Wire Management Tips

Whether it’s for awards or overall easy access, a FIRST robots wiring should be maintained and protected when inside the robot. These are some important tips learned over the years, that should generally be followed.

• Wires passing through the frame should always be covered in a protective material. Most often, Skyview Robotic students will use wire loom with provide an easy and thick material allowing wear and tear. It’s important to secure this with zip ties and mounts.

• Allow a decent amount of slack or extra wire on runs throughout the robot. This ensures that through vigorous competition, bumping, shaking, etc. will not pull a wire out.

• Administer a “tug test” on each wire and crimp you perform. For the same reason as the last, any loose connections that cannot handle a tug, should be further strengthened to ensure good connections.

• Ensure all ports are clean, and vacuumed if need be. Any stray dirt, or ESPECIALLY metal shavings, could short components out or make them have spotty connections.

• For clean and organized runs, use zip ties and mounts to keep wires in place. This is especially important when wires run up the robot and could possibly be snagged by another moving object. By zip tying them down, allows less room for something to catch onto it.

• Use tables, check lists, and task managers to make sure all tasks are complete.

• Communicate with other build teams to ensure any moving parts will not interfere with wires.