Cable Protector Buying Guide
Cable protectors are a simple yet effective solution that prevents cables from becoming damaged while reducing trip hazards.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before buying a cable protector. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each type, the key features worth considering, and what to check before investing. Whether you're looking to protect wires in the offices, EV charging cables in the driveway, electrical cables at events, or safeguard hoses from vehicle traffic, our guide is here to help.
What to check
Measure the height and width of your cable(s).
Identify what distance you need to cover.
Many cable ramps can protect multiple cables.
Things to consider
Consider whether the cable ramp will be used for pedestrians, trolleys, or vehicle traffic. For vehicles, think about the type - will it be light cars or HGVs?
For low clearance items such as mobility aids, pallet trucks and forklifts, we would suggest viewing low profile cable protectors for a smooth slope.
Will the cable ramps be used indoors or outdoors? For industrial use, you may require a solution which is resistant to oils or extreme temperatures.
Most cable ramps simply rest on the ground—their weight ensures they stay in place. However, some solutions can be bolted down if required.
At home, all-black cable ramps are often selected. In public areas, high-visibility black-and-yellow designs are more popular to reduce trip hazards.
Cable ramps come in a variety of designs, including portable solutions which snap-open, drop-over cable covers, and options with a hinged lid.
For protecting smaller cables at home and in the office, and for protecting EV cable protectors, floor cable protectors are an ideal solution. Available in lengths up to 9m, and provided in all black and black and yellow, the lightweight cable protectors are simple yet effective at protecting cables from pedestrians and light trolleys. For larger cables we suggest viewing the heavy duty cable protectors.
Floor Cable Protectors - For Pedestrian Traffic & Light Vehicles
- Available in lengths from 1m - 9m, can be cut to size
- Provided in black or black & yellow for high visibility
- Simply snap open and insert cables, easy to use
- Sloped edges and ribbed surface, reduces trip hazards
- 1 or 2 channel solutions, for cables up to 30mm x 10mm
- Light duty, designed for pedestrian traffic and light trolleys
- Lengths up to 1m, interlocking design
- Provided in black or yellow for high visibility
- Simply place over the cable, easy to use
- Sloped edges and anti-slip surface, reduces trip hazards
- 1 or 2 channels, for cables up to 30mm in diameter
- Capacities up to 5,000kg, for pedestrians and light cars
- Available in lengths from 1m - 9m, can be cut to size
- Provided in black or black & yellow for high visibility
- Simply snap open and insert cables, easy to use
- Sloped edges and ribbed surface, reduces trip hazards
- 1 channel, protects cables up to 20m in diameter
- 2,000kg capacity, ideal for pedestrians and light vehicles
- 990mm in length, interlocking to cover your required area
- Provided in black & yellow for high visibility
- Simply open the lid and insert cables, easy to use
- Chequered anti-slip surface, reduces trip hazards
- 2 channels, protects cables up 30mm x 35mm
- 2,500kg capacity, ideal for pedestrians and light vehicles
Floor Cable Protectors
- Lengths from 1m - 9m, can be cut to size
- Black or black & yellow for high visibility
- Simply snap open and insert cables, easy to use
- Anti-slip with sloped edges, reduces trip hazards
- 1 or 2 channels, for cables up to 30mm x 10mm
- Light duty, for pedestrians and light trolleys
Drop Over Cable Covers
- Lengths up to 1m, interlocking design
- Available in black or yellow for high visibility
- Simply place over the cable, easy to use
- Anti-slip with sloped edges, reduces trip hazards
- 1 or 2 channels, for cables up to 30mm x 30mm
- 5,000kg capacity for pedestrians and light cars
Rubber Cable Protector
- Lengths from 1m - 9m, can be cut to size
- Black or black & yellow for high visibility
- Simply snap open and insert cables, easy to use
- Anti-slip with sloped edges, reduces trip hazards
- 1 channel, protects cables up to 20m in diameter
- 2,000kg capacity, for pedestrians and light cars
2-channel Cable Protector
- Interlocking to cover your required area
- Provided in black & yellow for high visibility
- Simply open the lid and insert cables, easy to use
- Anti-slip surface, reduces trip hazards
- 2 channels, protects cables up 30mm x 35mm
- 2,500kg capacity for pedestrians and light cars
Available with 1, 2, 3, and 5-channel options, heavy-duty cable protectors are designed to safeguard cables from vehicle traffic. These protectors, suitable for indoor or outdoor use, are commonly used on driveways, roads, car parks and at events. Vehicles should travel over cable ramps at a maximum speed of 5 mph. Heavy-duty cable ramps accommodate larger cable sizes than lightweight protectors, making them ideal for commercial and industrial applications.
