I just use zip-ties. What is the advantage of lacing ?
Additionally, lacing cord typically can handle much higher temperatures than space-rated zip ties.
If I understand correctly, the arguments against zip ties are that 1) it's easy to overtighten them, which can lead to damage to network cables 2) they're obviously irreversible so less flexibility in the future?
Am I overthinking this? There must be standard cable management practices (that are either pro/against zip ties)... can anyone recommend a guide?
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For what it's worth, found this:
https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/res2/Best-practice...
Use cable ties to hold a group of cables together or to fasten cables to other components. Choose Velcro-based cable ties versus zip ties, as there is a tendency for users to over-tighten zip ties. Over-tightening can crush the cables and impact performance.
> What is the advantage of lacing
The advantages are mostly aesthetic. For example, I have a 7.2.2 home theater setup with an AVR ... basically 14 cables going to the back of a device that is located in a place in my family room which makes it hard to obscure the cables.
I purchased white speaker cables to match my white wax lace, laced the speaker cables each at ~1.5". The lace is coated in wax, so it will coerce the cables into the right position by wrapping it around an extra 2-3 times when needed. It's more invisible than zip ties -- there's no "nub". If you're lacing the way I was taught, there's no knot. Each cable in the bundle is individually tied, as well as the bundle which means "it stays where you tied it" far better than zip ties do. This also means you have to do almost all lacing "in place" because you can't fix mistakes after the fact.
The result looks like one larger cable, made from 9 others in a horizontal row behind my receiver which makes a sharp turn directly into a port in the wall. I can remove my receiver and the 9 cables remain roughly in the same position because the lace holds.
I used black lace to cover the black power cables (separated from the speaker/signal wires).
"This old cable management technique, taught to generations of linemen, is still used in some modern applications since it does not create obstructions along the length of the cable."
I'm not saying Velcro and zip-ties don't have their place. If I'm securing a bundle to a wire support on a rack, I'll use Velcro because I know that sooner or later it'll get touched again.