If you’re running electrical devices, whether it’s in a home theater setup or a server room at a large business, then cabling is something to which you’ll want to devote considerable attention.

Effective cable management will help you to reduce stress levels, increase efficiency, and make the space safer, too. An especially important consideration is how you’ll protect the cables themselves. After all, cables that become damaged can lead to disruptive transmission problems – and they can often become dangerous.

Covering exposed cables

Cables can be protected in a range of ways. You might use braided sleeving to keep smaller cables organized. Heat-shrink tubes can perform the same function and are particularly useful in cables that you know aren’t going to be changed.

If you know that cables are going to be running across busy areas, like office and factory floors, then covering them with mats might be essential. These will not only prevent cables from being damaged – they’ll also help to prevent trips and falls.

Safety in connecting cables

Cable connectors come in many different varieties. You’ll want to think about what’s appropriate for your space. When connecting two wires, you might simply solder them together and bind the result with insulating tape. If you’re threading a group of cables through a hole in a table or cabinet, then protecting the edges with the right electrical grommet can reduce wear and tear on the cable itself.

Proper storage for cables

You’ll need your cables to be stored appropriately. Put simply, the more often they’re flexing, and the more dramatically, the shorter their lifespans will be. Cables should ideally be fastened to walls. If you have cables running into the back of a monitor that’s being constantly moved, then you might tie them to the rear, such that they’re not hanging loose and placing strain on the socket.

When not in use, cables should not be tied into knots. Instead, keep them in a reel, and store them in racks. If you’re looking for cable storage solutions for the home, then you might think about first clearing out any cables you don’t need. In many cases, the technical advantages of an ethernet cable are outweighed by the convenience (and decluttering potential) of a wireless connection.

Once you’ve got your collection of cables down to the essentials, you can think about how you’ll efficiently route and store them. Labeling or color coding your cables can help you to more quickly troubleshoot problems, and make cabling a little more manageable. Above all, make sure that you’re not simply dumping cables in a spare drawer, to be untangled later. In doing this, you’re creating problems for yourself, rather than solving them.