Heavy Duty Cable Protectors - For Vehicle Traffic
- Interlocking design to cover your required area
- Black & yellow for high visibility
- Portable with hinged lid, easy to use
- Chequered anti-slip surface reduces trip hazards
- 1, 2, 3, or 5 channels for cables up to 90 mm × 85 mm
- Up to 12,000kg capacity for pedestrians, cars and vans
- Interlocking design with dog bone connectors
- Reflective strips for high visibility
- Simply insert cables, easy to use
- Durable, indoor or outdoor use
- 2 channels, for cables up to 90 mm × 105 mm
- 20,000kg capacity for HGVs and industrial use
- Interlocking, cover your required area
- Accessories available, allow cables to turn
- Portable and fixed solutions for long term use
- Resistant to oil, acid, petrol - for use in harsh environments
- 2, 3, 4 or 5 channels, for cables up to 108mm x 110mm
- Capacities up to 5,000kg - for pedestrians & cars
- Interlocking design, cover your required area
- Accessories available, allow cables to turn when needed
- Simply open the lid and insert cables, easy to use
- Chequered anti-slip surface reduces trip hazards/li>
- 3 or 5 channels for cables up to 57 mm × 57 mm
- Capacities up to 24,000kg - heavy duty
Heavy Duty Cable Protector
- Interlocking design to cover your required area
- Black & yellow for high visibility
- Portable with hinged lid, easy to use
- Chequered anti-slip surface reduces trip hazards
- 1, 2, 3, or 5 channels - cables up to 90 mm × 85 mm
- Up to 12,000kg capacity - heavy duty design
Hose Protector
- Interlocking design with dog bone connectors
- Reflective strips for high visibility
- Simply insert cables, easy to use
- Durable, indoor or outdoor use
- 2 channels, cables up to 90 mm × 105 mm
- 20,000kg capacity - for HGVs and industrial use
- High profile - not for low clearance cars
Adam Hall Cable Protectors
- Interlocking, cover your required area
- Accessories available, allow cables to turn
- Portable and fixed solutions for long term use
- Resistant to oil, acid, petrol - industrial use
- 2, 3, 4 or 5 channels - cables up to 108mm x 110mm
- Capacities up to 5,000kg for cars & pedestrians
Checkers Guard Dog Cable Protectors
- Interlocking design, cover your required area
- Accessories available including turns
- Simply open the lid and insert cables, easy to use
- Anti-slip surface reduces trip hazards
- 3 or 5 channels for cables up to 57 mm × 57 mm
- Up to 24,000kg capacity – heavy duty design
In many situations, low-clearance vehicles can have difficulty crossing standard cable protectors. Whether you’re operating forklifts, pallet trucks, or trolleys in a warehouse, or need to ensure accessibility for wheelchairs and mobility scooters at an event to comply with the Equality Act, we offer a range of low-profile cable protectors designed to provide a smooth transition.
