Managing Cables in Your Workplace

Published: 05/03/2024

In the era of innovations, cables are still needed to keep the world wired. What you want is not to see them, they should be hidden away in a way that can keep you and your staff safe. The solution is to organise, organise, organise! To make the most of cable management read the below RND Guide.

5 steps to organise cables in your workplaces

Does this image look familiar? In the new world of hybrid working and hot desking it probably can be found more and more. RND has a solution to help combat the disorganisation, offering everything from clamps and clips, ties, cord guides, wraps, cable covers and organisers.

Managing your cables couldn’t be easier with RND, a brand that has a wide range of cable protectors and accessories to help you choose the best solutions and keep your working environment safe. RND provides solutions that can help you find the right fix for your unorganised wires, regardless if you are looking for under-desk solutions, or need to secure cables with ties, to covering visible cables that run along the floor, RND has you covered.

Discover different types of cable protection and put your safety first.

1. Protect exposed cables with floor cable cover

Cable covers or conduits are used to protect exposed cables, providing quality by reducing electromagnetic interference. Without protection, wires would be at risk of damage or disconnection. Cable covers also protect users from any physical or electrical hazard.

Floor cable conduits from RND are made from soft PVC, which makes them more flexible and they can be cut to the required length for temporary wiring or permanent applications. They are perfect for indoor use, and their design lends them to fulfilling their admirable goal. They are a well-liked choice for basic cable management by all.

Note: There are conduits for all types of scenarios such as metal bases which are commonly used in factories for general wiring and machine connections. Check out the best and most cost effective way to suit your cable locations.

2. Avoid tripping over unsecured cables with cable clamps

One of the safest ways to handle circuit systems is to run wiring around walls so as not to cause hazards. Cables should be kept running in a straight line where possible to stop heat spots building and allow data to run freely. Using cable clamps with nails securely attached to a wall help you ensure that the wire is as straight as possible and kept out of sight.

3. Hide your cords with desk cable organisers

All PCs, laptops, monitors and phones need cables from power sockets, but the key is to keep them tidy on the floor and covered under the desk. By using RND under desk cable organisers you can ensure that under desk cables are kept safe and prevent tangling. They are easy to install and offer enough room for power strips, network, and computer cabling.

4. Route cables from the bundle with cable wraps

The two most frequent types of cable wraps are spiral wrap tubing and slit harness wrap. This enables you to route cables in whatever way you like. The re-routed bundle can also be wrapped in spiral cable wrap. Its structure and design make it incredibly adaptable. It’s great for robotic applications that require cables to flex and move.

RND provides spiral wrap tubing for cable assembly in a logical manner that is durable and reusable, with spiral strength retained. They have bands that can easily follow wire paths thanks to their flexible structure.

5. Secure bundles of wires with cable ties

Cable ties are the most popular managing cable solutions because they are really functional. They are used to organise all kinds of cables, such as those used with a computer, entertainment system, or network. From RND you can buy stainless steel, hook and loop and nylon cable ties.

Cable ties are available in different sizes, materials and colours and come in different types:

1. Marker cable ties – a typical cable tie with a tag on which you can write. It helps identify your cables.
2. Plastic cable ties – the most common, available in a wide range of sizes, colours, and materials.
3. Heavy-duty cable ties – heavy cable bundles are perfect for outdoor applications.
4. Releasable cable ties – possible to utilise them more than once.
5. Belt cable ties – having a mechanism for fast release.

By guiding cables and conductors away from moving parts, cable tie mounts can help safeguard them from harm. Conductor bundles can be protected from pinch points generated by weatherproof outer cabinet doors and hinges. 

The material used for the mount should always be suitable for the environment in which it will be utilised. Most cable tie mounts are made of nylon, which is a typical material that is robust, durable, and resistant to heat and chemicals. Some cable tie mounts include stainless steel. Masonry cable tie mounts, for example, are designed to be installed in block or concrete walls.

RND, besides cable ties and cable tie mounts, also provide cable tie assortments that are halogen free and are typically used for electrical cabling applications.

