19/03/2024

Cable management: flexible, screwable, self-adhesive, protective – an overview of options for industrial applications

Cable management means safe, organised, space-saving wiring

HellermannTyton Helawrap cable organizer

Cable management is an essential part of the daily work of an electrician or panel builder. With efficient cable management products you can make cables "invisible", reduce risk of injury and save space at the same time.

However, cable management products are not only interesting for the electrician or control cabinet engineer. Facility managers, DIY fans and anyone at home with lots of electrical equipment on the desk or in the living room can benefit  from optimum cable management that helps create order, for example by:

  • Routing cables in different directions
  • Branching off cables
  • Protecting cables
  • Eliminating trip hazards

Cable management for walls and edges

Wall cable management: with specialised wall plugs

LOK for cable management on walls: can be used either indoors or outdoors.

For cable management along walls we recommend our LOK series. These are specially-developed wall plugs. They are ideal for fixing lines in wall cavities at the building stage – as a horizontal or vertical cable manager. 

Just hammer securely into pre-drilled holes. The head of the dowel is a cable tie mounting point and ensures simple and effective cable management – even on materials where nail clips often fail.

 

Further advantages:

  • Suitable for many materials such as concrete, bricks or wood
  • LOK01B suitable for soft masonry and 6 mm holes
  • LOK05 maintains space between the fastened cable and the surface

Cable management with mounting clips: EdgeClip

EdgeClips are the ideal cable management solution where holes are not acceptable or where adhesives will fail.

Another quick and easy way to route cables is to use our EC mounting clips. EC stands for EdgeClip. These mounting clips allow you to securely attach cables and wires to panel or component edges without drilling or sticking.

 They ensure the flexible, organized routing of cable harnesses, cords or pipes. The EdgeClip withstands high pull-off forces and includes a secure mounting point for cable ties to ensure permanent cable management.

 

Advantages:

  • Broad range of variants – cable management possible on, over, or alongside edges
  • Mounting clips for three edge thicknesses available
  • Simple ‘push-on’ manual installation to the edge
  • Secure fixing without drilling, screwing or sticking

You can find out more about cable management solutions with EdgeClips on our cable clips for edges page.
 

Screwable and self-adhesive cable management

Wall cable management with screwable sockets: Q-Mount

Some cable management products can be combined with cable ties – Q-Mounts are one example.

Our screwable Q-Mount series cable managers are predestined for use in the electrical industry. These can be perfectly combined with our Q-tie cable ties, which can be inserted from four sides.

The special design holds the cable tie in a vertical position so that both hands are free during installation. These are optimal conditions for temporary and permanent cable management, especially along walls.

Cable management system with self-adhesive mounts – FlexTack

The FlexTack cable tie mount is a flexible cable management idea for round and angled surfaces.

If screwing or drilling to attach anchor points for cable ties is not possible, then we have a simple answer – adhesive mounts. These self-adhesive accessories are suitable for fixing cords to various surfaces.

FlexTack is an especially innovative fastening solution for cable routing across curved or angled surfaces

 

The advantages of mounts combined with modified acrylate adhesive:

  • High temperature resistance  
  • High cohesive strength and good weather resistance
  • No drilling or screwing means reduced risk of corrosion
  • Weight advantage compared with mechanical fastening
  • Production costs can be reduced
  • Fast, simple and flexible installation

Further insights into our adhesive and screwable mounts can be found here.

Desk cable management

Cable organizer: Helawrap

Think of all the leads that run behind and under office desks, hi-fi systems or television sets. Not only does this tangle of cables look unattractive, it also poses a risk of stumbling. We have the solution for optimal and clean cable management at desks – the protective Helawrap cable cover. This is a plastic conduit made of polypropylene, which is easily pulled over the leads or cables with the aid a special tool – rather like using a zipper. This means that even longer cables can be bundled quickly and easily and branched out at different points.

Helawrap: is a popular desk cable management solution.

Advantages:

  • Easy and effortless to use
  • Good abrasion protection
  • Cable management over the entire length possible
  • Can be reused
  • Available in different colours (black, grey, white)

Protective braided sleeving: Twist-In

Another desk cable management idea is our Helagaine Twist-In series. This is a self-closing protective sleeving made of polyester. It not only ensures order, but also protects the bundled cords from abrasion. The design of the protective hose allows easy access for maintenance or additional cables at any time.

Easy to use desk cable management idea: the self-closing Twist-In.

Advantages: 

  • Self-closing protective sleeving made of polyester
  • Very good protection against abrasion
  • Ideal for subsequent installation
  • Easy, simple attachment and removal

Flexible cable management

Movable cable manager: Omega clips

Flexible cable management clips for routing cables and wires in any direction.

Flexible cable management of cables and wires in any direction is possible with our Omega series mounting clips.  This series is characterised by the simple mounting of the clips on a cable, hose or pipe. They can be attached easily and are therefore suitable for retrofitting.

