"Cable Control" Options/Systems

[Markverhyden]

I long ago lost count of all the different places I've been in. But one thing that seems to be consistent is the places using velcro tend to be better setup and organized. I do know that some companies require velcro for bundling/organizing cables, Biogen and Apple are two that come to mind that I've done work for.

I'll use zip ties in lieu of j-hooks etc up in the ceilings/attic space etc for cable run support.

 

[britechguy]

But one thing that seems to be consistent is the places using velcro tend to be better setup and organized.

Not a surprise, really. Ease of making changes is very often what determines whether "tidy and organized" stays that way or not.

When it comes to cables, adding one more to a run contained by velcro straps is just dirt simple and doesn't require any tools for cutting zip ties or new zip ties, either.

 

[Sky-Knight]

Yeah, but you aren't running a new cable without tools, so I don't see the toolless idea here being much help.

 

[britechguy]

Yeah, but you aren't running a new cable without tools, so I don't see the toolless idea here being much help.

But it's not all about me, and what I'm doing on that one day - which is the point. The need to create something that's easy for anyone to change over time is my goal. Those desks aren't likely ever going anywhere (they're built-in) and the probability that the cabling will remain static in perpetuity is virtually zero.

I always appreciate it when I find that a previous technician (or mechanic - when it comes to cars) had arranged things such that the next person who has to work on a given thing has the easiest time with it when they do.

 

[Sky-Knight]

But it's not all about me, and what I'm doing on that one day - which is the point. The need to create something that's easy for anyone to change over time is my goal. Those desks aren't likely ever going anywhere (they're built-in) and the probability that the cabling will remain static in perpetuity is virtually zero.

I always appreciate it when I find that a previous technician (or mechanic - when it comes to cars) had arranged things such that the next person who has to work on a given thing has the easiest time with it when they do.

I understand that, but it takes me less time to remove 10 zip ties than it does to unwind 10 velcro wraps. Electrician scissors are magic. I still prefer the latter for anything that's inside a room somewhere though. Because all too often fingers are all you have to work in there.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I'm guessing some people wrap tons of length in velco...when I see people say "Takes too long to wrap velcro"...or..."takes too long to unwrap velcro".

I know we're all committed to our ways and won't change, but I've seen someone mention that before, and I'm thinking to myself "how does it take longer?". Granted I'm getting into my upper 50's and I'm not in my prime, but back in the day of my prime...I could belt out terminating custom made short patch cables with the best of them, organize/bundle...and velcro wrap in the blink of an eye. And when it comes time to redo something..unwrap that velcro really quickly..in the blink of an eye. I'm fast with a knife and scissors too...so it's certainly not slow at all cutting those damn strangling zip ties. I'd really call it a dead even race. And I don't have to add further time picking up those zip tie parts that fell on the floor. And I can re-use my velcro!

 

[Markverhyden]

Yeah, but you aren't running a new cable without tools, so I don't see the toolless idea here being much help.

It's not the tools it's the mess. Velcro is almost certainly being reused. Tie wraps? Cutting each old one, then trimming the tail on the new one and having to clean all that up. And it's not just new/additional cable runs. Was at a hotel this morning troubleshooting a pool phone problem. Had to trace, about 5 feet, one Amphenol cable from one of the Mitel cabinets to find the block it was terminated on so I could punch down the pool phone. The PBX installers had, in their finite wisdom, tie wrapped the entire bundle, every 6", so tight it almost cut through the outer jacket but couldn't take the few minutes to bother labeling which port each block was using. Had to cut it all loose. But to each their own.

 

[Sky-Knight]

@Markverhyden The issue there is tension, not the materials. I mean I agree with you that I prefer velcro. I'm just saying that I understand the zip ties, because they're quick.