It doesn’t matter what type of cable you’re dealing with, it’s more brittle than you think. It’s essential to adopt the right approach to receiving, handling, and even storing the cables.
That way, when you want to use them, they’ll be in good condition, you’ll just need to get miniature cable fittings here, or larger cable fittings, if required.
Coil It
When you see cable in a store on a truck you’ll notice that it is coiled around a central pin. Coiling a cable places less stress on it than attempting to fold it. Remember, the outer sheath may seem tough but constantly bending it will cost it to weaken and ultimately break. This will expose the cables.
If the cables touch when you’re running an electrical current through them, then the system will short, potentially causing damage to appliances or even a fire.
That’s why you should always coil a cable to store it or send it. If you’re receiving cable that isn’t coiled you need to check it is not damaged.
Packing & Storing
When transmitting cable from one place to another, it is common to place a large coiled bundle onto a pallet and secure it into position. The pallet will prevent the cable from being damaged by anything when it is lifted and put down.
If you’re moving small coils of cable they can be placed in a box and sealed shut, the boxes can then be stacked onto the pallet. The aim is to minimize movement as this will ensure the boxes and cables remain safe throughout the journey.
While loose cable does need to be secured to a pallet, you should ensure that as few straps as possible are used, the pressure of a strap can cause damage to your cable.
Like For Like
It may seem simple but you also need to ensure that similar cables are stored together, this will make it easier when you need to collect or find the cables.
It should also make it easier to stack the cables as the boxes will all be compatible.
Weight
A cable may appear strong but even it has a weight limit and you need to verify what this is before you start packing it away. The weight limit will tell you the maximum weight allowed on top of a coil of cable, you can use this to devise the best storage plan possible.
Shipping
Finally, it is important to consider how the cable will be handled during shipping. After you’ve protected it as much as possible you should consider using a warning sticker that tells the receiver whether the box has been damaged or subject to excessive temperatures, drops, or a number of other issues. This will help to ensure the courier takes care of your cable as well.
