Panduit PWB2X18EZ 2" x 18" Electro-Zinc Steel Wire Basket
The Panduit PWB2X18EZ is a 2-inch by 18-inch electro-zinc plated steel wire basket engineered for high-density cable routing in data centers, connected buildings, and industrial automation environments. UL Classified as an equipment grounding conductor in accordance with NEC sections 392.3(C) and 392.7(B), this basket provides compliant overhead and underfloor pathway infrastructure for power, data, and control cabling where corrosion resistance and code adherence are mandatory. The electro-zinc finish delivers multi-year service life in climate-controlled IT spaces and light industrial settings, while the 2" profile maintains low overhead clearance for tight plenum runs or raised-floor applications.
Key Features
- 2" height × 18" width steel construction for structured cable pathways in data centers and industrial facilities
- Electro-zinc finish coating provides corrosion resistance in controlled indoor environments
- UL Classified for use as equipment grounding conductor per NEC 392.3(C) and 392.7(B)
- Compatible with Panduit wire basket fittings, supports, and grounding hardware ecosystem
- Low-profile 2" depth suits plenum ceiling installations and raised-floor cable distribution
- Steel construction supports high-density copper and fiber bundles without deflection
Electro-zinc plating on cold-rolled steel creates a galvanic barrier that resists oxidation and surface corrosion in temperature- and humidity-controlled spaces—the standard finish for IT rooms, telecom closets, and enclosed equipment areas where exterior-grade hot-dip galvanizing is unnecessary. The 2-inch basket depth accommodates typical Cat6A, fiber trunk, and power distribution bundles while maintaining the 4-inch minimum clearance below suspended ceilings required by many jurisdictions. At 18 inches wide, the tray matches standard 19-inch rack spacing and integrates with overhead ladder rack, vertical riser pathways, and perimeter J-hooks in structured cabling designs. UL's equipment grounding conductor classification confirms the basket's steel construction and bonding provisions meet NEC 392.7(B) for fault-current return paths, eliminating the need for separate grounding conductors when installed per manufacturer torque specs and listed hardware.
Deploy the PWB2X18EZ in data center hot-aisle containment systems, above-ceiling distribution to IDF closets, or underfloor routing between server rows and perimeter wall penetrations. The 18-inch width provides 50–60% fill capacity for approximately 120–150 Cat6A cables or equivalent cross-sectional area in fiber trunk and power whips, maintaining the NEC's 392.9 and 392.22 fill ratio limits for signal integrity and heat dissipation. Pair with Panduit's WBXC series connectors for 90-degree horizontal turns, WBRS rail supports for trapeze hanger mounting at 5-foot intervals, and WBGC grounding clamps to bond each 10-foot basket section to building steel or dedicated ground grid. The low-profile 2" height suits retrofit projects where existing ceiling clearance is constrained—office-to-datacenter conversions, modular data halls in leased space, or industrial control rooms where HVAC duct runs limit vertical room. Electro-zinc withstands typical 68–72°F / 40–50% RH conditions but is not rated for outdoor, wet, or corrosive-gas environments; specify hot-dip galvanized or stainless variants for those applications.
Panduit wire basket systems carry a manufacturer warranty and ship with installation instructions referencing NECA/BICSI-568 pathway design standards. The PWB2X18EZ's UL grounding-conductor classification, NEC-compliant construction, and compatibility with the Panduit wire-basket ecosystem make it the specified choice for integrators building or expanding structured cabling infrastructure under commercial building codes, while the electro-zinc finish and steel rigidity ensure multi-year service life in climate-controlled IT and automation environments.
