sundance-communications.com/forum Forums Wiring - Telecom Carriers - Trunks & Services Cabling Telephones Systems Wiring CABLING

WHAT TYPE OF TOOL IS USED TO MAKE ALL THE CABLES LOOK STRAIGHT COMING OUT OF THE CEILING, WE ARE INSTALLING ABOUT 200 VOICE AND DATA CABLES, AND IT IS REAL TOUGH TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN THEM OUT, WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST, HOW DO THE LARGE COMPANYS GET THEM STRAIGHT.

Hey, gamedinasr, please release your CAP LOCK KEY !!! (Thanks, no need, for any yelling here.)

Many, many years ago a "comb" was used to set in place, the cables run between the "teeth", then tied, and then the "comb" removed. I doubt if you can find one now. You can layer the cables back to front, but no sure bet on neatness. You can always get raceway to do the trick. What they don't see ----

I just use my fingers. Run your fingers through and take out as many tangles as you can. Make sure you don't have any more slack that you need, and the ends of the cables should all be free, not taped together. Don't worry too much about the cables in the middle of the bundle, just make sure the cables that are visible don't cross over each other. With that many cables I would do a few bundles to make things a bit easier. You'll probably want to split them into groups to take them into each patch panel anyways.

Thanks guys I appreciate your imput someone just posted to me about a special tool that is used, to straighten up cables, never seen this tool before could be real handy on big cable jobs.

OK, I'd like to see this tool. Could you share please


Corwyn

I keep that tool right next to the cable stretcher and the bucket of dial tone in the van!

I will let you know, I need to speak to the person who sent it to me,I need to make sure it is okay.

if you lay out your cables right startig with your bottom panal. you can comb it with your fingers and pick and place ties about 8-10inc apart all the way down your to your rack.then replace the ties with velcro.
working from floor up is the same but a little more tedious.

aha! I fell for that 'cable stretcher' a couple months ago. never really got a straight answer but if there was one, I'd say jack to jack for cat5 OR something that untwists the pairs for added length(cant certify the cable but it'll work).

regarding the post, it just takes time to dress that many cables. Separate into logical bundles according to a cut sheet - voice and data bundles and by patch panel. make sure to have a lot of tie-wraps and tie-buttons available. before you begin the process, lengthen and straighten the cables to manageable proportions and relabel if necessary. as mentioned, dont worry too much about the cables in the middle of the bundle but it will make your life a whole lot easier towards the end if you do.

There is no tool to "comb" the cables. It takes technique and TLC!