Active Vibration Control, AFM Noise, Soundproof Hood, Vibration Measurement Equipment

Cable Management

 

IMPACT OF POOR CABLE MANAGEMENT

 

     Illustration of Cable Weighting
Vibrations introduced into an isolated system via cabling are a common problem for sensitive instruments.  Cables can carry vibrations from an auxiliary piece of equipment, like a pump or fan, into the chassis of a sensitive instrument. Cables can also transmit noise - Vibration, Acoustic, or EMI - from walls, the ground, or other ambient sources. This type of noise is called parasitic noise.
           
Parasitic noise is especially troublesome because it can bypass vibration isolation systems, acoustic enclosures, and EMI cancellation systems. Since the noise is ported directly into the body of the instrument, it can be almost impossible to overcome.
 
 

 

BEST PRACTICES
 
Fortunately, with good cable management practices this noise can be stopped in its tracks. The most common technique to overcome cable noise is to add some weights to the cables. Any cable which is connected to a noise-generating piece of machinery should be carefully weighted. Figures 1 - 3 show some cables weighted down.  In these examples each steel bar weighs about 10 lbs.  Placing weight on the noise-generating equipment may also help reduce parasitic vibrations.
           
When the cable is being passed into a soundproof hood, they should be clamped to the floor or to the body of the enclosure so that the noise is diffused before it reaches the instrument. Cables which are passed into a Faraday cage or EMI cancellation system should be well grounded with conductive material.
 
Some other best practices for cable management include:
 
  • Ensure that cables have slack in them and are not pulled taut. Taut cables will transmit noise very efficiently.
  • Separate and arrange the cables so they do not touch each other.
  • Experiment with various weights on the cables to get the maximum noise reduction. Generally speaking, the stiffer the cable the more weight is required.  Be careful!  Adding too much weight to a cable which transmits gas or water can create a pinch point.  Too much weight can also damage certain cables.
  • Looping small diameter cables and allowing them to swing freely will reduce parasitic vibrations
  • For large diameter cables, use weights with a damping material. Select a visco-elastic material that is capable of absorbing the frequencies of concern.
 
 



Active Vibration Control | Vibration Isolation Systems | Acoustic Enclosure | Soundproof Hood | AFM Noise | Vibration Measurement Equipment