From Rack to Room, the 3 Functions of Cable Management Products

If masses of cables are threatening to take over your data center, IT closet, or network rack, there are plenty of products to get them under control − in fact, there are so many cable management devices on the market, it might be hard to find the ones that would best serve you. To simplify, below we divide cable management products into the three basic functions they serve:

• Rack cable managers attach to an enclosure’s rack rails to organize and direct cables running in and out.
• Room cable managers are wire-mesh trays that carry cables through a room or from room to room, as well as wall-mount D-rings and cable claws.
• Cable protectors are rack-mount lacer bars and strips that serve as strain relief, as well as grommets that provide a smooth edge for cables passing through enclosure openings.

Following is more on these three product categories, with examples drawn from ShowMeCables’ 150+ cable management solutions.

1. Rack Cable Managers

• Single D-Rings: Rack-mount D-rings neatly gather cables and direct them away from the front of the rack so you can see the front panels of your components. The advantage of a D-ring over a zip tie or Velcro strip is that it makes it easier to find and move one cable within a bundle.
• Cable Ducts: Cable ducts mount vertically to one or both rack rails and neatly conceal cables as they direct them away from the front of the rack and up or down. Feed-through holes along the entire length of the back side of the duct lets cables enter and exit at any point.
• Vertical Cable Managers: Vertical cable managers essentially do the same job as cable ducts, directing wires up and down the front or rear of a rack, but they have a more open design.
• Horizontal Cable Managers: These products support and direct cables away from equipment racks. Popular choices are D-ring panels, horizontal cable trays, and hinged cable managers that both conceal cables from view and provide strain relief. There are also many types of horizontal panels with finger-shaped openings and variations in depth capacity and ways to access the inside of the panel. A great example is the line of patented Neat-Patch bays that let you stow excess patch-panel cable into a 6-inch-deep space without having to use cable ties.
• Cable Spools: An empty cable spool is a great way to keep excess lengths of cable from taking over a room. It mounts to a rack for use in spooling the excess cable – and unspooling it as more length is needed.

2. Room Cable Managers

• Wire Mesh Cable Trays and Accessories: Wire mesh cable trays route and protect network cable, communications wiring, and electrical wire throughout buildings. The rugged but light cable trays are mounted on walls, ceilings, or under raised floors to provide an orderly path of connectivity for anywhere from dozens to thousands of cables, depending on the depth and width you choose. One benefit is that they protect your cables without enclosing them, which reduces heat buildup.
• Wall-Mount Cable Claws: One of the best ways to keep your unused patch cables close at hand and in a small space is with a cable claw. It holds dozens of cables neatly, within view for quick retrieval, and under no strain.
• Single D-Rings: Look for D-rings that can be mounted to either a rack or a wall. Wall-mount D-rings direct cables vertically or horizontally throughout a room.

3. Cable Protectors

• Lacing Bars and Strips: Lacing bars are strain relief for cables where they enter a rack, to prevent extreme bending. How far a bar extends from a rack face determines a cable’s bending angle. Popular options include solid round lacing bars, lacing bars with slots to secure cables with ties, and patch-panel cable management bars to mount on the back of 110-type patch panels for rear cable support. Lacing strips mount vertically or horizontally to a rack rail and you can attach bunches of cables to it with Velcro straps or zip ties for strain relief and to organize cable routing.
• Cable Grommets: A rubber grommet is placed over a round hole in an enclosure to protect cables from the sharp edge of the hole as they pass through. They come in several different sizes to fit typical hole diameters, or you can get a roll of grommet material and cut it to fit a hole of any size.

Cable Management Product Categories

ShowMeCables’ cable management solutions are in stock and available with same-day shipping, and in-stock products ordered before 5 p.m. ET ship the same day. If you have any questions about our cable management products, contact our U.S.-based customer service at +1 (888) 519-9505, email us, or chat.