WARNIING!!! Newbie Question - Cable Storage

[Simon_RL]

Hi All,

I apologise for this question in advance. I have done a search of the forum and the internet and cannot find any conclusive answers. Basically I am an absolute noob (only just learnt Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law) to electronics and this forum. I am trying to find out if it is ok to hang test cables, such as oscilloscope probes, multimeter leads etc..? My work space is a little cramped and was thinking if I can hang my test cables it will be great as they as to hand.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Simon.

[Yansi]

Yes, they can hang.

[Simon_RL]

Thanks Yansi

[magic]

Make sure the ends are pointing up or all electrons will fall out

As for scope probes, these are coaxial cables so try not to bend them too much.
You can coil them in about 15cm diameter (like they come in the package) and hang the resulting donut on a hook, but if you bend them in half and then hang, I think it may not be healthy for the cable.

[rstofer]

Consider these E-Z Hook Cable and Test Lead Wall Brackets:

https://www.amazon.com/Z-Hook-EZHWB14-Cable-Bracket/dp/B002YKERFS

Scroll down and you will see they come with differing slot widths for different size cable.

[ebclr]

I have thosE Pomona ones, and they are greaT

https://www.amazon.com/Pomona-1508-POM-Holder-Diameter/dp/B00JXPSKX2/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=pomona+cable+holder&qid=1578089051&sr=8-3

[Gregg]

If you are on a budget and have some slotted plastic wire way, one piece can be cut and made into two nice test lead hangers.

[aix]

If you have access to a 3D printers, there are lots of designs on thingiverse (search for "test lead").

For my lab, I made a variant of this (which is based around a DIN rail): https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2934716

[nfmax]

Eventually, you will need a place to put test leads *away* in, rather than just hanging them all up - you run out of wall. When that time arrives, I suggest using Ziploc or similar bags, with one (coiled) cable only per bag. Insert also a piece of card to stiffen the bag (and optionally carry a label), and arrange them in a drawer like an old-style card file. This makes for very compact storage, but with easy access. Make sure you use identical bags.

For scope probes, with their associated accessories, you can get more robust plastic wallets with a zip closure from Staples and similar places. An A5 size is just about right for most probes. These don't need any extra stiffening, and a label will stick to the plastic directly.

[Simon_RL]

Thanks all, there are some great ideas. Lots of food for thought.

[GreyWoolfe]

Eventually, you will need a place to put test leads *away* in, rather than just hanging them all up - you run out of wall. When that time arrives, I suggest using Ziploc or similar bags, with one (coiled) cable only per bag. Insert also a piece of card to stiffen the bag (and optionally carry a label), and arrange them in a drawer like an old-style card file. This makes for very compact storage, but with easy access. Make sure you use identical bags.

For scope probes, with their associated accessories, you can get more robust plastic wallets with a zip closure from Staples and similar places. An A5 size is just about right for most probes. These don't need any extra stiffening, and a label will stick to the plastic directly.

There really isn't any wall space by my workbench so I use the plastic Chinese take away containers with the clear lids for test leads, BNC cables and scope probes.  Mongolian Beef, extra extra spicy (YUM) and re-purposing to keep them out of the landfill!  Use of a label maker lets me know what's what when they are stacked on the shelf.  Empty ones stack well and small and are there as you expand your collection.