There are a number of specific safety precautions to follow when working with auto control cables. First, always ensure that power to the equipment being worked on is off. If it is necessary to handle electrical devices with their power on, it is important to use tools with non-conductive handles and wear gloves if possible. It is also a good idea to keep metal objects, such as watch bands and rings, away from the equipment.

Next, be aware that electrical cords and wires emit heat while in use. This warmth normally harmlessly dissipates, but when a cable is coiled around a reel it can build up and melt the protective insulation, which presents a serious electrocution risk. This is why it is a good practice to unwind all electrical cables from their reels before energizing them.

Control cable hardware includes a variety of different types of fittings on the ends of the cables. Most common is a swage type terminal. Other types include nicopress and woven splices. When swaging a cable end, be sure to use a proper swaging tool and make sure the sleeve is fully compressed. Also, it is a good idea to measure the internal length of the terminal barrel and apply a preservative compound to the cable end before swaging.

Another piece of control cable hardware is the fairlead. These are usually made from a nonmetallic material, such as phenolic, and completely encircle the cable where it passes through holes in bulkheads and other metal parts. The fairleads help to guide the cable in a straight line, preventing it from stretching or getting caught between structural members during violent maneuvers.