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I currently have at home an 42U server cabinet (which I am very happy with ;) ). Since those things are really big, its current location is not that optimal, but it works. It stands against the wall, and if I want to access the back I have to move the cabinet a little. This is not ideal, but is okay for now.

The problem I am currently running into is that the cables get snagged. When I move the cabinet the cables move along and I am afraid that one will get stuck in the wheels.

How can I solve or mitigate this problem?  For example, is there some kind of mechanism that can move when moving the cabinet? Something like this, but for cables, of course, and that could fit inside the cabinet? Maybe there is something that puts a little pressure on the cables and when moving back to the wall that it automatically rolls it back up.

Or maybe there is something that I could put or attach to the floor that moves along?

Does this exist, and what is its name?

I know moving a cabinet is not ideal, but there is simply no better option right now. I have checked the amount that it can handle on the wheels and checked the weight of the components to see if I am on the right side of the threshold.

No product/shopping recommendations, please.

Scott - Слава Україні
  • 22,532

4 Answers4

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When I move the cabinet the cables move along

and I am afraid that at the certain moment one will get stuck in the wheels

Solution 1:

You can use a pulley system.

  • Buy a pulley:

enter image description here

  • Attach the pulley to the wall.
  • The pulley needs to be attached to the wall more than 1 meter above the height where the cables will hang when the cabinet is against the wall (this allows you to move the cabinet by 1 meter as required).
  • Run a length of cord though the pulley.
  • Attach one end of the cord to the cabinet.
  • Make a loop in the other end of the cord around the cables.
  • When you move the cabinet it will pull on the cord and lift the cables.
  • Use trial and error to make the cord the right length.
  • The correct cord length will keep the cables off the floor when the cabinet is against the wall and allow at least 1 meter of movement before the cables get close the the pulley

Solution 2:

  • Have a 2nd pulley attached to the cabinet.
  • Put a loop at both ends of the cord.
  • Attach both loops to each other and around the cables.
  • Then the cables would lift in the middle between the wall and the cabinet instead of next to the wall.
  • This may put less stress on the cables.
DavidPostill
  • 162,382
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You can hang the mid-point of the cable bundle from elastic/rubber band etc depending on load, fastened to either the wall or cabinet, or for a longer stretch from ⅓ & ⅔ points, one elastic to each, wall & cabinet, in reverse order.

It's an old audio engineer's trick.

Tetsujin
  • 50,917
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There are devices like this:

diagram of cable arm

They hold the cables and fold or unfold as they are pulled or pushed. These devices exist to solve the stated problem.

I found this by searching for "cable arm".

Kevin Panko
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Freiheit
  • 669
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I have thought about using this idea.

https://www.amazon.com/Carrier-10x10mm-Plastic-Connector-Screwdriver/dp/B096MK34FG/ref=asc_df_B096MK34FG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693270340020&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12808374585598082914&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9190999&hvtargid=pla-1950583164845&mcid=86cc09e81d9f3a3dab59edacf8c9f837&th=1

Brian Piontek
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