It’s a common misconception that every cable machine is the same. It’s a steel cable pulling a weight stack; what’s there to change?
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The truth is that cable machines have lots of nuance to them, none more significant than the difference between 1:1 and 2:1 cable machines. You might be scratching your head as to what these terms mean, so we’re going to explain everything along with each variant’s pros and cons.
1:1 and 2:1 refer to cable ratios. The ratio of your cable machine dictates how much resistance you feel at the handle.
A cable machine set on a 1:1 ratio means the weight at the handle is equal to the weight you’ve selected on the stack. 40kg of weight plates on a 1:1 machine generates 40kg of resistance when you lift it up.
The resistance you feel on a 2:1 cable machine is half of what’s selected on the weight stack. So that 40kg of weight plates we mentioned earlier would translate to 20kg of resistance.
These are the two most common types of cable machine, though 3:1 and even 4:1 options do exist. As you can guess, 3:1 cable machines generate one third of the resistance at the handle while a 4:1 setup generates a quarter.
You might be asking why someone would choose not to access their entire weight stack, but there are a number of pros and cons between the two cable ratios that should be considered.
A key difference between 1:1 and 2:1 cable machines is the amount of weight you can access.
1:1 cable machines allow you to access the entire weight stack. This is great for heavier lifts like lat pulldowns and low rows, as most advanced lifters will need more than 50kg for these exercises which a 2:1 machine is unlikely to provide.
2:1 cable machines only allow you to access half of the stack’s weight. This is unlikely to be an issue for isolation exercises like bicep curls and lateral raises, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re wanting to lift heavy on your machine.
The smoother the glide of your cable machine, the more effective it is for rehabbing injuries and performing slow eccentrics in your workouts.
1:1 cable machines sacrifice some of the smoothness in their glide in order to access the entire weight stack. While this won’t be an issue in heavy lifts where you’re pulling the cable slowly, it might be apparent in explosive movements where you want to pull the cable quickly.
2:1 cable machines boast a luxurious glide that you won’t find in 1:1 products. Not only does this provide a more premium feel, but it also lets you really squeeze your muscles at the top of movements.
Each cable machine has a different weight stack and its own increment jumps between plates.
1:1 cable machines can make it difficult to progress to the next weight. Remember, you feel the entire weight on these machines, so moving from three 5kg plates to four 5kg plates gives you a total resistance of 20kg. If you think about that for a bicep curl, it’s quite the leap. To combat this, we’ve manufactured a small 2.5kg weight plate that makes these jumps much more manageable on our 1:1 functional trainer.
2:1 cable machines provide lighter weight jumps — usually in 2.5kg increments. This is why they’re favoured for isolation exercises and gradual progression.
Since one of the most popular cable movements is the cable crossover, it’s important that you have enough travel in your cables to hit the exercises you want to.
1:1 cable machines travel in tandem with the weight stack. What this means is that, if you’ve lifted the stack up by half a meter, the cable will have travelled half a meter from the rack. For this reason you want to make sure that any 1:1 cable machine you’re considering has a tall enough weight stack to give you the room you need for cable flys, rows and any other exercise you’re looking to perform.
2:1 cable machines extend farther than their 1:1 cousins. If you lift the weight stack up by half a meter, the cable will have travelled a full meter from the rack. This gives you peace of mind that you’ll be able to perform dual cable movements with ease.
Now you're thinking! With such distinct benefits to 1:1 and 2:1 cable ratios, we decided to marry the two together in what we like to think is the ultimate cable-equipped squat rack.
Our Phase 4 flagship system has four cable pulleys across the rack: two fixed pulleys on a 1:1 ratio and two adjustable pulleys on a 2:1 ratio.
This gives you the freedom to smash your heavy lifts with the 1:1 cables mounted at the top of the rack — a godsend for lat pulldowns, trust us.
At the same time, you can have your 2:1 cables positioned anywhere on the steel upright to train unilateral or bilateral movements on a smoother glide with a longer range. Talk about hitting it all.
Clearly, there are positives and negatives to both cable ratios. To end with some closing thoughts, this is where we think the crux of the matter lies.
We hope the information here has helped your purchasing decision. Happy training!
Table of contents
In electrical work, making sure that your wiring and cables are secure, organized, and safe is the highest priority. Both trunking and conduit systems do more than just keep the cables organized. They also protect them from damage from outside sources while keeping your electrical setup neat and running efficiently. Whether you’re wiring a home or business, poor cable management will lead to potential hazards in the long run.
