"Cable Control" Options/Systems

[britechguy]

A local assisted living facility has asked me to come in and clean up what I'll call "the rats nest" of ethernet cables and power strips with surge suppression that have built up under the two main concierge desks. After looking today, this is going to be more complicated than I had anticipated since I do not and will not even attempt to pull any new cable.

The power strips are an easy wall mount with a couple of screws. There's a UPS that I don't think I'll try to wall mount.

My main idea is to get everything up and hanging either from the underside of the wall mounted desk surface or on the wall itself right under the desk surface and out of sight that I can. What I'm trying to decide on is what is the best system for doing this that would allow for easy additions to, or removal from, the collection of cables as time goes by.

Do folks here have favorite "cable sling" systems or methods that don't involve having to do something like cutting cable ties to remove a cable or replacing them all to re-bundle and re-suspend the existing collection when a new cable might enter the picture? This has got to exist, but I have no idea what it would be called (or who makes it) and would like to have a look at what's out there before submitting a final estimate.

Any ideas?

 

[Sky-Knight]

I use Velcro wraps. Along with these patch cables: https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=15145

SO MUCH CLEANER! You can get them off Amazon easily too.

As for wraps, https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-Newlan-Adjustable-Organizer-Management/dp/B081HH5X61

Or something similar. If I need the wrap on the wall I just run a screw through it.

 

[britechguy]

@SkyKnight,

Thanks. Those velcro wraps look like just the thing.

 

[Markverhyden]

Yeah, velcro is the only way to go in my book. Drive me nuts when I come across installations where some tech, well meaning or otherwise, has used tie wraps for cable management. Every two inches and cranked down so tight it almost cuts though the outer jacket. Another option to consider, depending on the needs is, open slot raceway with a cover.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

Just use J-hooks

 

[NJW]

Another option to consider, depending on the needs is, open slot raceway with a cover.

That would get my vote. Separate runs for mains cables and others, of course.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We use J-Hooks more often then raceways. With j hooks, you can easily work, add, change, remove, modify, whatever. Just so flexible, yet...controls the cables well.

Also, we only do Velcro, I can't stand working on systems where the installer used zip ties. Ugh.

For patch panels to switches, we use the slim cables now (such as what Rob linked above from Monoprice). There are ones with full sized boots like in his link, or the micro slims...with much more compact ends....which I actually prefer for the higher density switches like when you have stacks of 48 port switches.

 

[HCHTech]

Just use J-hooks

I used D [istribution] Rings in a similar install recently - didn't have any J-hooks. More fiddly since you want to get them visually straight and you have to run the cables through them, but it wasn't that bad and definitely solved the problem.

 

[britechguy]

First, thanks to all for your suggestions.

Second, just to be clear, this is an existing "under desk" environment, and I have almost no latitude to do anything other than "tidy up" and move the cable runs such that they're hidden by the desk rather than running along the floor or spilling out in piles (cables too long) in various places.

The effort is focused on getting rid of the visual mess more than anything else.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

So..the desks may be one thing to consider when selecting the tools for this. Like, how the sides of the desks are, or if there's a long run behind them, how the desks are arranged, etc. Might be even more of a fit for j hooks under the desks...or...might warrant something which really covers them visually like raceways if things are more visually exposed and not able to be fully hidden under stuff.

Monoprice has some neat stuff to peruse through.

 

[Mercenary Roadie]

I used D [istribution] Rings in a similar install recently - didn't have any J-hooks. More fiddly since you want to get them visually straight and you have to run the cables through them, but it wasn't that bad and definitely solved the problem.

I tend to avoid D rings like I avoid bridle rings. They don't provide the flat surface to correctly support the cables like a J-hook or similar does.

 

[cypress]

Another voice for velcro straps. I hate seeing zip ties! These are the exact ones that I use.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E1Y5O6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[HCHTech]

I tend to avoid D rings like I avoid bridle rings. They don't provide the flat surface to correctly support the cables like a J-hook or similar does.

