How To Coil A Cable

You may think you know how, but if you're still winding “dog bones”, you're doing it wrong. Improper coiling can shorten the functional life of any cable. Here's the over-under method for properly coiling any type of AV cable.

THE WRAP Step 1 - Over Loop: Take the male connector in your left hand. Make a one-foot diameter loop in the clockwise direction. The connector end will face you.

Step 2 - Under Loop: With your right hand, grab the cable about two feet from your left hand. Your right fingers should be over the top of the cable with the thumb underneath (see figure 2). Now move your right hand toward the left hand, rotating your right hand clockwise (see figure 3). Grab the top of this new loop with your left fingers. Your right fingers should point toward your left hand. Now, adjust the loop so it is the same size as the first loop.

Step 3 - Over Loop: The next loop is done the same way as the first over loop.

Continue: Each loop then alternates over and under until you reach the other end. The cable should be coiled neatly in your left hand.

When you are done, use a Velcro cable tie wrap, string, or something to keep the coils together. Be sure to store the cables carefully in a box or on a hook. This method helps you easily separate the cables for a fast setup the next time you use them.

This method also will force you to untangle the cable before you wrap it, or your coils will not be nice and even. Cables that are already in poor shape may not be retrainable because of permanent twists and kinks.

THE UNWRAP

Hold the coil in your left hand the same way it was wrapped. Take the connectors in each hand, and throw out the cable. It should lay out, ready to use. Be sure that one end has not passed through the loops. If it has, you will have a tangle at every loop.

Wrapping cables with this method will ensure twist-free cables that that are ready for a fast set-up.

Sources: Source: PRO AV Magazine Publication date: April 1, 2007
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