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Cable management is an important aspect of electrical design. Most wires and cables are designed for static use, meaning that they are not designed for twisting and bending. Unmanaged and messy cables not only result in a messy project but also risk breaking a wire. At its most basic, cable management is about keeping your work organized, using cables of proper length, and positioning cables so that the cables are not pinched or positioned in an unnatural way.
Choosing the Proper Length
It is important to have cables of a proper length. A cable that is too long requires the excess to be tied up. Excess cable can get snagged or get caught in moving parts. A cable that is too short may just reach the device and the port on the brain, but if it puts stress on the connections, they may become disconnected when the robot or part moves.
Use VEX V5 Smart Cables or VEX 3-Wire Extension Cables that are as close to the correct cable length as possible.
When choosing the correct length, be sure that if cables pass through a hinge pivot point, you provide excess length so that there is enough length for the cable to complete the entire rotation, as shown below.
Picking the Proper Port
The VEX V5 motors and sensors can connect to any VEX V5 Smart Port on the brain. The VEX 3-wire sensors can connect to any VEX 3-Wire Port on the brain. When choosing which port to use, consider how each port will affect the cable. Ask yourself the following questions:
Is my cord long enough to reach the port?
Is a different port easier to access?
If I use this port, will my cord be organized or will it cross other wires and cause a mess?
Organizing Cables
You have picked the proper length cord and picked the appropriate port. What comes next? To finalize your project and keep your wires organized, it may be helpful to use zip ties to attach cables to the structure of the robot or model or to hold groups of cables together. When using zip ties, make sure that they do not pinch the wires.
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