The Gear That Keeps Your Systems Hanging

Get grounded in the gear that holds your installs together. From clamps and trays to brackets and magnetic mounts, this field-tested glossary breaks down the backbone of cable support systems—clean, compliant, and built to last. Whether you're laying your first run, roughing in a retrofit, or dialing in a high-density build, every term here earns its spot. No fluff, no guesswork—just the fittings, fasteners, and framing that elevate your installs and keep your systems sharp, efficient, and trusted in the field.

Every bracket, clamp, and tray plays a role—working together to route, support, and protect your cabling from end to end. It’s the hardware behind clean installs, reliable systems, and builds that hold up under pressure.

Cable Pathways & Routing Systems

  1. Cable Tray: Rigid support system for routing large cable bundles horizontally or vertically. Includes solid, perforated, or wire mesh styles.
    • Straight Section: Main horizontal run of tray.
    • Splice Plate: Connects tray sections.
    • Tray Cover: Shields cables from dust or EMI.
    • Drop-Out: Guides cables out while preserving bend radius.
    • Waterfall: Curved accessory for smooth cable transition to vertical drop or patch panel.
    • Radius Elbow: Enables directional changes.
    • Tee & Cross Fittings: Junction points for branching.
    • Hold-Down Clamp: Secures tray to framing.
    • Expansion Joint: Allows thermal movement.
    • Barrier Strip: Segregates cable types within tray.
  2. Wire Basket Tray: Mesh-style tray for airflow and accessibility in structured cabling and low-voltage installs.
    • Tray Section: Main mesh pathway.
    • Splice Kit: Connects tray sections.
    • Drop-Out: Cable exit with bend radius control.
    • Waterfall: Curved insert guiding cables to equipment or vertical drop.
    • Radius Elbow: Horizontal or vertical turns.
    • Tee & Cross Fittings: Branching points.
    • Mounting Bracket: Secures tray to surfaces.
    • Divider Strip: Separates cable types.
    • Tray Cover: Optional lid for protection.
  3. Raceway: Enclosed channel for surface-mounted cable runs in office or retrofit installs.
    • Raceway Section: Plastic or metal channel.
    • Elbow Fitting: 90° directional change.
    • Tee Fitting: Three-way junction.
    • Coupler: Connects raceway sections.
    • End Cap: Seals open ends.
    • Reducer: Transitions between sizes.
    • Outlet Box Adapter: Interfaces with devices.
    • Mounting Clip: Secures raceway to surfaces.
  4. Conduit: Tubular protection for electrical wiring using EMT, PVC, or flexible types.
    • Conduit Section: Straight run of tubing.
    • Coupling: Connects conduit sections.
    • Elbow: Enables directional change.
    • Conduit Strap: Secures conduit to framing.
    • Expansion Fitting: Allows movement due to temperature.
    • Conduit Body (LB, T, C): Access point for pulling or splicing.
    • Bushing: Protects wire edges at entry points.
    • Connector: Interfaces conduit with boxes or enclosures.
  5. Cable Ladder Rack: Rigid frame with side rails and rungs for supporting heavy cable bundles.
    • Rack Section: Main structural component.
    • Radius Drop-Out: Guides cables off rack with bend radius control.
    • Waterfall: Curved accessory for smooth cable transition to vertical drop or patch panel.
    • Wall Bracket: Anchors rack to wall.
    • Ceiling Hanger Kit: Suspends rack overhead.
    • Splice Kit: Connects rack sections.
    • Support Post: Mid-span structural support.
    • End Cap: Covers open ends for safety.
    • Retainer Clip: Secures cables along rungs.
  6. Fiber Duct System: Modular enclosed pathway for routing fiber optic cables in high-density environments.
    • Fiber Channel: Main trough for fiber bundles.
    • Snap-On Cover: Shields fiber from dust and damage.
    • Vertical Drop: Guides fiber downward to equipment.
    • Horizontal Elbow: Enables 90° directional changes.
    • Tee & Cross Fittings: Branching points.
    • Support Bracket: Mounts duct to surfaces.
    • End Cap: Seals open ends.
    • Radius Insert: Maintains bend radius for fiber.

Strut Channel & Accessories

  1. Strut Channel: Steel framing system used to mount conduit, cable tray, ladder rack, and support hardware. Available in slotted, solid, and back-to-back profiles. Used in electrical, mechanical, and low-voltage installs.
  2. Strut Nut: Spring-loaded or standard nut that locks into strut channel to secure threaded rod, clamps, or brackets. Essential for modular mounting.
  3. Strut Bracket: Angle, U-shaped, or flat bracket used to mount hardware to strut framing. Often pre-drilled for fast install and load-rated for structural support.
  4. Strut End Cap: Plastic or metal cap that covers open ends of strut channel for safety, finish, and debris protection.
  5. Strut Clamp Adapter: Interface fitting that allows conduit clamps, J-hooks, or other hardware to mount directly to strut channel.
  6. Strut Hanger Plate: Flat plate used to suspend strut channel from ceilings or beams using threaded rod or anchors.
  7. Strut Trolley: Sliding mount that rides inside strut channel for movable cable support or tool-free adjustment.
  8. Strut Coupler: Connector used to join two strut sections end-to-end for extended runs or framing continuity.

