The purchase guide of Cable Manager
May 30, 2023
Leave a message
A cable manager, known as a wire management rack, is commonly installed inside a cabinet, positioned between the patch panel and the switch. It is used to neatly arrange the patch panel's front-end patch cables, ensuring orderly cable routing and distinguishing and organizing cables for easy future management. Therefore, cable managers can be used to manage copper cables, fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, and other transmission media.
There is a wide variety of cable manager products available in the market, which can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing the right one. This guide will provide a buying guide for cable managers by comparing different designs, sizes, and materials.
1. Enclosed Cable Manager vs. Open Cable Manager
Enclosed Cable Manager:
Enclosed cable managers are emerging wire management products. As shown in the figure below, an enclosed cable manager consists of a wire management panel and a cover plate. The wire management panel is used to arrange and secure the cables, collecting various types of cables within their slots. The cover plate is used to cover and conceal the arranged cables, resulting in a neat and organized appearance where the internal cables are not visible. The 12-port cable manager works best when used with 12-port, 24-port, or 48-port patch panels.
Open Cable Manager:
Open cable managers appeared earlier than enclosed ones. They can accommodate more cables and offer greater flexibility. As shown in the figure below, open cable managers are equipped with multiple hanging loops to support and secure the cables. Open cable managers are easy to install and dismantle. Depending on specific requirements, different configurations of open cable managers with varying numbers of hanging loops can be chosen.
2. 1U Cable Manager vs. 2U Cable Manager
Since most rack-mounted network devices are 19 inches wide, cable managers also follow the standard 19-inch width. However, they come in various heights, represented by "RU" (rack units), with 1RU equaling 1.75 inches. The most common options in the market are 1U and 2U, cable managers. The 1U cable manager is commonly used for managing fiber optic cables, while the 2U cable manager is often used for managing copper cables. When choosing the size of the cable manager, it is important to ensure that it meets the current cable management needs and leaves room for additional cables in the future.
3. Plastic Cable Manager vS. Metal Cable Manager
Plastic Cable Manager:
Plastic cable managers are made of plastic, which makes them less durable. Over time, excessive cables may cause deformation of the plastic cable manager or exposure to sunlight may lead to discoloration or degradation. On the other hand, metal cable managers are sturdier and do not face these issues. In general, metal cable managers are safer and more durable.
Cable managers play a crucial role in maintaining the neatness and orderliness of cabinet cables. They contribute to the smooth management, maintenance, and troubleshooting of network systems, ultimately enhancing the stability of the network system.
