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Consumer electronics inhabit everyday personal space, miniaturization allows them mobility and self-containment. This is an inquiry into the management of portable cords. Both consumer and professional electronics apply here, though the topic will gravitate toward common use electronics, such as, cell phone, laptop, headphones, media devices.
Wire is a trajectory through which objects are powered and data transferred, the preservation of its conductivity is the main concern here. Ideas this instructable focuses on are: ergonomics, portability, , storage and retrieval. The format for this will not be step by step procedures but sections pertaining to each idea along with tips. This will include essential portable electronics and appliance accessories, temporary installation techniques, safety & preventative measures, techniques for modifying cables, plus much more.
note: the neologism "coiler " is used frequently to describe devices and or accessories that spool cords.
Contents
Twisty Ties, Coil formations, figure eights and Ovals
Spike and surge protectors, line noise filter
Grounded splitters
The transformer or wall wart adapter
Dock and Charge Stations
Temporary electronic set-ups
Small area
Medium area
Management systems
RFI/EMI line-noise filter ferrites
Stress point Reinforcement Springs
Tape
Cord covers
Labels and Tags
Prongs
Camera controller
Wire is a trajectory through which objects are powered and data transferred, the preservation of its conductivity is the main concern here. Ideas this instructable focuses on are: ergonomics, portability, , storage and retrieval. The format for this will not be step by step procedures but sections pertaining to each idea along with tips. This will include essential portable electronics and appliance accessories, temporary installation techniques, safety & preventative measures, techniques for modifying cables, plus much more.
note: the neologism "coiler " is used frequently to describe devices and or accessories that spool cords.
Contents
Twisty Ties, Coil formations, figure eights and Ovals
Spike and surge protectors, line noise filter
Grounded splitters
The transformer or wall wart adapter
Dock and Charge Stations
Temporary electronic set-ups
Small area
Medium area
Management systems
RFI/EMI line-noise filter ferrites
Stress point Reinforcement Springs
Tape
Cord covers
Labels and Tags
Prongs
Camera controller
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Signing UpStep 1Twisty ties and coil formations
When cords arrive to us fresh out the box, they are tied up with little black wire ties. Bound up like rope they are wedged into a small retail package. Before managing these severely kinked cords, it is wise to clean them with soap. This will remove lead residue from the manufacturing process. The disposable ties function similarly as the third-party cable management products, only they ware out. These will be re-used for temporary management, an alternative to zip ties or anything that doesn't require Velcro. Cables that are going to be stored, sold or just scrap parts can also be managed in this manner. Similar ties can be found in the produce aisle of the grocery market.
The wire ties are still considered trash, but they can serve the new or old cables by removing their kinks and bends. The process eventually trains the copper and plastic to form a coil. Coils are the easiest to use and store with out tangles. When a cord is twisted, kinked or excessively bent the copper wires eventually split. This results in cables that don't conduct or have inconsistent current. With a signal or power not flowing as clean, down the line these will harm their devices.
Began by wrapping the cord into a ring coil around your hand. If the coil needs to be larger, find something cylindrically shaped such a bottle to wrap it around. Next use the ties to hold the coils shape. Let it sit like this for a while, later repeat the process until cord is less kinked and ready for a real cable management system. Find the coil size by determining the cables width and length into a reasonably sized torus (donut shape). Have both plug ends slightly overlap each other so that they can be cinched together with ties.
Every type type of cord can be managed in to a ring, regardless of how thick its extrusion is. With cords that have less plastic extrusion other types of coils can work too.
Similar to ring coils is the figure eight and oval, they're even easier to store, although the downside is more kinks and a slight amount of tangle. Cords that have a lot of shielding or extra thick rubber extrusion work best. To form the figure eight first coil the wire into oval, in the same way a ring coil was made. Then one side can be managed and the other side cinched toward it. The cinch should leave both terminals taught and not loose or dangling. To achieve this make both plug ends come together, using whatever management system is at hand.
If cable the is of medium length use both hands to create the circle. Take one end of the cord and make a circle in what ever size is needed. Then with the other hand take the cord wrap it around again. Repeat this over and over by alternating between both hands, one will hold the circles shape while the other wraps it around and then hands switch tasks.
For coiling say a long extension cord by hand. Began by holding one end and wrapping it around your elbow and back around to your hand. Repeat this until the cable is coiled in to an oval nearly the diameter of your Ulna and radius. Then to close the loop, plug the male terminal into the female. Extension cords are usually somewhat dirty from being on the ground, Bonami and coarse dish scrubs can help keep them clean.
The wire ties are still considered trash, but they can serve the new or old cables by removing their kinks and bends. The process eventually trains the copper and plastic to form a coil. Coils are the easiest to use and store with out tangles. When a cord is twisted, kinked or excessively bent the copper wires eventually split. This results in cables that don't conduct or have inconsistent current. With a signal or power not flowing as clean, down the line these will harm their devices.
Began by wrapping the cord into a ring coil around your hand. If the coil needs to be larger, find something cylindrically shaped such a bottle to wrap it around. Next use the ties to hold the coils shape. Let it sit like this for a while, later repeat the process until cord is less kinked and ready for a real cable management system. Find the coil size by determining the cables width and length into a reasonably sized torus (donut shape). Have both plug ends slightly overlap each other so that they can be cinched together with ties.
Every type type of cord can be managed in to a ring, regardless of how thick its extrusion is. With cords that have less plastic extrusion other types of coils can work too.
Similar to ring coils is the figure eight and oval, they're even easier to store, although the downside is more kinks and a slight amount of tangle. Cords that have a lot of shielding or extra thick rubber extrusion work best. To form the figure eight first coil the wire into oval, in the same way a ring coil was made. Then one side can be managed and the other side cinched toward it. The cinch should leave both terminals taught and not loose or dangling. To achieve this make both plug ends come together, using whatever management system is at hand.
If cable the is of medium length use both hands to create the circle. Take one end of the cord and make a circle in what ever size is needed. Then with the other hand take the cord wrap it around again. Repeat this over and over by alternating between both hands, one will hold the circles shape while the other wraps it around and then hands switch tasks.
For coiling say a long extension cord by hand. Began by holding one end and wrapping it around your elbow and back around to your hand. Repeat this until the cable is coiled in to an oval nearly the diameter of your Ulna and radius. Then to close the loop, plug the male terminal into the female. Extension cords are usually somewhat dirty from being on the ground, Bonami and coarse dish scrubs can help keep them clean.
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I came across your guide while searching for methods to re-enforce my laptop power cable and connector. I am going to implement your method in my project along with something to protect the cable from damage if it is squished (trapping the cable under the corner of the coffee table when i slide it over the floor for example) along with a nylon wrap using some pretty coloured paracord!
What ya think? :)
I can usually find a cheap Velcro alternative after the yule holidays, about $0.50 for 10 feet, 2 sided strap. I will sew a loop onto one end of this and put the cord through the loop. The strap will stay on the cord and not get lost.
Another idea is to always "Fake" your cords, never spin them into a loop, but make a figure 8 between your thumb and little finger. This prevents twisting of the cable and reduces the chance of tangles when you release the loop. (You can also do this with longer/thicker cords between your elbow and hand.)
Just a word of warning, though: I strongly discourage wrapping an extension cord (or any other longish cable) around your arm. It's quick and easy, but it makes your cord very twisty and kinky in no time. Mastering good coiling technique will save a lot of time and mess in the long run, and help your cords last longer as well.
--Mark
http://www.marksatterfield.com