Choosing the right cable organizational containment system, like either Trunking or Conduit, is the two most popular choices; you need to consider factors such as the visibility of the cables, the material needed to keep wires from eroding, and compatibility with the building structure. Understanding what fits your system is important because the wrong one could cause damage, and even though Trunking and Conduit are often used interchangeably when talking about electrical wiring, they have a variety of differences.
Explore the differences between trunking and conduit, and learn about what they are, their key differences, and the pros and cons of each. Decide on which cable wire organizational system to use to keep your cables organized, safe, and protected.
For a quick look at what conduits and trunking look like, take a look at this quick video explanation from Preston College TV.
To put it simply, conduit is a type of protective tubing often used to enclose and safeguard electrical wiring from physical damage, moisture, and other environmental hazards in installations. Conduit provides a solid and sturdy path for electrical cables to pass through, making sure that it remains intact and protected over time. It’s commonly used in both commercial and industrial installations, along with residential jobs, if it requires an added warning of potential outdoor exposure or a need for more durability.
Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC), Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT), and PVC conduit each serve specific purposes based on the environment they’re being used it and their application. Each type of conduit provides benefits that cater to different wiring needs, ensuring that wiring systems remain secure and functional in a variety of environments.
Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
If you need a heavy-duty option, RMC is the one to choose. It’s made from galvanized steel to provide maximum protection even in the harshest environments. This conduit is ideal for outdoor installations, especially in industrial settings where, most often, there tends to be a lot of work happening and impact resistance is a requirement. Overall, RMC tends to be tough, bulky, and built to withstand almost everything that gets thrown at it.
Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
If you need a more lightweight, thinner option compared to RMC, check out EMT, which is often referred to by professionals as a “thin-wall” conduit. EMT is made from coated steel or aluminum making it easier to work with due to its flexibility. You’d most often use EMTs indoors in commercial buildings, providing protection without the added weight and cost of RMC.
PVC Conduit
PVC conduit, on the other hand, is different from both RMC and EMC because it’s made from plastic. Though not made from steel, it’s known for its corrosion resistance because it doesn’t rust like its metal counterparts. PVC is ideal for underground installations or areas where it’ll be exposed to water frequently. Not only does it not rust, but it’s also non-conductive, adding an extra layer to electrical setups. Overall, PVC is lightweight and affordable for residential and light commercial applications.
Trunking is another type of cable management that is designed to organize and protect electrical wires. It’s made to keep electrical wires out of the way by providing an accessible way to run cables across walls, ceilings, and floors.
Unlike conduit, which is a fully enclosed system, trunking instead is an open channel that provides electricians and other maintenance professionals with an easier way to access and manage cables after installation. For jobs that may require frequent changes or additions to the wiring like in offices, commercial spaces, or even residential areas, trunking would be the go-to solution. Trunking not only protects cables but also improves the overall appearance of wiring by keeping it hidden and organized together.
Just like Conduit, trunking has specific cable management needs. For basic, affordable setups, you’ll want something lightweight, easy to install, and resistant to corrosion, ideal for everyday residential or commercial use. In more demanding environments like industrial or construction sites, durability, fire resistance, and impact protection are top priorities, requiring heavy-duty materials to keep cables safe. If electromagnetic interference is a concern on the jobsite, systems that offer proper shielding and earthing are needed to protect against interference. In smaller spaces, a compact solution is often necessary to keep cables hidden and organized without taking up much room.
Each type of trunking addresses these needs differently and effectively.
PVC Trunking
The most common type of trunking is PVC trunking. It’s popular because of its affordability, ease of installation, and corrosion resistance. PVC trunking is set up to be flexible and lightweight making it easy to both maneuver and easily cut to fit your needs. For residential and commercial settings, PVC trunking is also widely used because of its aesthetic appeal and professional look by cleaning up the wires from out in the open. Plus, it's available in various sizes.
Steel Trunking
Steel trunking similar to RMC and EMC conduits is made for more robust environments, especially in places where fire or heavy-duty durability is a potential hazard. Made from galvanized steel, this type of trunking can be seen in industrial settings or where extra protection is needed from frequent impacts or other harsh conditions. It provides the strength of metal while maintaining the accessibility that trunking is known for. Steel trunking is the choice when protection and longevity is important.
