Data Center Suspension
Data centers depend on clean, stable environments. The hardware that suspends cable tray, ductwork and electrical services overhead should never become a source of failure. NEBULOK aluminum grippers give your M&E contractors a fast, tool free suspension system that carries none of the zinc whisker risk found in zinc plated hardware.
The zinc whisker problem
Zinc whiskers are microscopic conductive filaments that grow from zinc plated surfaces. They break loose when hardware is disturbed, travel through airflow and settle on circuit boards, where they can cause short circuits and equipment failure. Engineers first recognized the problem in the 1940s, and modern equipment is more exposed than ever because:
- Circuit boards are more miniaturized, with tighter spacing between components
- Lower operating voltages are not enough to burn off a whisker once it bridges a circuit
- Whiskers keep accumulating as infrastructure ages over 10 to 30 years or more
- Upgrades and maintenance disturb old hardware and release whiskers into the air
Why NEBULOK aluminum
- 100% aluminum construction with no zinc plating to shed whiskers
- Tool free installation and adjustment using a ball bearing locking mechanism
- 5:1 safety factor tested by TUV
- SMACNA compliant for seismic environments
- Figure 8 double loop through hole design for added security on heavier runs
- Works with standard 7x7 galvanized wire rope
Gripper models and safe working loads
| Model | Cable size (7x7) | Safe working load |
|---|---|---|
| NL2 | 1/16" or 3/32" | 125 lbs |
| NL3 | 1/8" | 250 lbs |
| NL4 | 3/16" | 660 lbs |
Common data center applications
- Cable tray and ladder rack suspension
- Overhead power and busway support
- HVAC ductwork and hot aisle containment
- Conduit and fiber pathway routing
- Lighting above white space
Plan your next build with us
Send us your drawings or hang point counts and we will recommend the right gripper, cable and fixings for each run.