Rack Cable Management

Having a well-organised server rack can help your organisation save time and costs. Cluttered cables not only look untidy, they can reduce airflow and cause IT systems to overheat. Investing in proper rack cable managers lets you bundle and route long cables, avoiding tangles and facilitating airflow to improve system performance and reliability.

Rack cable management covers a range of products used to organise network cables within a server rack cabinet. RS New Zealand carries steel ring panels, adjustable cable organisers, cable trays, and cable entry panels to help meet server rack cabling requirements across data centres, server rooms, and IT infrastructure installations throughout New Zealand.

Why Is Cable Management Important?

19-inch rack accessories prevent cables from being accidentally unplugged or pulled out of servers, protecting the integrity of a network and reducing unplanned downtime. Poorly managed cables are also a trip hazard in server rooms and data centres where staff regularly access equipment. Organising cables makes it significantly easier and quicker to make changes to rack servers, add new hardware, or maintain existing equipment without disrupting live connections.

An important part of cable management is labelling all cabling clearly so that individual runs can be identified without tracing. An organised system of cable organisers, trays, entry panels, and management arms produces a tidy installation that is both safer and easier to service.

Types of Rack Cable Management Solutions

RS New Zealand stocks four types of rack cable management products to suit different cabling requirements within a server rack cabinet.

Cable Organisers

A cable organiser, sometimes referred to as a cable manager, cable carrier, or cable tidy, bundles and routes cables within a server rack. Many rack panels feature rings that cables pass through, keeping runs neat and individually identifiable. The rings can be made from plastic, metal, or Velcro. Cable managers also provide additional support to cables, reducing strain on connectors and extending the service life of network cabling.

Cable Trays

Cable trays allow cables to be rested and routed around the server cabinet without binding or sharp bending. Unlike cable organisers, trays do not use rings or loops. They often feature open venting or gaps along the base to promote airflow around cables and reduce the risk of heat build-up within the cabinet.

Cable Entry Panels

A cable entry panel, also known as a cable entry seal or brush strip seal, protects network hardware from dust and contaminants entering the cabinet alongside cabling. Cables pass through a brush-lined panel opening that strips debris before it can enter the enclosure. Some models include an internal latch that requires a key to open, maintaining the security of a sealed cabinet without compromising cable routing.

Cable Management Arms

Cable management arms attach directly to racking within a server cabinet, providing sufficient cable slack to pull running equipment out of a 19-inch rack for servicing without unplugging or removing any cables. This reduces mechanical stress on cable connectors and extends cable lifespan. Most arms are hinged or articulated to offer flexibility across different racking configurations.

How to Choose the Right Cable Management Solution

Consider your rack setup, cable volume, and installation needs when choosing a cable management solution.

• Rack Size and Compatibility: Check that the cable management product you choose matches your cabinet's rack unit height and 19-inch rail standard. RS NZ products are available in standard U heights and are designed for use with 19-inch cabinets.
• Cable Volume: High cable density installations benefit from ring-style cable organisers that keep individual runs separated and identifiable. Lower density installations may only require a cable tray for basic routing and support.
• Material: Plastic and Velcro rings suit lightweight cabling and general IT environments. Metal ring panels and steel cable entry panels are preferable where durability, rigidity, or physical security is a requirement.
• Fixed vs Movable Equipment: For equipment that is regularly extended out of the rack for servicing, a cable management arm is essential to prevent cable strain and accidental disconnection. Fixed or permanently installed equipment can be managed with static organisers and trays.

Applications of Rack Cable Management

Rack cable management helps keep IT installations organised, accessible, and reliable across various environments.

• Data Centres: High-density server environments require organised cable management to maintain airflow between equipment, reduce heat build-up, and allow rapid fault isolation and hardware changes without disrupting live services.
• Server Rooms: Dedicated server rooms in commercial and industrial facilities rely on organised cabling to maintain network reliability, simplify routine maintenance, and meet health and safety requirements around trip hazards.
• Network Cabinets and Wiring Closets: Smaller IT installations in offices, schools, and retail environments use cable organisers and entry panels to keep patch panel cabling tidy and protect equipment from dust ingress.
• IT Infrastructure Installations: Any IT installation involving 19-inch rack-mounted switches, patch panels, servers, or PDUs benefits from cable management to support long-term maintainability and reduce the risk of accidental disconnection.

Shop Rack Cable Management at RS NZ

RS is a trusted supplier and distributor of rack cable management equipment, stocking Rittal, nVent SCHROFF and RS PRO cable organisers, cable trays, entry panels, and management arms for 19-inch rack installations. Complement your cable management setup with rackmount enclosures and network cabinets, all available from the RS NZ enclosures and racking range. Browse the full selection online and order for delivery across New Zealand.

Whether you need cable trays, rack panels, or cable management arms, RS New Zealand makes it easy to order the right solution online or by phone. Once your order is placed, you will receive confirmation and tracking updates as it is processed and dispatched. Local NZ stock items are available for next working day delivery, while extended range products may take longer. For complete information related to delivery and charges, visit our delivery page.