the cables. I've never seen that lid on 'strut' before but Unistrut do trunking too.....different altogether.

I’ve used Unistrut as containment before now.

Nigel · Sep 11, 2018

ipf said:
I'd like to see how the cable enters the strut.

I would install FP200 and fit unistrut cover.

Really very simple.

ipf · Sep 11, 2018

essex said:
Unistrut can have a cover to the channel fitted. Not sure I would call it a lid.

Unistrut is perfectly fine to carry cables that do not need mechanical protection of steel trunking.

ie. swa, or equivalent…...I've done that, no prob

Marvo · Sep 11, 2018

KEV 1 N said:
You can get a plastic lid that clips over the unistrut channel....if that’s any help?
View attachment 44258

You also get steel lid for unistrut.....and stainless steel 'dairy grade' lids as well.
I also regularly use it as containment for both cables and singles wiring, not sure why there'd be any advantages to using truking over unistrut or why unistrut wouldn't fit the bill admirably as containment.

Andy78 · Sep 11, 2018

I have used unistrut for containment before, but not fully. Usually as a stanchion where a cable drops off a tray, and only with sheathed cables. Don't think I'd use it with singles like a proper trunking.

ipf · Sep 11, 2018

Fair do's....but I use the original strut for fixing to, generally with spring nuts, which obviously prevents using it as a cable route.

Marvo · Sep 11, 2018

If I use it as structural support ie bolted to a wall with cantilever brackets and spring nuts then no, I wouldn't use it as containment in those circumstances.

Suspended from a factory roof with fluorescents fixed to the underside....yep, containment.

Call me a cowboy

[ElectriciansForums.net] unistrut lighting system

I don't care

ipf · Sep 11, 2018

Maybe wrong, but I would doubt it's bs standard rating for carrying single insulated cables. Much stronger than trunking, yes, but what about bushing, locknuts, bends, etc? It's not made for it.

Nigel · Sep 11, 2018

ipf said:
Maybe wrong, but I would doubt it's bs standard rating for carrying single insulated cables. Much stronger than trunking, yes, but what about bushing, locknuts, bends, etc? It's not made for it.

I would not wire singles in it.

ipf · Sep 11, 2018

essex said:
I would not wire singles in it.

That's my whole point, Neil. I presumed the wiring indicated was just that.

Marvo · Sep 11, 2018

There's nothing in our local regs preventing it being containment if it's installed accordingly but the UK regs may well not allow it.

There's no pre-formed bends as such, corners and tees are made by hand using a variety of winged brackets bolted on the backside of the strut.