1 Audio/Video Production Cable Coiling Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.

1

Audio/Video Production

Cable Coiling

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

Cable Coiling

A basic job skill in the audio and video production industry is being able to properly coil, deploy, and store power of microphone and video cables according to industry standards.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

2

Cable Coiling

3

How do we benefit when we properly coil, deploy, and store our cables?

• We Save Time!

• We Save Money!

• We look like Professionals!

• It will help you get a job!

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

Common Cable Types

4

Power extension cords

4Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

Common Cable Types

5

Microphone cables

5Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

Common Cable Types

6

Video coax cables

6Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

Cable Coiling

7

Your cables will treat you as well as you treat them. So, treat them well!

Not so good… Much better…

7Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

How to coil a cable:

8

Around Elbow

Through Hand

Around Elbow

Through Hand

Around Elbow

Through Hand

Through Hand

NO!

NO!

NO!

8Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

How to coil a cable:

9

It is very common for people to coil their cables improperly! Most people do not know the problems these incorrect methods create over the life of their cables.

The “Around Elbow, Through Hand” coiling process creates unwanted twists in the cable causing unnecessary tangles and knots.

9Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Figure 8” Method:

10

• When dealing with large, thick or long cables, the “Figure 8” method will often be the method of choice.

10Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Figure 8” Method:

11

• Coiling a cable using the “Figure 8” method.

11Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Figure 8” Method:

12

• Let’s practice the “Figure 8” method

1. Practice on making it work!

2. Practice on making it beautiful!

3. Practice on coiling it quickly!

12Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Figure 8” Method:

13

• Let’s practice the “Figure 8” method

1. Practice on making it work!

A. Walk out the cable

13Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Figure 8” Method:

14

• Let’s practice the “Figure 8” method

1. Practice on making it work!

B. Coil it properly

14Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Figure 8” Method:

15

• Let’s practice the “Figure 8” method

1. Practice on making it work!

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Everyone do this six times with each cable type…

15Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Over/Under” Method:

16

1. Over

2. Under

1. Over

2. Under

1. Over

2. Under

16Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Over/Under” Method:

17

• Let’s practice the “Over/Under” method

1. Practice on making it work!

2. Practice on making it beautiful!

3. Practice on coiling it quickly!

17Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Over/Under” Method:

18

• Let’s practice the “Over/Under” method

1. Practice on making it work!

A. Walk out the cable

18Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Over/Under” Method:

19

• Let’s practice the “Over/Under” method

1. Practice on making it work!

B. Coil it properly

1. Over

2. Under

19Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Over/Under” Method:

20

• Let’s practice the “Over/Under” method

1. Practice on making it work!

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

Everyone do this a dozen times with each cable type…

20Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

The “Over/Under” Method:

21

• The “Over/Under” method can also be done with long and heavy cables on the ground.

1. Over

2. Under

1. Over

2. Under

1. Over

And, so on…21Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved.

Images and other multimedia content used with permission. 

Cable Storage

22

• Organize your cables by type and length• Cables should be stacked neatly on a shelf or

on a pegboard when not in use.

22Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2011. All rights reserved. Images and other multimedia content used with permission.