4 EV Charger Cable Management Systems Compared

The National Electrical Code (NEC) requires an EV charger cable management solution for cables over 25 feet (7.5 meters) long. Even if your charging cables are shorter, however, it’s a good idea to use cable management tools.

Why? Because loose cables are risky. They can trip EV owners or become a fraying shock hazard. They’re also valuable assets; managing cables is a key part of protecting EV charging equipment as a whole. 

Of course, the NEC doesn’t tell you exactly what kind of cable management solution to use. There are a few competing designs on the market. Here are the four major categories of EV charger cable management systems — along with some tips for choosing the one that’s best for your charging station. 

4 Types of EV Charger Cable Management Equipment

In practice, the key difference between cable management systems is how much effort they require. Some require users to manually put cables away; others automate the process. 

Other differences include cost, size, and infrastructure requirements. We offer recommendations mostly to industrial users, so keep that in mind; if you need a simple set up for a home garage EV charger, our advice may not apply. 

With that in mind, and regardless of your use case, here are the four major types of EV charger cable management systems currently on the market:  

1. The J Hook

This is the simplest approach to EV charger cable management, and the one you’re likely to find on most mass-produced EV charger stands: A simple J-hook. Users manually coil cables around this static cable holder after use. 

A J-hook is usually the most affordable type of cable holder, but it has one key disadvantage: It requires extra effort from users. If you operate a commercial charging station, you might not want to ask customers to carefully restore cables after every charge. And if you operate a busy fleet-charging depot, drivers may simply not have the time to spare. 

2. Channel Clips

Channel clips suspend charging cables more or less permanently along a predetermined route. They consist of multiple single-point cable holders, which you install on a wall or ceiling. 

That can create a convenient charging situation — assuming your access needs never change. For commercial or fleet chargers, channel clips simply don’t offer the flexibility you need to charge multiple types of EVs. Channel clips also require walls or ceilings, which may not be available in outdoor charging installations. 

3. Overhead Suspension Arms

Here’s a more elaborate way to keep EV charger cables elevated: A horizontal metal pole, mounted on a wall or post, that routes your cable overhead, then down to the vehicle’s charging port. 

Some of these cable arms are extendable and retractable. Some swivel up to 180 degrees, providing better access to the charging connector. Users can mount these devices as far overhead as they need, matching the length of the charging cable and the needs of EV drivers. 

These systems typically cost a bit more than J-hooks or channel clips. They also require walls or posts that may not be near to your outdoor charger installation. But they do a good job of keeping charging cables safely out of the way of pedestrians and vehicle traffic. 

4. EV Charger Cable Retractors

EV Charger Cable Retractors consist of a spring-loaded, auto-retracting reel, ending in a cable clamp and protected by a weather-resistant steel housing. 

This system pulls charging cables up and out of the way automatically, while still providing easy access to the charger connector during use. Auto-retracting functionality makes this a safer choice than a simple J-hook, which depends on users to keep cables elevated. 

EV Charger Cable Retractors can be mounted on walls or EV Charger Pedestals, which makes them ideal for indoor or outdoor installations, regardless of space requirements. They’re much smaller than an overhead suspension arm, making them the most versatile and reliable of the four types of EV charger cable management systems explored here. 

Both wall-mounted and pedestal-mounted EV Charger Cable Retractors are available from Solus Group. But these cable management systems are also built into our EV Charger Pedestal and Cable Management Kit solutions. 

If you’re looking for an EV charger stand with integrated cable management, then, the EV Charger Pedestal from Solus Group is an ideal solution. Learn more about EV charger cable management — and other EV charger handling equipment — by contacting Solus Group at 314-696-0200.