If you are like most people, you probably have a lot of cables and wires for the electronics in your home. There are cables for your stereo, TV, PC, laptop, digital camera, telephone, mobile phones, and then there are all of the surge protectors and extension cords that you also use with electronics. Trying to manage these cables in your everyday life can be difficult enough, but it can really become disastrous when you are moving. Follow these tips cable management tips to make your next move much easier.
Take Pictures before you Disassemble
This will make it much easier to figure out which cables go where when you are trying to set your electronics up again, especially with complicated configurations like stereos, entertainment centers, and PCs.
Put Cables into Individually Labeled Plastic Bags
All the cables for an electronic should be kept together. Put them into plastic storage bags and DON’T FORGET TO LABEL THE BAGS!
Wrap and Secure Cables First
Before putting cables into the plastic bags, they should be carefully wrapped. This will keep the cables from getting twisted, which could cause the wires inside to malfunction. Note that long cables should NEVER be coiled around your arm (this causes a twisting in one direction and can damage the cables). Instead, follow the advice given in this video. Once the cables are wrapped, you will need to secure them. You can use twist-ties or tape. Binder clips also work great at holding cables together.
Note the Location of Outlets before You Move
You might not have needed an extension cord for your PC in your old home, but find that you need one in the new home because of where the outlets are situated. It is good practice to note the location of all outlets in the new home so you can properly plan your electronics setup. Otherwise, you might need to rush out to buy new extension cords or go without your beloved electronics for the days following the move.