EMC Trunking
For installations that deal with electromagnetic compatibility, EMC trunking is used to protect against interference while ensuring proper grounding. By using dedicated EMC cables, glands, and shielding, this type of trunking helps to minimize electromagnetic radiation and reduces the risk of short circuits.
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When you’re working with high-current cabling, using a trunking system that is designed for electrical applications is important to make sure that there is effective screening and protection.
Bus-Bar Trunking
Bus-bar trunking systems are designed to distribute electrical power efficiently and safely. These systems use a series of metal bars housed within a protective enclosure to carry high electrical currents. They offer a compact and reliable solution for distributing power in commercial and industrial environments. Their modular design allows for easy installation and expansion, making them suitable for buildings with evolving power needs.
Multi-Compartment Trunking
Multi-compartment trunking provides an organized way to manage and separate multiple types of cables within a single trunking system. Each compartment is dedicated to a specific type of wiring—such as power, data, or communication cables—allowing for neat and efficient cable management. This system reduces the risk of interference between different cable types and simplifies maintenance and future upgrades by keeping everything in its designated space.
Mini Trunking
Image courtesy of D-LineMini trunking is a smaller, more compact version of traditional trunking designed for discreet cable management in tight spaces. It’s commonly used in homes or small offices where the wiring needs to be hidden but doesn’t require a large, bulky system. Mini trunking is great for running cables along baseboards, under desks, or behind furniture, offering a low-profile solution that keeps things tidy without taking up much space.
Trunking is all about convenience and adaptability, perfect for installations that may require changes. It offers a flexible, organized, and visually clean way to manage cables, especially in indoor environments.
The factors to consider when choosing between conduit and trunking for electrical installations include installation steps, cost, durability, and flexibility.
Conduit, on the one hand, takes more time and skillset to install because it tends to involve more strenuous work through cutting, bending, and specialized tools, while trunking offers professionals a quicker, cut-to-fit approach that needs few tools to get the job done, making it great for projects that are finishing quickly.
When it comes to costs, conduit tends to be on the more expensive side due to the overall material costs and labor that go into installation, whereas trunking is the more budget-friendly option with lower material costs and less labor-intensive installation because of its openness.
In terms of durability and ruggedness, conduit is what’s commonly used for harsh environments because it’s able to provide advanced protection against physical damage, moisture, and fire. Trunking, on the other hand, is best suited for indoor environments like offices or homes out of the elements because it’s not fully enclosed to provide easy access to professionals.
Lastly, flexibility on jobs is important to be aware of because, depending on the project, you may need more ways to manipulate the protection for wires.
Trunking offers more flexibility and easier access for future modifications or cable additions. At the same time, conduit can be harder to modify once installed, making it less ideal for environments where frequent wiring changes can happen.
Conduit:
Requires cutting and bending
More time-consuming installation
Needs specialized tools and skilled labor
Trunking:
Simple cut-and-fit installation
Quick to install, minimal tools needed
Ideal for fast projects or minimal disruption
Conduit:
Higher cost due to materials (especially metal conduits like RMC and EMT)
Labor-intensive, leading to increased installation costs
Trunking:
More budget-friendly
Lower material costs, especially with PVC
Less labor-intensive, saving on time and money
Conduit:
Extremely durable, ideal for harsh environments
Provides strong protection from physical damage, moisture, and fire
Suitable for industrial, outdoor, or high-impact areas
Trunking:
Suitable for low-stress, indoor environments
Provides adequate protection in offices, homes, and commercial spaces
Not designed for extreme conditions or heavy impact
Conduit:
Difficult to modify or expand once installed
Adding cables or making changes requires significant effort, sometimes dismantling sections
Less suited for environments requiring frequent wiring updates
Trunking:
Easy to open and adjust wiring
Simple to add new cables or reroute existing ones
Ideal for spaces needing frequent changes, like offices or school
Industrial Settings
Conduit is the clear choice for industrial environments, where safety and durability are paramount. It’s built to handle harsh conditions and protect wiring from physical and environmental threats.
Commercial or Office Spaces
For accessibility and flexibility, trunking is ideal in commercial or office environments. Its easy access allows for frequent updates, making it perfect for areas where wiring needs may evolve over time.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Needs
When deciding between conduit and trunking, consider the balance between upfront costs and long-term maintenance. Conduit offers durability and low maintenance for long-term use, while trunking provides flexibility and cost savings, especially if frequent wiring changes are anticipated.
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