If you were part of the workforce who transitioned to working from home and had to establish a home work station, you will understand the need for effective under-desk cable management. This guide is for anyone battling with cable spaghetti!
Scientific studies carried out in the US showed that when we can see disorganisation, whether that is on top of our desks or under them, it can impact our ability to focus, as the human brain craves order. It follows then that having effective desk cable management goes a long way to creating and maintaining an organised and therefore more productive work space. Our article 5 ways to manage cables safely in an office examines the health and safety aspect of efficient desk cable management and how it impacts on visitor perception and employee well-being.
This helpful guide will show you how to manage desk cables and offers lots of cable management ideas for your desk.
How to organise extension cables and plugs
Most desks have an extension cable to accommodate all the plugs required for your devices. Sadly these are not the most attractive things to have round your feet but they can be quickly and easily attached to the underside of a desk with screw mount cable ties. The head of the tie can be secured in place with a screw and the tie wrapped around the plug strip and fastened to the desk or wall.
How to bundle cables together
A jumble of wires and cables under a desk is unsightly and represents a trip hazard – at the very least, they are easy to get feet tangled up in. Before routing cables to corresponding devices, it is important to gather them together. The simplest way to do this is with a nylon cable tie, which will hold cables together permanently. If you will need to add to or remove from the bundle, a releasable cable tie is ideal. Consideration should be given to the risk of high temperatures and short circuits – in these situations, UV and heat stabilised cable ties offer a great solution as they offer excellent heat resistance.
How to route cables
Making sure that cables running from power sources to devices are orderly goes a long way towards a neat and organised space. Spiral wrap and flexible conduit are effective cable management tools that can be wrapped round cables to give a tidy look. Cable sleeving offers versatile cable management solutions too; braided expandable cable sleeving, made from flexible PET, offers heat protection, a broad operating temperature range and is suitable for cables that need to be moved regularly. Our article Cable sleeving – everything you need to know has information on all the cable sleeving we stock.
How to manage excess cable length
A common problem at desks is the excess cable that can clutter the surface of your work station, especially any that hang down, for example from a high-level or wall mounted screen or monitor. Where cables cannot be shortened a nylon 6/6 cable tie will solve the problem and the range of lengths available ensures the thickest of cables can be gathered together.
How to identify cables
Once all your cables are organised, covered and bundled safely, it is time for the final step in your under-desk management – identifying the different cables, particularly helpful for any devices that are plugged in and unplugged regularly. A marker cable tie can be written on easily or for those who prefer a more visual method of identification, coloured cable ties are perfect. Available in a choice of colours, including five fluorescent options, single-use coloured cable ties are available in a range of lengths and widths.
If you have any questions about your under-desk cable management or need further information about any of the products mentioned here, contact us by phone or email and we will be happy to help.
