Daily, we use mobile phones, laptops, chargers, and other electrical gadgets that have us caught in the cluttered world of wires, cables, and cords. Unknowingly, the disarray of these wires affects our productivity dismally. It is time for some serious wire management efforts.
Wire management is the process of organizing cables and wires in one’s space and storing them properly.
Cleaning, organizing, and storing wires properly and regularly seems challenging to achieve, but it offers plenty of benefits. Learning how to arrange and manage wires may lessen possible injuries and even free up some space the wires unnecessarily occupy. Further, proper wire management helps conserve the wires' lifespan and allows their proper functioning. Wire management may also lessen the risk of short circuits that could cause a fire. Additionally, wire management enables an efficient flow of data that allows better communication service delivery.
While it is not required, it is best for a business owner or manager to be familiar with different wires. Aside from understanding each wire type, the business owner or manager can easily spot problem areas and make informed decisions that reduce the risks involved.
Below are the basic types of cables and wirings that you can use whether at home or in the office:
▪ Non-metallic (NM) cable or also known as Romex wirings: used in dry locations
▪ Underground Feeder (UF) wirings: used for wet locations
▪ Low-Voltage wirings: used for circuits with 50 volts or less
▪ Telephone and data wirings: for landline and telecommunication services
▪Coaxial wirings: used for High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) for television projectors
Since tangled and messy wires may cause danger anytime, PlanWell Strategies has put together the best tips for offices to overcome several wire management challenges. You may apply the same tips in your home.
Get rid of the unnecessary length
Wires that are too long can be harmful to your employees and visitors. Because of their length, those wires often jut out to foot traffic, posing the risk of tripping someone.
Putting up a hook behind or under the furniture is the best solution. Place the wires against the wall using cable boxes and electrical tapes.
Keep all your wirings in a clean stack using cable organizing tools such as velcro, cable, or tie-up wires. Your workspace will not only look uncluttered – it also reduces safety hazards in your home or office.
Store wires correctly
Insects and pests may damage scattered and unprotected wirings. Consider keeping your wirings organized neatly in a safe place.
If some wires and cables are not in use, store them properly in the appropriate storage space. Wires should not be exposed to any moisture, so store them in a cool and dry storage area.
Store them according to wire and cable classification because each classification requires a specific handling and storage procedure. Color-code your wires so it will be easier for you to retrieve them when you need a particular type of wire or cable and re-store them when you need to keep them.
Apply a Proper Label
Whether you are working in a big or small company, labeling wires and cables is essential.
Once you have organized and assigned a storage place for your wires and cables, the next step is to label them. It is not enough to label the storage areas; you need to label each wire and cable inside that storage space, and even those in use.
By labeling wires and cables, you avoid the danger of plugging or unplugging the wrong wire. The risk is not only in the physical sense. When someone mistakenly unplugs a cable, it might mean having a vital business communication cut off unnecessarily when someone pulled out the plug by mistake. Or, in the middle of a crucial presentation, someone unplugs the cable for the audio-visual by mistake, causing embarrassment to management.
Proper labeling of wires and cables also saves you time and money when repairs or expansion of your electrical control panels and data and telecommunications systems are needed.
Use the right tools and furniture
With the right choice of tools and furniture, you may lessen wire management challenges.
One such tool is the mini station, which you can place on top of your desk. Without it obstructing your work, the mini station secures all the loose cords on your workspace and prevents them from sliding down the floor when they are unplugged.
New furniture designs feature a pathway for cords. This design can be seen in most office equipment nowadays.
Electrical outlets mounted to the back and side panels of furniture or within drawers keep power strips off the floor and allow workers to charge and access work gadgets more easily. It is recommended for easier use and less hassle in organizing your cables and wires. There are also cable organizers suited for tables, behind the sofa, or the wall, which you can find and buy online.
Today's technological trends see the rise of wireless equipment and technology because of their flexibility, accessibility, and hassle-free usage. Wireless charging, wireless telephone, and wireless LAN are some of the developed technologies currently in use. The use of wireless technology also solves the same issues addressed by wire management. However, this type of technology is expensive, and budget restrictions may prevent a company from using this technology.
Meanwhile, those who cannot switch to wireless technology can adopt the wire management tips shared here. For further details on how to organize your wires, cables, and cords to keep everyone in your office safe, visit PlanWell Strategies.