Messy cables are something we see regularly whether at home or in a work environment. Cable management is used in various environments from power distribution cables for production lines, automated machinery, and safety systems to data communications, which are responsible for smoothing the running of sensitive control equipment.
What is cable management?
This is used to describe the way cabling is routed, organised, and supported. Cable management involves organising you’re cabling and connectivity hardware to make it easy to identify components and troubleshoot problems. Implementing cable management within your applications makes future upgrades and repairs easier.
The benefits of implementing cable management.
Efficiency
Having too many unorganised cables prevents identifying the problem quickly and efficiently. Organising your electrical or optical cables within the control panels will help installation in the future and help reduce downtime. Cables, and patch cables, installed in a messy or unorganized manner can lead to heat build-up. This may not result in an event of a fire but heat produces resistance which results in higher energy prices, which in the current climate is impacting many industries.
Cable markers are commonly used to label and identify cables and wires. Adding cable markers within your control panel helps to troubleshoot, repair and maintain, whilst also enhancing the safety of electrical installations. Cable markers are available in a range of sizes, colours, materials, and affixing methods including slide-on, clip-on, tie-on, self-adhesive, and heat shrink, for pre- or post-termination applications. Made from a variety of materials including PVC, self-extinguishing, halogen-free, polyolefin, polyester, vinyl, nylon, and stainless steel to meet a variety of requirements.
Safety
Within a workforce, safety is always a priority and proper cable installation is no different. Managing your cables eliminates fire and tripping hazards. Tripping over neglected cables can result in injury and serious damage to devices— both costly events. Cable ties or cable clips are the perfect solutions to fasten your cables and wires together preventing them from damage or being a hazard to users.
Easier to navigate.
Implementing cable management within your application helps cables to be manageable and helps navigate cords throughout your work environment. This helps troubleshoot the process, allowing you to quickly point out any obvious cable issues. Not only does it help troubleshoot but it also improves productivity as downtime is reduced to attempt to differentiate cords.
Cable wraps or sleeves are the ideal solutions to bundle your cables, which keeps them organised and prevents them from being damaged. Cable sleeves/ wrap also referred to as braided sleeving, is designed to protect cables from external factors whilst optimising space.
Improves performance of systems
Within industrial control panels, control, and power wires have various issues such as interference and crosstalk, which will further lead to inconsistent data transfer and potentially severe losses. An efficient wire and cable management strategy help differentiate these data and power cables to avoid the risk of interference.
High-performance, quality-assured industrial cables can help minimize risk to automation and process control applications. This ensures reliability within industries where reducing unplanned maintenance is a priority.
Implementing cable glands within your cables and wires, to help protect your electrical equipment. Cable glands act as a sealing and terminating device, to protect equipment and enclosures from dust and moisture, as well as protect cables from being pulled or twisted.
Additionally, using cable management solutions like cable conduit within your applications can be a great benefit. A cable conduit is used for cable management systems where current needs to be carried between multiple devices and terminals. A good reason to choose conduit, trunking, and protective cable sleeving in environments such as potentially hazardous areas, and outdoor environments (e.g., moisture, extreme temperatures, etc).
Overview
In conclusion, cable management help prevent unwanted downtime and reduces the risk of an accident occurring. Cable management has many benefits that users can gain from, whether this is sourcing an issue to having an easy installation process while making the work environment safe for users. Additionally, cable management helps improve productivity as well as the system's performance in transferring data.
Here at CCA, we understand the importance of good cable management in order to make a safe work environment whilst making your systems run smoothly and efficiently. That is why stock some of the leading manufacturers within the automation and control industry.
Our product ranges from cable accessories including cord ends, cable ties, glands, cable markers, sleeving, and banding will help to ensure you are meeting all safety standards.
Contact CCA today to learn more about our cable management products and services. We can help you choose the right products for your needs and create a custom cable management solution for your facility
