Leave messy cables alone?
As a long time electronics hobbyist, it suddenly occurred to me one day (while neatly coiling and tying up computer cables into small coils) that any coil of wire is an ”Inductor”. A “coil” in hobby-speak. It exhibits inductive reactance – higher frequencies encounter more resistance. And computer cables are antennas (as the CIA has known for decades). In other words, they act as 1 plate of a “Capacitor”, having capacitive reactance as well. Computer signals, being in the MHz (Millions of Cycles-per-Second) high frequency energy band, are subject to these high frequency effects. Nowadays I leave cables in their (somewhat random) natural mess.
There is some chance that such “coils” might have a negative effect on your computing experience. How much? Not an important issue? Any experts want to weigh in on this?
If you want neater cables, here’s one method:
1. Buy a plastic basement sump pump hose at a hardware store (it’s like a vacuum cleaner hose).
2. Cut a length of it off that roll, which matches the distance of the cable run.
3. With a knife or razor, cut a slit the whole length of that piece, such that it can be flexed open at any point along the length.
4. Squeeze all the cables into that tube, through the slit, lying parallel to each other and allowing each to exit the slit (and to be held in place by the pressure of the slit) where it needs to exit.
Cable Control
Do as I say, not as I do department:
Notice that the photo shows an AC (Alternating Current) power cable in the tubing. It’s better not to run your mains power along side your data lines, so rout your AC cable away from the others.
Having AC data lines close to AC power lines for considerable lengths may cause your data lines to pick up EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) that is, “60 cycle hum” one type of electromagnetic pollution.
Incidentally, if you do hear hum in your audio system, a common source is solid state light dimmers. If you have such dimmers, try adjusting the light level while listening to the hum. If the cause is dimmers, you’ll hear a big change in the hum. For a dimmer fix, you’ll probably need an electrician.
The aesthetic problem here is that this tubing seems to be only available in black. Audio stores sell something like this in kits (maybe Radio Shack) and perhaps they offer colors.
And yes, the parallel cables will have somewhat more capacitive reactance running along next to each other (probably not enough to cause trouble), but they’ll look neater.
I wouldn’t use this to protect cables that will be walked over though. Office supply stores sell rubberized plastic strips with a slot along the bottom for cables that need to cross aisles.
Massaging your cable connections
I’m surprised by how many problems I can fix by opening up a computer case and “massaging” all the cable connections (internal and external). Of course, this is with the mother board completely unpowered – most modern motherboards stay in standby mode (look for a lighted LED on the motherboard), until you turn off the master switch on the back or unplug the AC power cable.
I’ve heard that the San Francisco Bay Area (where I am) has more sulfur in the air because of all the sea water around and that makes electronic connections corrode faster here. Have also read that current flow (especially between any 2 different metals) slowly causes a plating action at the connection (and even more subtle electrochemical corrosive effects), plus that atmospheric corrosion. Computer connectors are mostly of a “self-wiping” design. So my “cable massage” consists of removing and re-connecting each connection 5-10 times. On my most critical client machines, I do this once per year – or whenever there is a problem where a bad connection is a suspect.
Special “contact cleaner” liquids are available that help with connector corrosion. But be careful buying one of these – if they contain a lubricant, or much of anything else which doesn’t evaporate right away, they can cause trouble. Best to ask a knowledgeable sales person at an audio or electronics store before buying – or do a thorough online search. One of my PC consulting colleagues here recommends this online store.
Please feel free to comment below…
‘Til next time – here’s to staying connected…
_jim coe
Tags: computer cables, EMI
