Stage

Stage cables before laying cables into their final location. In the previous step, the boxes should have been grouped by type and length increasing the efficiency of the staging process.

Un-Boxing and Un-Bagging

The first step in the staging process is to remove the cables from their boxes and antistatic bags. It is most efficient to unbox and unbag all cables at one time, provided space allows. Leave any cable wraps or connector covers in place at this point; these will be removed later.

Warning

Since this is a repetitive task, be sure to maintain standards, and focus to prevent damage to the cables.

Note

Cables should remain grouped by type and length.

Labeling and Grouping

In the previous steps, the cables have been grouped by type and length. However, it is now time to begin labeling and grouping the cables in preparation for bundling.

Note

It is impractical to print out labels onsite, proper documentation is critical to print labels before arrival.

Labeling and grouping are semi concurrent tasks; groupings are simply unbundled collections of cables that will become bundles in the next steps. Though properly formatted labels should make it unnecessary, the cable deployment documentation can be consulted to determine the cable groups.

To begin, review the sheets of preprinted cable labels; per best practice the labels should have Source, Destination, cable type/length details and a Bundling Sequence Number (BSN). The cable type/length details with the BSN will allow for grouping the cables without directly consulting the cable deployment documentation, though referencing is advisable to ensure that no mistakes were made.

  • Using the cable type/length information from the label select a cable of the correct length.

  • Apply the label 3-4 inches from the connector head.

  • Attempt to orient all labels the same way by starting them in the same position.

  • Group the cables by their sequence number.

Warning

This is a repetitive task. Maintain standards and focus to prevent damage to the cables.

Warning

While grouping the cables, lay them down away from foot traffic or rolling loads.

Note

Ideally all cables will be labeled and grouped before the next step. However, space constraint may dictate that this operation be completed piecemeal.

Unrolling and Bundling

With the cables sorted and grouped by type, length, and BSN they can now be unrolled and bundled making them ready for deployment. The BSNs should be ordered with the lowest number being the first bundle to be deployed and the highest the last.

Unrolling

Note

Proceed with the following steps one cable at a time.

Warning

Stage the cables away from foot traffic or rolling loads.

  1. Find the cable grouping with the lowest BSN and move these cables to the area designated for staging the cables.

  2. Divide the group of cables into two halves, placing each half on either side of the staging area.

    This prevents excessive walking—unrolling one cable and then going back and unrolling the second cable from the other side of the room.

  3. Select a single cable and remove any cable wraps leave connector covers in place.

  4. Begin unrolling the first cable.

    1. Free one end of the cable and in a handover hand fashion lower the connector to the floor.

    2. Continue the handover hand unrolling slowly laying the cable down in a straight line for as long as space is available. If the cable is long and there is enough space, turn the cable back leaving a large radius bend, and continue this pattern until the cable is fully unrolled.

  5. Select the next cable and repeat step 2 this time laying the cable closely beside the first.

  6. Continue for all cables in the grouping.

Warning

  • Cables should be unrolled rather than uncoiled.

  • Do not uncoil or stretch cables this can lead to kinks and damage.

  • Do not twist the cable to open a kink.

  • Do not pull the cable through any openings or around corners.

Bundling

This is the procedure for bundling cables:

  1. Prepare short strips of hook and loop wraps.

    The strip should be able to surround the diameter of the bundle with extra 2 cm. Too long wraps will create fat bulges along the bundles that can cause issues during layout of bundles.

  2. Starting at the connectors at one end of the bundle place a hook-and-loop wrap around the bundle approximately one foot from the end.

  3. Progressing down the length of the bundle at approximately 2.5 foot intervals, place a hook-and-loop wrap around the bundle.

  4. After all the hook-and-loop wraps are in place, wrap the connectors in plastic to prevent them from being damaged during the installation process.

Warning

Wraps must not be so tight as to distort the jacket of the cable. They are only used to prevent unnecessary movement of the cable; snug is tight enough.