Threaded Rod & Rod Hardware

  1. Threaded Rod: Steel rod used to suspend cable tray, conduit, or ladder rack from ceilings or beams. Available in multiple diameters and lengths.
  2. Rod Coupler: Connector that joins two threaded rods for extended reach.
  3. Rod Stiffener: Reinforcement sleeve or bracket that prevents rod flexing under heavy load.

Hanging & Support Hardware

  1. J Hook: Versatile cable support shaped like a “J,” used for routing low-voltage, fiber, coax, and bundled cables. Available in multiple sizes and mounting styles for ceilings, walls, strut, or threaded rod.
  2. Bridle Ring: Circular loop for light-duty cable support in telecom and low-voltage installs.
  3. Cable Hanger: General suspension device for bundled cable runs.
  4. Drop Wire Support: Secures vertical cable drops from ceiling or framing.
  5. D-Ring: aka distribution ring or telco ring. Flat-backed, D-shaped cable guide mounted to walls, racks, or enclosures. Available in plastic or metal.

Fasteners & Anchors

  1. Cable Tie (Zip Tie): Strap for bundling cables; available in nylon or Velcro.
  2. Saddle Tie Mount: Anchors cable ties to surfaces.
  3. Cable Clip: Secures individual cables to framing or panels.
  4. Cable Staple: Fastens cable directly to wood framing.
  5. Anchor Strap: Wrap-around strap for securing large bundles.
  6. Drive Ring: Open loop fastener hammered into wood or masonry for light-duty cable support.
  7. Multifunction Clip: aka Batwing. Spring steel clip that snaps into ceiling grid or structural steel. Used to mount j hooks, bridle rings, or threaded rod without tools.
  8. Pedestal Mount: Base-mounted bracket for securing j hooks or cable supports to raised floor pedestals or vertical surfaces.
  9. Angle Clip: L-shaped bracket used to mount cable hardware to beams, strut, or wall surfaces. Often pre-drilled for fast install.

Clamps

  1. Conduit Clamp: Secures EMT, PVC, or flexible conduit to surfaces; cushioned or rigid styles.
  2. Pipe Clamp: Heavy-duty clamp for large conduit or pipe runs.
  3. Saddle Clamp: U-shaped bracket for conduit or pipe; bolt-on or strut-mounted.
  4. Hammer-On Clamp: Impact-mounted clamp for steel beams; no drilling required.
  5. Spring Steel Clamp: Snap-in clamp for conduit, pipe, or cable supports; tool-free and vibration-resistant.
  6. Malleable Clamp: Cast steel clamp with threaded holes for mounting J-hooks, rings, or rod to beams.
  7. Beam Clamp: Anchors to structural beams to support threaded rod, conduit hangers, cable tray brackets, or strut assemblies. Available in standard, swivel, and multi-thread configurations. Used when drilling is not permitted or practical.
  8. Strut Clamp: Grips conduit or bundles inside strut channel; used in modular framing systems.
  9. Cable Clamp: General-purpose clamp for securing cable bundles to framing, panels, or enclosures.
  10. Loop Clamp (P-Clamp): Single-hole loop clamp for small bundles, tubing, or wire; available in metal or cushioned styles.
  11. Snap-In Clamp: Press-fit clamp for modular or prefab installs; ideal for tool-free cable routing.
  12. Cushioned Clamp: Lined with elastomer to dampen vibration and protect cable jackets.
  13. Insulation Clamp: Secures insulated pipe or tubing without compression; maintains thermal integrity.
  14. Hydraulic Clamp: Cushioned clamp for hydraulic or fluid lines near cabling systems; prevents abrasion and vibration transfer.

Magnetic & Tool-Free Solutions

  1. Magnetic Cable Manager: Clip or bracket with magnetic base for organizing cable bundles on steel surfaces. Ideal for temporary routing, service loops, or retrofit installs where drilling isn’t permitted.
  2. Magnetic J Hook: J Hook with integrated magnet for fast, tool-free mounting to steel beams, panels, or enclosures. Used in datacom and low-voltage installs.
  3. Magnetic Bridle Ring: Bridle ring with magnetic base for light-duty cable support on steel framing or ceiling grid. Allows repositioning without tools.
  4. Magnetic Clamp: Clamp with magnetic base for securing conduit, pipe, duct, hoses, or cable bundles to steel surfaces. Used in temporary setups or environments requiring non-invasive mounting.

Cable Routing Aids

  1. Bend Radius Insert: Curved guide that maintains proper bend radius for fiber or copper cables at drop-outs or transitions.
  2. Cable Guide Ring: Open ring or loop that directs cable around corners or through tight spaces without abrasion.
  3. Service Loop Organizer: Bracket or tray that holds excess cable length in a clean, accessible loop for future maintenance.
  4. Cable Spool: Rotating or fixed drum used to manage long cable runs or slack storage in telecom closets or data centers.
Winnie Industries is committed to providing exceptional cable fastening hardware to support the needs of various industries. Look to us to engineer and manufacture innovative solutions that uphold innovation, strength, and dependability.

The information provided in this FAQ is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to replace official codes, standards, or project specifications. Winnie Industries products must always be installed and used in accordance with our product instruction sheets or designated training. Products should never be applied beyond their intended purpose or in a manner that exceeds specified load ratings. Proper fastening is critical to system integrity and functionality, requiring secure attachment to structurally sound components capable of supporting imposed loads. All installations must comply with governing codes, regulations, and job site requirements. Always consult your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for specific regulatory guidance.