Properly Secure Low Voltage Wires and Data Cables

Secure low voltage wires and data cables to prevent hazardous situations and component issues. Two very common brands for cable management are Arrow, who specializes in staple guns, and Gardner Bender, who specializes in manually installed staples and fasteners. You may find these products either in the hardware section, electrical section, or both of your local home improvement store.

Both, Arrow and Gardner Bender provide descriptive sites to help choose the right product.

• Staple Gun – (i) There are specialized staples and staple guns per cable and wire application. A standard staple gun can possibly damage a cable or wire that’s intended for a specific shape of staple. (ii) Using a hammer will not work with staples designed for a staple gun. The staples are too thin in material and will bend when hit.
• Manual Staple – (i) This financially makes the most sense if doing some rearranging or a small remodel. Fasteners are more robust than staple gun staples and designed to be tacked on with a hammer. (ii) Thermostat, phone, alarm and speaker wires fall under the low voltage group when looking for the proper staples. Data cable will have it’s own design of fastener.

Tips:

• When planning your project, take notes on the exact cable or wire you are wanting to fasten, and consider the length of staple needed as various sizes are offered. Also, various colors of staples are available to better blend with your project when exposed in a finished area.
• Buy extra staples as you can always return unused packages, and they are fairly cheap even if  to keep in your own stockpile.
• Use as many staples to the point where you feel the cable or wire is secure without excessive slack. There is no exact spacing to follow in this case.
• When using the smaller manual staples consider holding the staple with a tool of some sort. (i) Wire strippers work well as they are narrow and not as bulky as standard pliers. (ii) A pair of needle nose pliers may be useful at times. (iii) As shown, you can get creative and use a telescoping alligator clip. This little tool allows you to adjust how far your hand is away from the staple, and has a firm grasp of the staple. (iv) There are also special magnetic tools to help hold nails and staples.