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3 Ways to Prevent a Data Cable Disaster

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If you run busy commercial premises, your data cabling may be the last thing you worry about. However, if you do not take some basic steps to look after your data cables, they will eventually fail. When data cables fail, they really do become something to worry about. Do you want to face the prospect of not being able to access the internet, to check prices or process customer transactions? Below is a guide to 3 things you can do to prevent a data cable disaster.

Keep Your Data Cables Cool and Dry

You should avoid laying data cables in large bundles or in locations which are near heat sources such as radiators and air conditioning units. Doing so will help to keep the data cables cool. When data cables overheat, it can lead to the transmission of electrical signals to decay. 

You should also ensure that the cables are kept completely dry. Moisture may penetrate the outer protective coating of the cable, causing damage to the copper within which is responsible for transmitting data. You should pay particular attention to any data cables which are outdoors, as these are most at risk of damage from moisture. You should consider asking an electrician to add additional waterproofing to outdoor data cables.

Do Not Use Long Patch Cables

Patch cables are a popular way of re-routing a data signal from one location to another. For instance, you could connect a laptop to the data cable using a patch cable. However, if you use a patch cable which is longer than a few metres, it is likely you will notice that the data signal becomes weak. This loss of signal is caused by the fact that the data must travel up and down the patch cable to the device. If you must use a patch cable, you should ensure it isn't too long.

Protect Your Cables With Dust Caps

If dust enters the connectors of your data cable system, it can damage the data cables and reduce the signal level. You should ensure that dust caps are fitted to the connectors and that your staff know how to use them. The dust cap should be in place whenever the data cable is not in use. If a dust cap becomes loose and doesn't fit over a connector tightly, you should replace it.

If you have any questions or concerns about the installation or maintenance of a data cable system, you should contact a commercial electrician today for further advice.


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