Every cable you run is a testament to the quality of your work. From the smallest job to the most sprawling installation, the job you leave behind is how the customer will remember you. This is why maintaining an organized installation is critically important to your job, and why NSI offers a complete range of cable management solutions.
Keeping cables organized has many benefits even beyond the obvious:
- Tidier workspace
- Easier troubleshooting
- Simplified rework
- Increased safety
- Looks professional
A tidier workspace makes it easy to replace wires by allowing you to easily identify which wire needs your attention. This leads to more efficient troubleshooting and makes disconnecting wires safer.
Beyond that, loose cables can be unsafe either by becoming a trip hazard or by coiling, knotting or bending, creating hot spots that can cause electrical failure or even fire. An organized workspace shows that care was taken during the installation, reflecting well on the electrician who installed those cables.
Finally, organized cables simply look better! A professional and tidy jobsite reflects the skill of the installer. For all these reasons and more, cable organization products are a key part of any electrician’s toolkit.
At NSI, we carry a variety of supply products to help organize your installations, including
- Cable ties and cable tie mounts
- Spiral wrap
- Multi-colored electrical tape
- Wire marking supplies
- Cable stackers
And all varieties of clamps, clips and conduit. No matter the task, we’ve got you covered.
Of course, wanting to keep your cables organized is only the first step. Knowing how to organize the space is just as important. Here are some simple concepts that apply across any installation, from the smallest residential job to a massive industrial project.
Firstly, consider the final design you aspire towards. Having a vision in mind helps you make the many small decisions that go into creating organization. Be consistent in your approach, using the same techniques throughout the project from beginning to end. This consistency creates an organized and understandable final product.
When planning out your install, consider the lengths and gauge of wires you’re working with, the bend radius of each turn, possible label positions and wire placements within the bundles.
It can be tempting to run wires directly to their destination, but frequently it is wiser to run them along a longer path. Leaving wires longer makes rework possible, giving the electrician extra length to trim the wire a second time. Plus, planning longer routes past all your destinations can lead to fewer bundles.
Knowing when to use each cable management solution is key. You should use cable ties—either on their own or as part of mounts—on most wires bundles that are not concealed. Using the same size, color and spacing also helps create an orderly end product.
Spiral wrap helps protect smaller cables from damage. The spiral cut allows you to route cables out of or into the bundle at any point in either direction. It is also flexible, making it a good choice for organizing cables that may move.
Electrical tape and other wire marking options make it simple to label your cables in any application. This is especially useful for cramped jobs or when you may need to rework your installation—identifying which cable needs to be replaced is much simpler if each cable is specifically labeled.
Cable stackers are a simple product that helps maintain an orderly job both during the installation and afterwards by holding cables against a stud or other nearby surface. When compared to other clips or clamps, self-securing options such as Easy-Stack™ Cable Stackers are faster to use, requiring only that you snap a cable into place to keep them out of the way.
When choosing the right product for your job, consider your needs:
- Are you supporting cables for strain relief?
- Are you insulating against the elements?
- Do you want to allow easy maintenance?
- Are you managing wires in restricted spaces?
- What level of durability is required?
Ultimately, an organized workspace is a reflection on the professionalism of the installer. Keeping cables tidy keeps everyone safe and makes it easier to do repairs and rework when needed.
When you want to do your best, you want it to be organized—and when you need the best organization, you know to trust NSI. Our broad portfolio of organizational products meet the needs of any electrical, HVAC or building technologies installer.