distribution spools

Keeping cables organized in racks and cabinets can be tedious, but it is well worth the effort. Nothing is worse than needing to get to a single cable having problems while trying to sort through a jumbled, unorganized mess of wires. Luckily, there are a number of options for keeping cables organized so that any repairs take minutes instead of hours.

Size is the main factor to take into consideration when looking at cable management equipment. The standard width for all racks and cabinets is 19 inches across, so that will be the size of any cable management equipment that does not say otherwise. The length of the equipment is measured in rack units (RU). A single rack unit consists of one pair of holes used to secure equipment on either side of the rack/cabinet and the space around them, measuring 1¾ inches total. When selecting cable management equipment or any other equipment, make sure to check how many RUs of space are available first.

Cable Ducts

Cable ducts are made to route, organize, and protect cables running through an open frame rack. They are fairly large, designed to run the entire length of the rack. Sizes range from 8 RU (the smallest racks made by most manufacturers) to 45 RU (the largest rack size generally available). Each cable duct has a slotted back (the slots are called “fingers”) that can be easily removed when cables need to be added, removed, or reorganized.

Cable Spools

Keeping cables secure can be something of a challenge. Running a cable across the floor is one thing, but going up a wall or leaving something hanging from a ceiling is another. Loose, dangling cables are much more likely to get damaged and just look bad. Luckily, there are a number of tools that can be used to keep wall and ceiling cables safe and secure.

Beam Clamps

Beam clamps are named for what they are able to do; these small fixtures use a screw to clamp down onto beams. The purpose of a beam clamp is to provide a spot to screw in a bridle ring or similar equipment, which is then used to actually hang cables. The average beam clamp has a ⅞” opening with a ¼-20 thread and is available in both iron and steel. Iron beam clamps can support up to a 250 lb. load while the steel version supports up to 100 lbs. There is also an extra wide version with a 3⅛” opening that supports up to 200 lbs.

Bridle Rings

Bridle rings are one of the most common tools for hanging cables and come in a few different varieties. They are metal loops, available in sizes ranging from ¾” to 4”, made to support anywhere from a single cable to a large cluster of them. Some bridle rings are threaded with machine screws and designed to be used with beam clamps or similar equipment. Other threaded units use wood screws to att