Enclosure Cable Managers

More Information about Cable Managers

Cable managers are often made from durable materials like steel to withstand the weight of numerous cables. The products can also be color-coded; for example, yellow might be used for caution or to identify a particular type of cable, while black or white may be more general-purpose.

One of the key advantages of using cable managers is that they make it much easier to make changes or additions to the cable setup. Without a cable manager, tracing a single cable through a rat's nest is a time-consuming task. With well-organized cable management, identifying and replacing a single patch cord or making other changes becomes a simpler, more efficient task.

Besides, well-organized cables significantly reduce the time needed for troubleshooting and maintenance. When cables are organized, the airflow is also better managed, thus improving the longevity and performance of the hardware. This is especially critical in high-density setups, where poor cable management can lead to overheating and, subsequently, hardware failure.

FAQs

What are patch cables used for in cable routing?

Patch cables are specialized cables used to connect or "patch in" one electronic device to another for signal routing. In the context of cable routing and cable management, they play a vital role in creating short and manageable connections between different types of network equipment like switches, routers, and servers, as well as patch panels.

How do you decide between vertical cable management and horizontal cable management?

In many cases, a combination of vertical and horizontal cable management is the best approach, offering the advantages of both methods. For example, vertical managers could be used for the main cable runs between racks, while horizontal managers handle the shorter connections within each rack. This hybrid approach often provides the most flexible, scalable, and efficient solution for cable management needs.

Control Panel Fabrication: Best Practices

Use a larger enclosure whenever possible.

This allows room in the panel design to properly space all of the hardware and to install larger wire ducting. Panels that have ample space tend be me more organized, while panels that have everything crammed into a small space tend to be more difficult to work in and are often less organized.

Tap holes instead of using self-tapping screws.

It is common for panel builders to use self-tapping screws to save time during the fabrication process. While it can save time, this type of fastener does not always provide the consistent, strong connection that may be needed for the mounted hardware. This is especially true when hardware may need to be removed at some point and then later reattached. Holes that have been tapped prior to hardware installation will offer a stronger, more consistent connection point that will last longer.

Ensure that wire ducting is large enough.

It is very easy to undersize wire ducting when designing a panel. It is important to always plan for wire ducting to have extra room available once all wires have been run through it, including field wires.

When in doubt, label it.

It is a very good practice to label wires in a control panel, but it is not always required to label the other types of hardware in the panel to meet code. It is important to understand that any operators that may access this panel at a later date may not understand what the hardware in the panel is intended for. To make the panel is as safe as possible, and to allow operators to function in the panel more efficiently, it is a good idea to label everything that may come into question.