Benefits of organising and managing cables

If you are not convinced yet why it is so important to properly organise cables in your workplace, we highlighted some of the main benefits of cable managing:

• Improved safety – organising the cords for your equipment ensures that everything continues to operate well. Poor cable organisation puts wires in danger, and any cables flowing all over the workstation are extremely dangerous.
• Saved money and time – effective cable management can extend the life of your cables and eventually reduce costs.
• Improved maintenance and productivity – inefficient cable management might reduce productivity because it takes time to untangle them. Regularly removing unused cables and organising them simply improves maintenance.
• Reduced signal interference – inductive coupling between parallel groups or loops of data and power wires can produce electromagnetic interference (EMI) that might result in data transmission mistakes over these wires. Using cable management can assist in lowering the likelihood of EMI by segmenting and separating power lines from data cables. 
• Cleaner working environment – organising cables makes the workplace more enjoyable as it eliminates any mess that could distract and it is simpler to clean a space that’s not cluttered.
• More professional impression – neat cable management gives off a more professional impression, so your workplace looks better to your clients.

*Do not forget

Working with electronics and power sources can cause some potential hazards. People frequently undervalue electricity’s capacity to harm but even just a regular household current (230 volts in EU) can cause damage and may even cause your heart to stop. Putting paper on cords, wrapping them tightly or hiding under the carpet might lead to overheating or even fire. Therefore, unless you are a certified electrician, you need to know some electrical safety basics.

In Europe, the low voltage directive (LVD) (2014/35/EU) ensures that electrical equipment that falls within specific voltage ranges offers European residents a high degree of protection and takes full use of the single market.

There are also other legislations that ensure the safety of wiring. Depending on the country you are in, it might slightly differ. Make sure that you and your personnel are aware of the voltages and other rules before working with cables or wires. 

FAQs

What is a cable management system?

The term “cable management” is used to describe how cabling is supported, routed, and structured. This entails setting up your connecting devices and cabling in a way that makes it simple to identify individual parts and troubleshoot issues. This keeps your IT areas professional while making future updates and repairs easy.

Why is cable management important?

Besides establishing a tidy and aesthetically pleasant workplace, cable management also helps prevent danger, as tangled cables, unused wires or old plugs, etc., can cause overheating or make maintenance more difficult. Maintaining basic performance and protecting the devices from obstructed airflow caused by unkempt and unorganised connections is crucial. Untangling cables or wires can be irritating and time-consuming.

Can bad cable management cause a fire?

The main reason for cable management is to ensure safety. The risk of fires exists if wires are not managed properly. If cables are not properly secured, they are more likely to become disorganised and tangled, which increases the chance of damage and increases the fire risk for the devices attached to defective wiring.

How to organise cables under the desk?

You probably try to figure out how to organise perfect desk management, as choosing desk cable management solutions might be difficult. This is why we prepared a 5 steps guide to help you with organising your desk and under desk wires. Have a look now and choose the best products to tidy up your desk quickly.

Why should cables be kept away or covered?

Poor cable management creates dangers, such as the possibility of tripping, and makes cables more susceptible to damage. Poor cable management poses risks to everyone working as they are pretty much everywhere, whether it is charging your laptop or phone, or are used in the office, factory or data centre.

How to organise long cables?

Whether you need to cover long cables on the floor, the floor cable conduits might be the solution, or if you need to tie them up together, cable ties will be perfect.

How to cable management server rack?

Even though organising your cables in a rack isn’t necessary for basic functionality, it is worth trying to make your rack look professional, and you will be able to access the internal rack components easier. Start by measuring the distance between connections. Then sort your cords by the colour that helps you distinguish between various cable kinds. Label the cable ends on both sides. All wires should be run through the rack’s sides. Make an expansion plan and employ cable combs.

Is it worth investing in cable management products?

Some consumers wonder if cable management products are really worth an investment. But one of the best choices you can make is to ensure that your workspace appears organised. Despite your best efforts, keeping everything organised might be difficult when there are several devices and wires tangling under desks or behind the machines. Choose RND, a brand that offers compliant, reliable and high-quality products.