Collections of Cable Manager for Rack

Introduction

Long before the born of cable manager, the mess cable management with cables hanging here and there has been a cloud over the data center and server room. How can you realize each smooth and convenient operation on your network application with network cables looking like messy spaghetti? Here we list four common cable managers to simplify your cabling and minimize the trouble during operation.

Different Types of Cable Manager

The following cable managers which you may have heard of or seen before are the most popular types in the market. Each has its unique design and characteristics.

Cable Manager with Brush Strip

The panel is designed to be mounted on any 19in EIA style rack or cabinet and features built-in brush that allows passage of up to 25 cables while blocking airflow, ensuring optimal thermal performance. The steel construction provides durability, resists corrosion, and keeps your rack looking smooth and professional.

Cable Manager with Finger Duct

The FS.COM finger duct horizontal cable manager is designed with flexible fingers, rear pass-through holes and a removable cover. The soft and durable finger ducts offer proper bend radius and flexible operation of cable management, keeping the structured cabling system unhurt and totally functional.

Cable Manager with D-rings

The name of D-rings cable manager originates from the fact that five metal D-rings stand vertically on the cable management panel in a good order. Horizontal cable management panels with D Rings are built with steel for strength and durability. Easily route large amounts of cable through robust rings. The D-Rings organize patch cords and maintain a required bend radius. They are available in sizes of 1U and 2U.

Cable Manager with Bend Radius Finger

This cable manager is equipped with six or five bend radius control fingers, consuming much fewer material. The total length of it is 222mm. Light in weight, this type of bracket can be installed in specific areas of the rack, rather than along its entire height. Moreover, it can be stacked to reach any height(U), so it can be an alternative of higher vertical cable management.

How to Apply Cable Manager

Cable managers often come together with patch panel to make the patch cables in the front side of patch panel more orderly. Generally, in a server rack, the cable can’t either be put solely on cable manager since it is incompetent for termination, or be applied to just a patch panel due to its imperfect cable management. Therefore, to realize the perfect cable management, we need to deploy this couple at the same time. The cables going out from the patch panel have already gone through the management process, but it should go to the next cable manager installed above or below the patch panel, so that the whole cable management can be finished. Additionally, some people will need the further step to bring the cables that are from horizontal cable management to the vertical cable managers standing at the both sides of the cabinet.

Conclusion

Never look down upon cable management, otherwise the cables haphazardly thrown around will be your nightmare. In case it damages the wires and cause other hazards, now it’s time to arrange your cables properly. FS.COM has many kinds of cable managers to help make your life neater!

Dos & Don’ts of Cable Management

Just imagine how would you feel when you face cable spaghetti? You must say, “oh, it’s very annoying.” Yes, that’s right. Improper cabling can bring disadvantages like heat retention, untimely hardware failure and maintenance headaches. So how to avoid cable spaghetti and keep network cabling in a good organization?

Since cable management is one of the most important factors of data center design, it’s necessary to master some cabling skills. The following content will give you some suggestions for cabling installation.

Don’t Pull Fiber Jumper Cables too Hard

When installing cables, pulling issue can’t be avoided. Pulling cables too hard can damage them by stressing the core. Stressing the core will affect the signal performance. In extreme cases, it will cause unwinding of the twists in the sheath. Under this situation, you should better buy high quality patch cords from reliable manufacturers or vendors. Good patch cords are able to withstand the stress. Because cheap cables have sub-standard sheathing and narrow diameter cores which can cause signal loss. A smaller core is also more fragile and weak, more likely to bend, leading to an increased rate of cable failure.

Don’t Ignore Labels

Cable labels are very likely to be ignored by engineers. After finishing cable installation, they always think they can remember every cable type, including the network cables, power cables, patch cables, etc. Things doesn’t happen like you wish. Your memory will disappear as time goes on. Thus, you should not overlook labeling which can help you identify cables in a short time and leave messages to other installers to easily decipher what goes back.

Don’t Forget Cable Ties

Cable ties are cheap and useful to get a clean look of your data center. Today there are many categories in different sizes with many colors. Nylon and Velcro ties are the most two common kinds. Velcro ties are better than plastic ties because they are easy and quick to add, remove and reusable. Nylon cable ties can put mush stress on cable bundles and cause pressure points on the cable jacket, changing the cable geometry and thus decreasing performance. What’s more, Velcro ties can be cut easily to any length you need.

Measure the Exact Cable Length You Need

Usually it says the longer, the better. But it’s another case for network cabling. Improper cable length often causes cable mess. Suppose you have bought 50m patch cable. However, you just use 20m. Then how to deal with the spare 30m cable? Just leave it alone? Of course not. So you’re advised to measure the exact cable length you need. Custom cable is the best solution for you to get the right length.

Leave Space for Cables Trays

What if very long cables are left in your network system? You may consider to put the cables into the cable trays. But it’s not a good idea. Cable trays should not be overloaded. Suspended cable trays are mounted to a rack or something. If it’s too heavy, the cable trays may fall off and break other expensive things. Too many cables is not only safety problem, but also leads to poor operational practices because it’s too hard or fear of disturbing cables. What’s worse, the cables at the bottom of cable try may be crushed and degrade signal propagation.

Choose a Proper Cable Manager

Cable manager is an economical and efficient solution to manage high density structured cabling in data centers and telecommunication rooms, which allows the maximum amount of cables to be organized in a minimum amount of space. Choose the best cable manager which suits the most for your application. Simple or complex cable manager, vertical or horizontal, plastic or metal, one must meet your requirements for network cable management improvement.

Conclusion

Cable management is not an easy work. Some engineers may not take cable management seriously or they don’t care much if there is a little mess. But the improper operation can cause lots of problems. To achieve neat cabling, too many things must be taken into consideration. And some useful tools and equipment are also required. Come to find a perfect cabling solution in FS.COM.

Originally published at www.fiber-optic-equipment.com