power & comms cabling in trunking

[duct]

I've used a lot of 2 and 3 channel pvc trunking to route power and cat5 cables without problems.
Now, one manufacturer is saying that by using aluminium foil in the data channel it will give complete protection from interference from adjacent power cables. Has anyone used this type of trunking? If so, can the claims be substantiated?
I've been told in the past that mostly data cabling supplies computers which in turn have "noisy" switched power supplies. As a result these noisy power runs adjacent (in the 2nd channel) cause problems to the cat5 cable. So far I've never experienced problems myself or heard of any.

I've also been told that introducing shielding (foil) there can be problems if it is not grounded correctly and in no more than one place. Has anyone experienced foil in trunking?

 

[daronwilson]

I have used plastic ducting for data or power, I don't usually put them both in one duct (even with a divider) because of potential interference. I have done so many times with metal ducts with dividers with no trouble. Having a shielded foil separater makes good sense to me, provided it fully encased either the power or the communications side of the duct and was bonded at each section and grounded.

Good Luck It is only my opinion, based on my experience and education...I am always willing to learn, educate me!
Daron J. Wilson, RCDD
daron.wilson@lhmorris.com

 

[executone]

They sell a foil-like divider that goes in the plastic channels to separate the power from the cat5 wires.
It comes on a roll like duct tape and is self-adhesive. I have seen it at government sites but never done myself.