Splice

On a weekly basis I find myself using a bunch of different cables like XLRs, 1/4″, HDMI, HD-SDI, etc. Now, I was paying attention in university during my audio techniques classes when my teacher taught us how to properly wrap cables. Mind you, this was quite a few years back and it seems cable wrapping techniques have come a long way since then.

Today I learned about a much better method of wrapping cables and frankly I’m never going back to my old ways! This method is good for coaxial, twisted pair, electrical, multicore, triax and fiber cables. This means it’s not only good for audio and video cables, but also for Ethernet and Telephone cables.

The method in question is called the Over/Under technique. Not only does it allow the cable to lay flat without any loops sticking out but it actually puts less stress on the conductors and therefore prolongs your precious cable’s life. It also makes it very easy to unwrap the cable in one move and you don’t have to waste any time dealing with knots.

There are several how-to guides out there on this technique. My favorite is this video by Chris Babbie.

Instead of always twisting the cable clockwise when you are wrapping it, like most people learned, you basically alternate between a clockwise and an anticlockwise twist with each loop. Here’s another explanation with pictures.

I was amazed by this technique. Mainly because I was so surprised that I had not come across it before. Time to go practice my new wrapping skills!