Maybe if you had a 100-cable bundle, but for a few cables, a "flat surface" vs. the round surface of a D-ring make absolutely no difference. Even with a hundred cables, you wouldn't have a single support point, there would be multiple, so I'd imagine that it wouldn't make any different there either.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Maybe if you had a 100-cable bundle, but for a few cables, a "flat surface" vs. the round surface of a D-ring make absolutely no difference. Even with a hundred cables, you wouldn't have a single support point, there would be multiple, so I'd imagine that it wouldn't make any different there either.

Oddly enough it does! But in my experience only in places where heat and time are involved. Those little copper lines will stretch and break over a 1/4in round rod. They do the same riding over the bumps in the t-grid. At least... here! My business partner out in your neck of the woods has no such problems no matter what he does! But improperly supported cables that are making the transition from a hot crawl space to a cool room here tend to only last about 72 months!

I hate D rings because I hate feeding the things... I always get the cable routed and miss one!

 

[NJW]

Even with a hundred cables, you wouldn't have a single support point, there would be multiple ...

That's just multiple pressure points – just like cable ties, which (I think) we all agree aren't generally a good idea with signal cables. They will compress over time.

 

[sapphirescales]

Drive me nuts when I come across installations where some tech, well meaning or otherwise, has used tie wraps for cable management.

I use zip ties for smaller cable management jobs, but it's important not to overtighten them. The ties should be loose enough to pull the cables through, but not the ends. I don't use the velcro wraps. Too much of a pain in the a$$. I use zip ties and cable runners/runways. I'll also use these things on occasion:

Gardner Bender 3/8 in. 1-Hole Plastic Cable Clamps (15-Pack) PPC-1538 - The Home Depot

Securely hold harnesses, cables and tubing with this tough and durable Plastic Cable Clamps from Gardner Bender. Lightweight plastic construction.

www.homedepot.com

GE Nail-In Cable Clips, For Audio, Video, or Network Cables (20-Pack) 33614 - The Home Depot

Impart an extremely superlative and functional addition to your work place by choosing this extra ordinary GE NailIn Audio Video Network Cable Clips.

www.homedepot.com

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

We stock this velcro from Monoprice, typically 18" drums of it. (below picture is a smaller drum)
I'm very fast with anything, but I can quickly cut and wrap this way faster than a zip tie, which..I can still do a zip tie faster than most.
The ease of velcro is, you can add/remove/change things MUCH easier. Which...can, and at some clients, frequently happens. VERY easy to remove, and doesn't pinch cables, and no knicked knuckles from the prior tech that most likely did NOT know how to properly twist off zip tie ends so they don't leave a sharp point causing the next tech to want to slam a telephone pole across the prior techs head.

 

[britechguy]

I favor the idea of velcro simply because I have never encountered a place where cabling remains static "forever."

And in under-desk installations in reception areas there seems to be a semi-constant flux of what's getting added or removed. I want something that allows this to occur, moving forward, with ease.

 

[Sky-Knight]

I favor the idea of velcro simply because I have never encountered a place where cabling remains static "forever."

And in under-desk installations in reception areas there seems to be a semi-constant flux of what's getting added or removed. I want something that allows this to occur, moving forward, with ease.

For everything from the wall to the machine, or from the patch panel to the equipment... yes. For everything between the patch panel and the wall plate... that's permanent! I zip tie only that stuff, as part of whatever cable support structure I'm working with in that building.

But riser rated cable uses solid conductor, whereas patch cables use braided conductor. The cable intended for in wall user can handle a zip tie! Cable intended for out of wall use can't... not to mention is as you say by nature impermanent... so Velcro!

So many places get the cable types mixed up though... and it causes so many headaches.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

For everything from the wall to the machine, or from the patch panel to the equipment... yes. For everything between the patch panel and the wall plate... that's permanent! I zip tie only that stuff, as part of whatever cable support structure I'm working with in that building.

I've worked on a lot of systems over the decades where bundles coming down out of the ceiling, across ladders, through walls, across high walls on J-Hooks...I've done a lot of add/change on those...and I'll continue to hate zips.