Connection cables are a standard part of any office technology. Ethernet cables keep internal networks connected, communications cabling is used for phone systems, and then you have a wide variety of electricity cables used to power everything up.
Low voltage cabling, also known as structured wiring, is also used extensively in buildings as a network foundation for a wide variety of digital technology. It’s used for everything from Wi-Fi to security systems.
Without good cable management, you can end up with a mess that is not only unsightly, but also dangerous.
Tripping over poorly managed cables is the 2nd most common cause of injury in the workplace.
When planning your technology support, such as managed IT services, it’s important that your Charlotte area business also consider cable management. This includes things like having a professional properly run low voltage cable and perform wiring closet cleanup. (Two things that Rocky Knoll Technologies does)
Why is it so important to have good cable management?
Here are several reasons why it’s vital to keep all your various cables properly managed and maintained.
Office Safety
It’s important to mitigate the potential for workplace injuries for employees and customers. With tripping over cables being the second most common reason for injuries on the job, it’s an area that many businesses need to address.
Cords that aren’t responsibly managed or mounted out of the way, can be easily stumbled over or cause something on wheels, like a cart full of packages, to snag and tip over.
Cables that are tangled can also cause an overheat situation. When cables are tangled up and unmanaged it is much easier to miss cord damage that can result in a spark that leads to a fire.
Proper cable management involves adding things like wire guides and cable loom tubing that keeps cabling up off the floor where possible and prevents cords becoming tangled.
Cord Protection
If you have cabling on the floor that is subject to foot traffic, it can easily become crushed and damaged if not properly protected. This can lead to slowdowns in equipment performance and other problems, depending upon the cord type.
You can also end up having to replace expensive cabling far before you should due to damage.
This can be prevented by having a professional install floor cable covers that are designed to stand up to foot traffic and protect cords from damage. This increases the lifespan of the cabling and maximizes their performance.
More Visually Appealing Environment
When you have cords running from computers, printers, phones, and other equipment that aren’t effectively managed, it can leave your office or retail establishment looking unsightly.
When cables are professionally managed, they’re tucked out of the way in attractive cable tubes that can be matched to your wall color to make it as unobtrusive as possible.
Cable management gives you a much more organized and cleaner looking business environment.
Better Cable Performance & Efficiency
When cables are tangled up, this can cause them to lose some of their efficiency. Just imagine when your garden hose is tangled. The water doesn’t come out with as much force as when it’s laid out flat.
Cable management keeps cables from being tangled, crimped, twisted, and crisscrossed with one another, which improves cable performance.
Cables are also properly labeled so someone doesn’t spend unnecessary time trying to trace a cable back to a source when doing repairs or moving equipment. This also helps avoid problems when the wrong cable is unplugged because of difficulty telling one cable from another.
Improved Airflow
When you have multiple cables and equipment together, such as those in a network equipment closet, lack of airflow from poorly managed cabling can result in components overheating, causing equipment malfunctions.
Network hardware can be damaged from excess heat, which can be caused by cables trapping air, causing stagnation around the hardware.
Cable management keeps this from happening, so you don’t end up with a nest of unorganized cords. Cables that are organized with ties allow for plenty of air space around them, facilitating better air flow in small spaces and less chance of equipment overheating.
Improved Internet Performance
Many offices use ethernet cabling to bring fast internet speeds and better bandwidth to some devices. If you have that cable in a tangle or subject to being partially disconnected by being walked on, you can end up with poor internet speeds that are slower than they should be.
Keeping that cable well-managed and out of the way of interference, can ensure you’re getting the top speeds that you should.
Have Your Cabling Handled By Rocky Knoll Technologies
Our well-trained staff can help you keep your office cabling well managed, organized, and efficient. We offer low voltage cable and wiring closet cleanup to ensure better safety and performance of your technology.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. Call 704.594.7292 or reach us online.
