A guide to cable ties

What are cable ties and what are they used for?

They’re fasteners that bundle your cables and wires together to keep them organised and prevent damage. They come in different sizes, lengths, materials and even colours. The different uses of cable ties vary across industries, but what they all have in common is that they’re the most effective way to manage your cables.

Read on for more information about cable ties such as:

• What are the cable tie types?
• What are cable tie materials?
• What are cable tie applications?
• How to remove cable ties without cutting
• Cable tie alternatives

When were cable ties invented?

They’ve been around since 1958. Who invented cable ties? Scottish-born Maurus C. Logan, who worked at Thomas & Betts. He got the idea while touring an aircraft facility, noticing how difficult and complex the job of wiring was. It involved thousands of feet of cabling manually secured with knotted, wax-coated, braided nylon cord, leaving the workers’ hands with deep cuts and callouses. This is an example of a simple invention having a profound effect on lives.

What are the cable tie types?

First, let’s get a picture of the type of cable ties available. The table below is by no means exhaustive, as there are subsets of cable ties within this table. For example, standard cable ties can be weather resistant, which gives them different applications than their cousins’.

Standard cable ties are a fantastic all-rounder, but when you need something more specialised, such as heat-proof cable ties, industrial-strength cable ties, or solutions with excellent resistance to UV rays, you can get those too.

Materials

Nylon

The most common material for cable ties, nylon is a tough material with good thermal, and abrasion resistance. It also resists fuels and most chemicals. Nylon 6/6, the grade most often used for cable ties, meets UL 94 V-2 flammability ratings and can operate in temperatures as low as -40°C. Typically, a nylon cable-tie melting point is 85°C.

Nylon cable ties can be heat stabilised for continuous or extended exposure to high temperatures of up to 121°C. The cable tie manufacturing process can also produce UV stabilised ties for outdoor use. For example, you can have the same cable tie, but manufactured for different applications.

Example:

Examples include:

• Heat stabilised
• Beaded
• Double headed
• Marker

Polypropylene

If you’re looking for chemical resistant cable ties, consider polypropylene (PE). It resists acids, polyhydric alcohols, neutral salts and basic salts, making it a better choice in this instance than nylon. It does have a lower tensile strength than nylon 6/6, but it’s also more flexible. Polypropylene can also stand up to UV exposure.

Just as you can get the same cable tie formulated differently, you can get the same cable tie in different materials. For example, beaded cable ties are available in nylon or polypropylene.

Examples include:

• Beaded
• Ball
• Standard, locking
• Belt

Low density polyethylene

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) has a high-ductile nature and less-than-average tensile strength. As a material for cable ties, it’s not commonly used. However, it stretches and conforms well to surfaces and has excellent chemical resistance to dilute and concentrated acids, alcohols, bases and esters, so it has its uses. For these reasons, it’s often used for ties that are meant to bundle cables temporarily.

Examples include:

• Hook and loop

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel cable ties provide high tensile strength. They can also stand extremely high temperatures, from –200°C to 538°C. There are two types of stainless steel used in cable ties: 304 and 316. Type 304 is used for general purposes, with both indoor and outdoor applications. When corrosion is a threat, it’s Type 316 you need.

Examples include:

• Stainless steel cable ties

What are the applications for cable ties?

Now that you understand the difference in materials, let’s look at applications. It also might help you to read Cable management – the design engineer’s application guide.

Aerospace

The average passenger airplane wields 124 miles of cables, so excellent cable management is absolutely critical. The types of cable ties needed vary. For small, tight spaces, miniature heat-stabilised cable ties are a must. For hoses and larger cables, heavy duty heat stabilised cable ties are needed. Push mount cable ties also work well for aerospace and it’s best to go with a heat-stabilised option for thermal endurance.

Automotive

If your cable ties are going under the hood, chemical and heat resistance should be your priority. In addition to standing up to oil, greases and gasoline, your cable ties should also be able to withstand harsh environments.

Consider push mount cable ties made of heat-stabilised nylon 6/6, rated UV94 V-2, and serviceable to 115°C. Stainless steel cable ties also offer excellent resistant to high temperatures and weathering.

Other cable ties for automotive applications include standard cable ties and screw or adhesive cable tie mounts, and arrow head cable ties.

Equipment manufacturing

Industrial generator parts and HVAC components vibrate. If your application is indoors, screw mount cable ties are the ideal solution. Fir-tree mount cable ties add additional stability against vibrations, while providing protection against debris ingress.

For outdoor applications, you need cable ties that can stand up to the weather and a range of temperatures. Weather-resistant standard cable ties work well. You’ll need a heat resistant cable, of course. For this, heat-stabilised cable ties, which also perform in extreme cold weather, are the ideal complement.

Consumer appliances and electronics

You’re working with limited space and will need cable ties that resist heat. This goes for consumer electronics too. An excellent choice in these conditions is an arrow head cable tie. Simply push it into your pre-drilled hole. Also look at heat stabilised cable ties. These are exceptionally strong with the additional benefit of being cost effective. Vinyl-coated adjustable clamps are actually ties and combine fantastic flexibility with secure mounting.

For temporary bundling of wires on computers, use hook and loop cable ties.

You can learn more about other components you might need in our Quick guide: industrial components for consumer appliances.

Enclosures and cabinets

An indoor data cabinet can fall victim to cable spaghetti, which happens when cables become one big mess. Standard cable ties, which come in different colours for colour coding, can prevent this. Marker cable ties can also prove helpful, allowing you to write identification information on a tag attached to the cable. Beaded cable ties are another option. You can link them together to get your desired length and some are reusable.

For an outdoor utility cabinet or any outdoor cable enclosure, UV resistance is important. Weather-resistant cable ties are an ideal solution. Beaded cable ties can work here too, if they’re UV resistant. For heavy duty applications try strap and buckle ties or stainless steel cable ties.

You can learn more about other components you might need in our Quick guide: industrial components for outdoor cabinets and Quick guide: industrial components for your indoor cabinet.

Construction and mining

In the construction and mining industries, a range of cable ties are necessary. Some need to stand up to harsh conditions while others need to handle fragile cables – some should even go beyond the call of duty.

For example, you can secure scaffolding netting and sheeting, and even the scaffolding itself, with heavy duty strap and buckle ties, which are perfect for demanding applications. The steel teeth on the buckle grips the strap permanently while the acetal strap has excellent weatherability. Stainless steel cable ties, Type 316, give you corrosion and high temperature resistance. They’re also weather resistant while providing outstanding chemical resistance.

How to remove cable ties without cutting

Ties are available as single-use and reusable. You can remove cable ties without cutting if they’re single-use, but it will slow down your processes to open them. To open a traditional tie:

Step 1: Stick a pin or even your fingernail into the locking mechanism.

Step 2: Depending on the mechanism, you’ll either push down or pull it away from the tie’s ribs.

Step 3: Slide the tie out.

We advise you not to re-use a single-use tie too many times. The more you open and retie them, the quicker the ribs, or teeth, will wear down. Another issue is the locking mechanism itself. Its grip loosens over time when you push or pull against it multiple times.

What are the cable tie alternatives?

Some cable clamps can work well as replacements. So, too, can cable straps. Instead of rubber cable ties, rubber straps can give you the flexibility you’re after and handle larger bundles.

Download free CADs and try before you buy

Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download for free. You can also request free samples to ensure the solutions you’ve chosen are exactly what you need. You might find The ultimate guide to cable management helpful. If you’re not quite sure which product will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.

Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.

Questions?

Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 0345 528 0474.