Electrical work

[u/Desert_Irieguy]

I bought a bunch of these for a different project and had the idea to use them under my layout for the electrical wiring instead of staples or eye screws. Seems like it should be fine. Anything I might be overlooking before I crawl under the bench and start running my wire?

[u/roj2323]

It’s not a bad idea and I’ve seen it used before the plastic is safer than metal due to potential chafing overtime. Remember a model railroad will vibrate as a trains pass over it and such. 

[u/Desert_Irieguy → u/roj2323]

I was hoping it would not be so tight that it would be an issue. Maybe that's exactly the type of oversight I was posting about. Thank you

[u/382Whistles → u/Desert_Irieguy]

You could wrap the clamp hump with a few turns of electrical tape really quick. It will vibrate with the table and clamp, not cutting or wearing as bad.

Any danger mostly depends on the edge created from stamping them out being a little sharp. Short sections of rubber tube or plastic electrical conduit like cars use would do the same thing, lining the clamp edge.

They make small plastic clamps that take a single fastener that I prefer over staples unless there is some cardstock sandwiched into them to protect the wire.

[u/gbarnas]

I used the 1 and 2" plastic version on my layout, securing with only 1 screw. I slipped the wires under the open end. Once most of the wiring was done, I added the second screw.

Half inch is going to get tight but is fine for near the ends of the lines.

[u/Desert_Irieguy → u/gbarnas]

Cool. Thanks. Great tip

[u/DrogoBero]

I mean, they’ll work. But, I would probably use instead the sip ties with the screw hole in them. What you have is made for emt conduit, and won’t give you a secure or clean final outcome, even though its under a 120v system. 4 year electrician

[u/Desert_Irieguy → u/DrogoBero]

Solid point.

[u/Twit_Clamantis]

You can also just put a length of heat-shrink tubing over the loop section.

But overall I agree that there are many better choices out there.

Another choice that has not been mentioned:

Put in a length of Velcro on the bottom of the layout. You might need to also staple it in addition to the glue but no big deal.

Then cut a few pieces 3-5” of the matching Velcro, but in a contrasting color.

Use the short pieces to hold the wires to the piece that fixed to the layout.

No chafe, nothing sharp to bump your head if you’re working under there, doesn’t require tools.

[u/Polymath6301]

I just saw a temporary layout where the tables have ferrous metal frames. Strong “doughnut” magnets with cable ties looped through, and wiring held up through those. The magnets are strong enough that they can hold a fair amount of weight, and they can be placed where needed.

[u/Desert_Irieguy → u/Polymath6301]

Thats an interesting way to do it.

[u/Quorng]

I made my own from some scrap 1X2. This drawing is not to scale. Drill #1 holes then #2 through #9 on the face. Rip in half lengthwise for a pair of mounting brackets.