Low Profile Cable Protectors - For Forklifts, Pallet Trucks & Mobility Aids
- Textured surface to reduce the risk of slips
- Place over your cable protectors, bolt down if preferred
- Smooth gradient, perfect for low clearance vehicles
- Compatible with our 2- or 5-channel cable covers for cables up to 31 mm × 44 mm
- 10,000 kg capacity – for mobility aids, cars, and forklifts
- Interlocking design, connect to cover your required area
- Textured surface to reduce the risk of slips
- Hinged lid, simply open and insert cables - easy to use
- Smooth gradient for low-clearance vehicles & mobility aids
- 3 or 5 channels for cables up to 34 mm × 33.7 mm
- Up to 30,000kg capacity, heavy duty design
- Blue modular cable ramp, high-visibility design
- TÜV SÜD certified, made in Germany, premium quality
- Oil, solvent & petrol resistant – for harsh environments
- Smooth gradient for low-clearance vehicles & mobility aids
- Protects up to 5 cables, each channel is 34cm x 36cm
- 5,000kg capacity, ideal for mobility aids and trolleys
- Simply place over the cable or hose, easy to use
- TÜV SÜD certified, made in Italy, premium quality
- R13 slip resistance for optimum traction during use
- Smooth gradient, perfect for low clearance items
- 1 channel (85mm x 100mm) for cables, pipes and hoses
- 1,000kg capacity, ideal for pallet trucks, trolleys and cages
Wheelchair Ramp Cable Protector
- Textured surface to reduce the risk of slips
- Rest in place or bolt down
- Smooth gradient for ease of use
- Compatible with our 2- or 5-channel cable covers for cables up to 31 mm × 44 mm
- 10,000kg capacity – for mobility aids & vehicles
Checkers Guard Dog
- Interlocking design, cover your required area
- Textured surface to reduce the risk of slips
- Hinged lid - easy to use
- Smooth gradient for vehicles & mobility aids
- 3 or 5 channels for cables up to 34mm × 33.7mm
- Up to 30,000kg capacity, heavy duty design
Defender Midi
- Blue modular cable ramp, high-visibility design
- Made in Germany, TÜV SÜD certified
- Oil, solvent & petrol resistant – industrial use
- Smooth gradient for ease of use
- 5 channels, each channel is 34cm x 36cm
- 5,000kg capacity - for mobility aids and trolleys
Loading Bridge
- Simply place over the cable or hose, easy to use
- Made in Italy, TÜV SÜD certified
- R13 slip resistance for optimum traction
- Smooth gradient, perfect for low clearance items
- 1 large channel, 85mm x 100mm
- 1,000kg capacity for pallet trucks and cages
Care & Maintenance
- The cable protectors require little maintenance; they can simply be wiped clean with a damp cloth or hose. The Adam Hall range, which offers a self-cleaning hinged lid, can be cleaned with a steam jet cleaner if preferred.
- For cable protectors with a hinged lid, always ensure the hinge remains clean and apply a light lubricant when required. Wipe off any excess lubricant to reduce the risk of slips.
- We recommend regularly checking your cable protectors for signs of damage and wear. If any concerns are noted, please contact the manufacturer for advice to ensure the cable ramp is still safe to use.
- Cable protectors should always be used within the recommended guidance. Please check the product page for details of the recommended use and capacity.
Assembling, Positioning & Use
- The cable protectors are designed for ease of use. Most of the cable protectors simply rest on the ground when needed. The bolt down solutions are provided with pre-drilled fixing points allowing them to be secured to concrete or tarmac.
- Floor protectors simply snap open, allowing you to insert your cables, while drop-over covers can be placed directly over them. Heavy-duty black-and-yellow cable protectors feature a hinged lid—just open the lid and insert your cables. The interlocking design makes it easy to connect multiple units together, and hose protectors include bone connectors for secure linking.
- For cable and hose protectors suitable for vehicle traffic, vehicles should travel at a maximum speed of 5 mph over the ramps. We also recommend installing speed bump warning signs to alert users to the presence of cable protectors.
- To maximise clearance for the greatest number of vehicles, select the cable protector with the lowest height. Low-clearance vehicles may struggle to pass over higher cable or hose protectors.
Cable Protectors Safety Standards and Requirements
- Cable protectors are often required to safely protect cables from damage and reduce trip hazards. Depending on the location of the cable protector, you may need to take action to minimise the risk of pedestrians tripping on cables. This may include using a cable ramp, limiting access to the area, or fitting permanent cable and wire covers.
- In the UK, employers are required to reduce the risk of employees tripping and falling in the workplace. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 all require employers to take measures to reduce the risk of slips and trips and ensure the workplace is free of obstructions.
- Where cables are present, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure pedestrians do not trip on them. The HSE often recommends using permanent wire equipment or cable covers to prevent the risk of pedestrians tripping on loose cables. Alternatively, access can be restricted to areas where loose cables are present.
- For EV charging cables, Rule 239 of the Highway Code (2022) requires users of electric vehicle charging points to ensure a trip hazard is not created for pedestrians by the cables. As many now charge their cars at home, drivers often purchase EV charging cable covers to protect cables on pavements, driveways, and roads.
- In line with the Equality Act 2010, it is important that areas are made accessible to those with disabilities. Low profile cable protectors, often referred to as DDA cable protectors or ADA cable protectors, are ideal for ensuring your event, business, or site remains accessible to those using mobility scooters and wheelchairs, as they provide a smooth gradient that allows wheelchairs to safely pass over the cable protectors.
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