The Essential Guide to Commercial Cable Management Solutions

Regardless of the commercial enterprise, reasons for seeking solutions for managing cables are remarkably diverse, from supplying network access within an office building to providing electricity to a remote film set. The primary purpose of cable management systems involves maintaining a safe environment for workers while protecting the cabling itself. Choosing the best cable management system largely depends on the application.

Choosing the Best Cable Management System

Essential to many businesses, cable management systems are used across many industries. The list of places where cable management systems are nearly endless includes airports, classrooms, conference centers, construction sites, data centers, healthcare facilities, movie sets, office buildings, municipalities, retail stores, telecommunication companies, warehouses, and workstations of all types. Cable management systems are essential tools to bring cabling for electricity or other purposes to where it’s needed. Poor management in any application can lead to damaged cabling and dangerous working conditions, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits an application.

In-Place Cable Management Systems

In-place cable management systems are inflexible, so they may not be the right choice for many commercial settings or applications. Yet if the need for electrical or other cabling won’t require mobility, this type of cable management will normally be adequate to meet the needs of a business. However, these cable management systems are difficult and time-consuming to alter.

Implements for in-place cable management systems include: 

• Cable bushings: These protect wiring from damage from abrasion, while the added insulations help prevent short-circuiting.  
• Cable clamps: These clamps support smaller cables while defining a route for cabling within an enclosure, instrumentation, wall, or other structure that can house cables.
• Cable clips: Securing longer cables running between components these can be used to run longer cables along walls or other flat surfaces.
• Cable glands: Also known as cord grips, allow cables to pass through them to a controller or partition; they relieve strain by controlling how the cabling bends and preventing it from being pulled out.
• Cable tie mounts: These mounting devices provide a secure base for cable ties that can mount cabling on most types of structures while also routing them away from moving components.
• Cable tray: Usually attached to the underside of a work surface, these store cables, wires, power strips, and other equipment in an easy-to-access location.
• Cable twist ties: Used for routing cables within enclosures like panel boards, cable twist ties are more flexible than many solutions for cable management systems.
• Cable wrap: Cable sleeves wrap around and bundle cabling to organize cables while preventing damage.
• Heat-shrink tubing: This requires a hot gun to shrink plastic tubes around cables to form an additional casing; heat-shrink tubing protects the electrical connection while relieving strain.
• Wire management box: Secured under a desk or other work surface, these boxes are similar to cable trays but keep cabling out of view.

Because of their inflexibility, these cable management systems can only be moved and altered with great difficulty. However, in-place cable management systems can be used more flexibly to manage cables, like cord caddies or cable reels. 

Cord Caddy Cable Management Systems

Though not every cord caddy is the same, cord caddies can range from simple devices on which extension cords are hung when not in use to more complicated cable management systems involving reels. Though not necessarily portable, many cord caddy cable management systems offer this capability while keeping cabling from tangling. The more complex cord caddy solutions permit users to wind cabling around cable reels to be transported to where they are needed while also enabling adjustments to the length of cable needed.

Some cord caddies even have built-in compartments or dividers for storing and managing multiple cables. Clips, ties, or other mechanisms used for in-place cable management systems are often used to keep cables in place when stored to keep them from unraveling. Certain cord caddies will even have color-coded sections or other means for labeling the cables, which is useful when needing to separate cords according to functionality, length, or other factors.

The compact design of cord caddies allows for their use as either stationary or mobile solutions for cable management. Systems like these sometimes feature adjustable slots or holders that accommodate various cable lengths and gauges. More advanced designs may even have power strips or USB hubs that enable multiple devices to be plugged into them. Many even have protective enclosures that protect cabling from contamination or damage to ensure cleaner, more efficient, and safer cable management. Systems involving cord caddies are often used with reels to provide greater flexibility.

Best practices for using cord reels in cable management systems include: 

• Any cabling or reel without specific cold temperature markings should be stored indoors.
• Any cabling without insulation from ultraviolet light (such as with UV-resistant jackets) should be stored away from direct sunlight.
• Areas where flying objects may damage reels or cabling should be avoided as places for storing cord reels.
• Avoid direct contact with soil or water to avoid contamination or damage to reels and cabling.
• Cable reels should only be stored in areas within the recommended temperature range.  
• Cables and reels with cabling should be stored away from heat sources to prevent damage.
• Direct contact with chemicals and petroleum products should be avoided for reels and cabling.
• Electrical cabling requires adequate ventilation, so nothing should cover reels except for the plastic sheathing above the cable.
• For any cabling stored outside, ends should be sealed to avert damage from moisture.
• If stored on dirt surfaces, reels should be elevated to prevent damage from damp conditions, especially for reels made from wood.
• Keep any labels or markings on drums for reels used for laying cabling until all cables have been completely used.
• Mechanisms should be implemented to keep the reels from moving out of position.
• Protective coverings or laggings should be used to protect reels from moisture.
• Reels should be stored on hard surfaces with barriers to prevent them from rolling.
• Stacking reels may damage cables, so it should be avoided.
• Storage areas for reels with indoor cabling must always be indoors.
• Sufficient space – about six inches (15 cm) – should be kept between each reel to help prevent damage to reels or cabling.
• To prevent stress on layers of cabling, reels should be stored upright.

Procedures should also be in place for inspecting, labeling, maintaining, tracking, and caring for the cable. Management systems that use cable reels can help reduce or prevent accidents and downtime while augmenting efficiency. 

Reel Cable Management Systems

Cord reel systems are the most flexible type used for cable management. However, systems like these require that workplaces implement best practices to ensure cabling and reels aren’t damaged during storage or when transported. Yet, like any cable management system, whether in-place or mobile, it’s important to ensure the cable is properly wound, transported, stored, and otherwise handled.

Types of Cable Reels 

Numerous types of reels are used for storing cabling and transporting it to where it’s needed. Depending on the application, these have various features and are made from different materials. Cable reels can carry copper wiring, extension cabling, fiber optic cables, or other types of cabling.  

Common types of reels used in cable management systems include: 

• Steel cable reels: Used mainly by the cable and wire industry, these reusable, heavy-duty storage reels are used mainly for transporting and storing heavier cabling.
• Retractable cord reels: Used for bringing electricity to places for a multiplicity of applications, these allow easy extension and retraction of cabling so that only the length of cabling needed is exposed.
• Plastic cable reels: Made from recyclable plastic and able to be used repeatedly, these reels are made to carry fiber optic and other lightweight cabling.
• Custom cord reels: Some companies manufacture custom cable management systems with custom reels, colors, lighting, locking mechanisms, multiple electrical outlets, and other unique features.

To learn more about cable management systems – especially those that involve custom and retractable cable reel solutions – contact the cable reel experts at Alert Reel today.