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Topic:
Custom Length Patch Cables
This thread has 24 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 02:57
crosen
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When/whether to use custom length patch cables is always an interesting discussion. It seems that Mac has thrown down the gauntlet on this:

[Link: remotecentral.com]

Clearly, if you want the cleanest racks, you need custom cables. But, are racks with custom cables more robust and serviceable, or just prettier?
If it's not simple, it's not sufficiently advanced.
Post 2 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 09:03
highfigh
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On June 20, 2019 at 02:57, crosen said...
When/whether to use custom length patch cables is always an interesting discussion. It seems that Mac has thrown down the gauntlet on this:

[Link: remotecentral.com]

Clearly, if you want the cleanest racks, you need custom cables. But, are racks with custom cables more robust and serviceable, or just prettier?

With a large number of cables, space can come at a price- the amount of excess cabling that needs to be bundled & stored somewhere can really get in the way of even seeing the equipment. I use Planet Waves- easy to terminate, easy to cut and re-terminate as needed. When 3' cables are a few inches too short and the next length is 6', it can get ugly, fast.
My mechanic told me, "I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."
Post 3 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 09:48
Mario
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In my racks:
- My RCAs are custom length.
- My speaker cables are cut to size.
- My HDMIs come in .3, .5, .7, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, etc meters
- My CatX cables come in feet lengths of .5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,10, 12, 14, - 15, 1,7, 20, 25. Anything longer than that and I'll either cut a long cable so that I only have to re-terminate one end or they end up on patch panel.
- Power cables (IEC) 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 & 10 feet. The 6 footer is the standard one. Seems like other power cables are smaller and can be coiled and zip tied.
Post 4 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 10:58
sirroundsound
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Racks with custom wiring look great, and the people that know what they are doing will also consider how equipment may get serviced or changed in the future.
Heck, placement and spacing of equipment plays just as big a role in serviceability of everything.
With margins shrinking on many items we sell, racks are (or should be) a profit center.
Post 5 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 15:15
Ernie Gilman
Yes, That Ernie!
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Mario,
I was with you until you said "meters." What's a meter?

JK.

Who's the manufacturer(s) of those various CAT cable lengths?
Know anybody who stocks short shielded CAT6 cables?

Thanks. This is good for all of us!
A good answer is easier with a clear question giving the make and model of everything.
"The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." -- G. “Bernie” Shaw
Post 6 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 16:54
TreDEE
Long Time Member
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[Link: patchbox.com]
Post 7 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 18:10
Hertz
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I make all cables to size. Ethernet, Speaker, control and audio cables.
Post 8 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 18:30
osiris
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We stock as many different lengths, in one foot steps between lengths as much as possible up to 12' for HDMI and Ethernet. Speaker cables, analog audio, and IR (which is essentially going to be gone for us in racks now that Comcast has working IP control) are made custom. It's a pain in the ass to try to find space for and neatly manage extra length of patch cables. We pride ourselves on the appearance of our rack work, it's a big part of our brand. The only thing that makes them more serviceable is the ability to look at the back of a component and clearly see what things are connected to without having to manually push other cables out of the way.
Post 9 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 18:38
Fins
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In the days of component video, I made custom cables for everything except power cords. I made do with the OEM power cords. At first I used coax, then found planet wave which made it much easier. HDMI though started to change that.

At the company I was with until recently, when I made custom analog audio cables with planetwave. And we used premade HDMI and cat6 patch cables in various sizes. Usually in approx 1’ 2’ 3’ 5’ 7’ and 10’ lengths for cat and the closest equivalent metric sizes in hdmi cables. The company I’m with now does much larger jobs a uses all premade cables. I’m with Mac on this. Custom cables take too much time and it’s not worth it for that look. With proper wire management I can get very close to just as good of a finish with premade cables.
Civil War reenactment is LARPing for people with no imagination.

Post 10 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 18:52
davidcasemore
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Our industry is based on standards. I hope I don't have to start listing the organizations who create these standards because this is something you should all know.

So, Category-Rated patch cables should be:

1. Stranded twisted pair.
2. Factory made and tested.
3. Labeled as to their ratings and use.
4. As short as possible, but long enough for proper cable management.

There are many cable-management accessories available to keep patch cords tidy.

My biggest pet peeve:

Wires and cables, of any type, just hanging down from the ceiling or poking out of the wall. Sometimes labeled with painters tape and a sharpie.

