These are often made out of high impact PVC. That gives them high resistance against outdoor elements. Wire guards are typically used for electrical and communications wiring.
What are they used for?
These serve as utility poles. They run alongside a pole and protect cables from damage and exposure to the elements. The material is resistant to sunlight and moisture along with the weather. It also keeps chemicals as well as pests away from the cables. DIY Network says if you want to run cables outdoors, you’ll need to protect the cables with PVC conduit or wire guards.
What are the different types of guards?
There are two types you can choose from: flanged and standard or unflanged ones. Standard types are designed with a U-shaped cross section. Flanged versions, on the other hand, feature a small lip.
The lip extends to either side and lays flat against the installation surface. Some offer guards with pre-drilled holes in the lips at certain intervals to make it easy to attach the guard to the pole.
For standard guards, things are a bit trickier. You’ll need to use clamps that serve as the flange to help you put the guard in place.
What other features do wire guards have?
Some wire guards have belled ends as well. Wire guards come with a raceway that flares out a bit in the end. These make it easy for two raceways to overlap or connect instead of two guards just lining up against each other. If you encounter regulations that say high voltage cables must be enclosed, then a belled end ensures the guards you use comply with the rules.
Does size matter?
Yes. So don’t forget to take the guard size into account. Determine how wide you want the channel to be. A misstep could mean you’ll have to get new ones just to accommodate all the cables you plan to run through the guard.
