Cabling Netbook trolleys

[Roe]

Good morning everyone,

 

I have a little bit of a problem with power cables when it comes to netbook/laptop trolleys.

 

We used to make the cables run along the partitions of the tray fixing, them in place. This lasted for a while until students started taking netbooks out of the trolley still plugged in, yanking and damaging the cables in place. They also became massively tangled without consistent care.

 

We then tried fixing the cables to the ceiling of the tray/trolley which also worked for a while, but eventually turned out rubbish. Here is a picture of what we are currently trying.

http://postimage.org/image/32idetuis/

 

So basically we are looking for suggestions on how best to cable the trolleys in such a way that they won't get tangled or damaged but easy to use.

 

Many thanks

 

Roe

Edited March 24, 2011 by Roe
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[synaesthesia]

This is a quandry that I've tackled (or tried to) many times for many schools. Some children took care of the laptops and didn't cause a problem, others didn't.

After many different types of clips, attaching them to different parts of the trolley and watching anti-trip cables go missing quicker than a five pound note left in a shopping trolley, we ended up changing policy instead - teachers would dish out the laptops instead.

[plexer]

All of the ways you have currently tried would be fine if the equipment was looked after, as it isn't then you are fighting a battle you will never win.

 

Ben

[Roe]

Hi Syn,

 

I'm 100% behind you on that policy, although getting certain staff members to actually follow this is a different story.

 

As far as keeping cables tidy I think finding a self-winding cable hub could work really well.

[plexer]

Until they get pulled too far or the cable gets trapped down the side, sure.

 

Ben

[Roe]

This will always be an issue no matter what happens, although making it as smooth and easy to maintain would be the best way forward. Having a cable that pulls itself up to the top of the trolley and out of the way after being unplugged sounds good.

[round2it]

what we did with the trolley is we put a piece of wood at the top and cut slits in it for the power cables to come through then screwed it up tight the cables do not come out and if you cable tie them in the back to not allow any slack all is well.

 

no damage to cables as of yet

 

if you would like a picture of how ours is set up just ask.