 These Omega clipes are 360° rotatable and compensate the movement of the guided cables. These cable management clips particularly popular in the automotive industry for connecting cables with different rigidity.

Wiring duct: HelaDuct Flex

HelaDuct Flex: popular cable management solution for panel buildings.

For many installers, flexible cord management systems are particularly important. It enables space-saving routing in many environments. Simple routing and optimum space utilisation make this flexible wiring duct attractive for use in panel building, for example, between the door and sides of a closure.

Simple routing and optimum space utilisation make the product attractive – especially for use in panel buildings.

 

This product offers further advantages:

  • HelaDuct Flex is fixed with adhesive tape, therefore no drilling is necessary.
  • Adhesive tape enables quick assembly.
  • HelaDuct Flex is extremely flexible and can be installed at an angle of 90° and higher.
  • ur flexible cable duct is easy to open and suitable for subsequent maintenance.

Cable management for special industrial applications

Cable management ideas for panel building

Cable management is one of the most important challenges for panel builders. Organized routing and protecting as many wires as possible in as few wiring channels as possible is the challenge. This interaction should create order that makes subsequent maintenance work as safe and convenient as possible for the electrician.

HellermannTyton offers a range of cable management products for panel buildings.

HellermannTyton launched the HelaDuct product series for this special form of cable management. It contains wiring ducts as well as specially developed retaining clips that prevent the cables from falling out when the cover is removed.

In addition, our range includes fastening elements and tools for edge-free removal of side wall segments and fingers.

 

 

 

 

The advantages of our cable management solutions in panel building:

  • Robust and halogen free wiring ducts made of high-quality thermoplastics
  • Easy removal of fingers for quick installation
  • Injury-free working thanks to burr-free edges
  • Screwless fixing of the ducts with plastic rivets
  • Cable ties can be attached in the ducts using special fastening elements

Further information and products around our panel building product range can be found in our brochure.

Cable management solutions for the heavy-duty industry

In the heavy-duty industry specialised, individual cable management solutions are often in demandrequired.

In heavy-duty applications there is a risk of cable damage and defective bundling on account of sharp-edged metal mounts. In order to prevent this, we have developed the Saddle Mount series for heavy-duty applications.

These robust plastic parts are permanently mounted with threaded bolts or screws and guarantee a secure hold, even with strong vibration. Electrical cables and pneumatic or hydraulic hoses can be fastened with cable ties. This type of cable management allows up to three parallel bundles to be securely routed.

 

Further advantages:

  • Lower weight compared to a metal product
  • Bundle protection due to smooth surface
  • Thermal, electrical and vibration decoupling

Cable management products for the wind industry

Environments in the wind industry call for special cable management ideas.

In the wind industry, routing cables and wires inside the loop, where the rotatable nacelle meets the tower, is a particular challenge because these cables are subject to constant twisting. We developed the Loop Spacer to prevent abrasion between the cable sheaths.

It is easy to install using a click system, creates order and also improves the cooling behaviour of the cables.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Why is cable management important?

Cable management is essential for several reasons. It helps maintain a clean and professional appearance, reduces the risk of accidents or tripping hazards, improves airflow and ventilation, facilitates troubleshooting and maintenance, and makes it easier to identify and access specific cables when needed.

How can I organize cables behind my desk?

To organize cables behind a desk or entertainment center, start by unplugging all devices and removing unnecessary cables. Use cable ties, Velcro straps, or cable sleeves to group and bundle cables together. Keep power cords separate from data cables to avoid interference. Use adhesive cable clips or hooks to secure cables along the back of the furniture or wall. Consider using cable management products like cable wiring ducts or cable trays to conceal and route cables effectively.

What is the difference between vertical and horizontal cable management?

Vertical cable management focuses on the organization and routing of cables in a vertical direction, typically within server racks or network cabinets. It involves using vertical cable managers, such as cable trays, vertical cable rings, or cable management arms, to guide and support cables from top to bottom.

Horizontal cable management, on the other hand, is concerned with the organization and routing of cables in a horizontal direction, often within the same rack or cabinet. It involves the use of horizontal cable managers, such as cable ducts, cable managers, or brush strips, to route and secure cables side to side or front to back.

Why is good cable management particularly important in the automotive industry?

Good cable management is highly important in the automotive industry due to the complex electrical systems and extensive use of cables and wiring harnesses in modern vehicles. Proper cable management ensures that the cables are routed correctly, secured in place, and protected from damage, which helps maintain essential functions such as engine control, lighting, entertainment, safety features, and communication.

With the growing trend towards electrification and advanced technologies, the number or cables as well as the need for proper insulation increases. Organized and properly routed cables also minimise the risk of electrical faults, improve safety and enhance the overall reliability. Furthermore, effective cable management streamlines the assembly process improving production efficiency. Last but not least, the automotive industry strives to optimize weight and space savings. Good cable management reduces cable clutter and unnecessary cable lengths, ensuring efficient use of space.