Every cable should terminate at both ends at some type of wall plate or rack-mounted faceplate. Since this cable is part of the structure, any rack-mounted patch panels should be wall-mounted so as to be part of the structure too.

Imagine if the electrician ran his Romex from the receptacle and then left the other end hanging from the basement ceiling. Now you would have a load center with 20 or 30 cables hanging from the ceiling. If you want power you just connect the wires to the breaker you want. No panel cover, no connector at a knockout. That would look really nice! And it's what I imagine some of you are doing with your cabling! Such Pro work!

It's no wonder so many of you spend so much time on site for the last weeks before the client moves in (and are still there after they do move in). If you terminated all your cables ahead of time at both ends then you can almost be in and out for the final trim-out because:

1. You've built and tested your rack off-site ahead of time. You know that all of your remotes will work properly - no messing around on site. Plus you have the added benefit of not having two vans worth of empty equipment boxes to remove from the house. You built the rack off site and that's where the boxes are. I know some integrators don't have vans large enough for a full-height rack. Rental companies are your friend and are not expensive. Instead of having equipment manuals strewn all over the client's house, you've already created a couple of three-ring binders to hand to the client or the house manager at the final walk-thru/training.

2. Your trim-out consists of wall plates, keypads, TPs, speakers and displays. You bring the rack in, connect it to your terminated connection panel. Many of the trim-out pieces can be installed prior to painting which will shorten your time on site at the end. This is great "make work" for those slow days.

If you don't do these types of things then you will keep being the last trade on site. This gives you the added advantage of being blamed for the move-in delay, being blamed for damage to the floors and walls, and being the last one to get paid (hoping there is any money left). If any of these things keep happening to you then you really can't say you are a pro, can you?
Fins: Still Slamming' His Trunk on pilgrim's Small Weenie - One Trunk at a Time!
Post 11 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 21:10
Mac Burks (39)
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On June 20, 2019 at 16:54, TreDEE said...
[Link: patchbox.com]

Coolest thing i have seen all year.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
Post 12 made on Thursday June 20, 2019 at 22:08
ichbinbose
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On June 20, 2019 at 21:10, Mac Burks (39) said...
Coolest thing i have seen all year.

It was cool until i saw the price. I’m all about things that make it faster, easier & better but damn there is a limit and these guys flew past the limit turned around and flew past it a few more times.
Post 13 made on Friday June 21, 2019 at 11:17
tomciara
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On June 20, 2019 at 18:52, davidcasemore said...
If any of these things keep happening to you then you really can't say you are a pro, can you?

You took considerable time on that post, and it was well thought out. Most of what you say is true, and certainly true from your perspective. The last statement is purely opinion.

Some might argue that having every single thing terminated at the wall creates current or future reliability issues, since an extra junction point is an extra failure opportunity. In particular, HDMI extenders might do best with a straight shot from end to end.

Though having an entire wall full of terminations looks very impressive, it is not a difficult thing to have a bundle of cables neatly dressed, going straight to the rack.
There is no truth anymore. Only assertions. The internet world has no interest in truth, only vindication for preconceived assumptions.
Post 14 made on Friday June 21, 2019 at 14:09
jrainey
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On June 21, 2019 at 11:17, tomciara said...
You took considerable time on that post, and it was well thought out. Most of what you say is true, and certainly true from your perspective. The last statement is purely opinion.

Some might argue that having every single thing terminated at the wall creates current or future reliability issues, since an extra junction point is an extra failure opportunity. In particular, HDMI extenders might do best with a straight shot from end to end.

Though having an entire wall full of terminations looks very impressive, it is not a difficult thing to have a bundle of cables neatly dressed, going straight to the rack.

It is my opinion the HDMI should never be terminated at a wall plate. too much attenuation added to the cable. Cat standards are designed to be patched...HDMI are not.
Jack Rainey - Full disclosure...reformed integrator, now mid-Atlantic manufacturers rep for: Integra, Paradigm, Anthem, Parasound, Atlona, LG TV's and Metra Home Theater...among others
Post 15 made on Friday June 21, 2019 at 14:54
Mac Burks (39)
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On June 20, 2019 at 22:08, ichbinbose said...
It was cool until i saw the price. I’m all about things that make it faster, easier & better but damn there is a limit and these guys flew past the limit turned around and flew past it a few more times.

I cant figure out who their market is. The only people who would pay that much is our government.
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
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