It is important to ensure your cables are well secured and properly organized. According to recent statistics in Canada, up to 73% of wires and cables are well secured using cable ties.
Cable ties are usually designed to help harness components and secure wire bundles without slipping.
There are several types of cable ties which can be found in the market today such as the Velcro and nylon cable ties. Each of these ties is known to have its own features. How do you choose the best cable ties for your cabling system? Here are five important things you need to consider whenever you are choosing the cable ties.
1. Type of Material
The cable ties are usually available in different materials with each having its own specific properties. For example, the plastic materials are known to undergo property loss due to the oxidation which is caused the by exposure to higher temperatures. The low temperature exposure will make most of the plastics brittle when exposed though little properly loss will occur to the ultraviolent rays and weather in the lower temperature environments.
The colored cable ties are known to offer good resistance to the ultra violet rays and weather in the lower temperature environments.
2. Design
It is important that you always think of the type of construction needed once you have determined that you will require a material that meets your needs. The cable ties made of same material are available in a variety of constructs. The nylon cable ties can be used in a great number of applications such as securing and managing wire harness, wire management and strain relief in video cable, solar applications and desktop management. Some cable ties have metal barb in the head which is essential in reinforcing the locking mechanism.
3. Length
The lengths of cable ties can vary greatly. It is important you always think of the application where you have wire bundles that are 4” in diameter and only have a 1” diameter cable tie. Definitely, this will never work. It is advisable you always match the diameter of the cable tie with the diameter of the wire bundle. Ensure you are cognizant with the application to ensure you do not buy a short cable tie. In case the cable tie is longer, you can always cut off the excess length though choosing the right length will ensure you get the best value of your purchase.
4. Environment
Will you install the cable ties outdoors? Will they be exposed to sunlight? Is the environment hazardous for example, will you use it in a chemical plant where the ties will be exposed to acids or chemicals? Is the application high heat where thermal properties and flammability are an issue? It is important you answer all the above questions before you choose your cable tie. For example, a standard cable tie contains nylon 6.6. However, there are several types of nylon ties and choosing the right one will be essential. In any case your application includes exposure to high heat or other elements, a 6.6 weather resistant nylon or a 6.6 stabilized nylon would be ideal. The 6.6 heat stabilized nylon has a temperature range of -76°F to 239°F that is 54° higher than the 6.6 standard nylon.
5. Strength
You can only determine the strength of the cable tie you will need after you have properly understood the type of environment you will be working on. The cable strength is usually measured by obtaining its tensile strength which is usually measured in pounds or Newton and is the cables breaking point. The cable ties will be stronger as the tensile strength increases. Strength is a very important factor to consider whenever you are securing a critical wire harness.
