We require equipment that is used to be placed back in the location it was removed from, and in properly packaged condition. This includes cables! This guide covers how we generally handle our cables.
ONX is an over-under studio, a common cable wrapping method across many industries. Watch the video to the right for the basics.
When you’re done, the sections that follow describe some caveats about how we manage cables specifically at ONX.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwMJHMSmjVY
Many of our cables have been in use for years, leading to some kinks and wear and tear. The most important thing to remember while coiling is to avoid adding additional stress on a cable as you’re wrapping. If that means you have to do extra overs, or extra unders, do it! You should be able to feel which direction the cable wants to go.
Don’t forget to try to straighten the cable before you start wrapping though!
We want our cables to be secured in a way where they won’t come uncoiled in the bin that they are in.
In the picture to the right, we prefer cables be secured like the one on the bottom. This reduces the chance that the cable catches on a different one as it is shuffled around in the bin.
If you’re ever in a position where you are adding a velcro tie to a cable, always secure the tie to the cable before wrapping. This can be done using the loop that is built into the velcro tie. We prefer that this is done close to one of the connectors, and preferably the connector that is furthest away from where it is plugged in.
For power cables, this means putting the velcro tie at the computer side (IEC connector), and not the plug side. For USB A to C cables, this means putting the velcro tie at the USB C side. For XLR/DMX cables, this means putting the velcro tie at the female end.
For cables that are symmetrical, it doesn’t matter which one is which.
Pull that loop as tight as you can so that it stays on the cable. See the picture below for an example of how the velcro tie is looped around the cable (and not yet pulled tight!).
Because we prefer the entire cable to be bound, make sure you’re wrapping a little bit looser than you think so that the cable can be compressed for the velcro tie!