Cable tie

Ratcheting fastener for electrical cable

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"Cable ties" redirects here. Not to be confused with Cable Ties (band)

Assortment of cable ties

A cable tie (also known as a hose tie, tie wrap, wire tie, zap-straps, or zip tie) is a type of fastener for holding items together, primarily electrical cables and wires. Because of their low cost, ease of use, and binding strength, cable ties are ubiquitous, finding use in a wide range of other applications. Cable ties were first manufactured by Thomas & Betts under the brand name Ty-Rap.

The common cable tie, normally made of nylon, has a flexible tape section with teeth that engage with a pawl in the head to form a ratchet so that as the free end of the tape section is pulled the cable tie tightens and does not come undone. When the mouthpiece is inserted through the grooves and pulled tight, it creates a secure, adjustable loop, which locks in place like a knot. Some ties include a tab that can be depressed to release the ratchet so that the tie can be loosened or removed, and possibly reused. Stainless steel versions, some coated with a rugged plastic, cater for exterior applications and hazardous environments.[1]

Design and use

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The ratchet mechanism on the head of a cable tie Cable ties used to attach shade cloth to scaffolding at a construction site in Singapore

The most common cable tie consists of a flexible nylon tape with an integrated linear ratchet gear rack, and on one end a pawl within a small open case. Once the pointed tip of the cable tie has been pulled through the case and past the ratchet, it is prevented from being pulled back unless a large amount of force is applied; the resulting loop may only be pulled tighter. This allows several cables to be bound together into a cable bundle and/or to form a cable tree.

A cable tie tensioning device or tool may be used to apply a cable tie with a specific degree of tension. The tool may cut off the extra tail flush with the head in order to avoid a sharp edge which might otherwise cause injury. Light-duty tools are operated by squeezing the handle with the fingers, while heavy-duty versions can be powered by compressed air or a solenoid, to prevent repetitive strain injury.

In order to increase resistance to ultraviolet light in outdoor applications, nylon containing a minimum of 2% carbon black is used to protect the polymer chains and extend the cable tie's service life.[citation needed] Blue cable ties are supplied to the food industry and contain a metal additive so they can be detected by industrial metal detectors.[2] Cable ties made of ETFE (Tefzel) are used in radiation-rich environments. Red cable ties made of ECTFE (Halar) are used for plenum cabling.

Stainless steel cable ties are also available for flameproof applications&#;coated stainless ties are available to prevent galvanic attack from dissimilar metals (e.g. zinc-coated cable tray).[1]

Plastic handcuffs are based on the cable tie design and are used by law enforcement to restrain prisoners.[3] Cable ties are also sometimes used to prevent hubcaps (also known as wheel trims) from falling off a moving vehicle, and some are sold specifically for this purpose.[4] The use of cable ties in medicolegal cases is infrequent, being involved in situations of neck compression or restraint.[5]

History

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Cable ties were invented by Thomas & Betts, an electrical company, in under the brand name Ty-Rap. Initially they were designed for airplane wire harnesses. The original design used a metal tooth, and these can still be obtained. Manufacturers later changed to the nylon/plastic design.[6][self-published source]

Over the years the design has been extended and developed into numerous spin-off products. One example was a self-locking loop developed as an alternative to purse-string suture in colon anastomosis.[7]

Ty-Rap cable tie inventor, Maurus C. Logan, worked for Thomas & Betts and finished his career with the company as Vice President of Research and Development. During his tenure at Thomas & Betts, he contributed to the development and marketing of many successful Thomas & Betts products. Logan died on 12 November , at the age of 86.[8]

The idea of the cable tie came to Logan while touring a Boeing aircraft manufacturing facility in . Aircraft wiring was a cumbersome and detailed undertaking, involving thousands of feet of wire organized on sheets of 50-foot-long plywood and held in place with knotted, wax-coated, braided nylon cord. Each knot had to be pulled tight by wrapping the cord around one's finger which sometimes cut the operator's fingers until they developed thick calluses. Logan was convinced there had to be an easier, more forgiving, way to accomplish this critical task.

For the next couple of years, Logan experimented with various tools and materials. On June 24, , a patent for the Ty-Rap cable tie was submitted.[9]

Reuse

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For more Nylon Cable Tieinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

Cable ties are generally designed as single-use devices, however they can be reopened with little or no damage by inserting a small flat object between the ratchet and the pawl, and pulling the pawl out. Some models have a mechanism to release the pawl and allow re-use.

Speciality types

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A cable tie with an in-built security tag

Beaded

Beaded design allows them to be releasable and reusable

Releasable

Reusable cable ties with a releasable ratchet

Ladder style

For intermediate bundling and retail applications

Identification

Built-in flags for written or printed identification

Parallel entry

Tamper-proof, low profile heads

Tear-off

Quick release design requires no cutting tools

Pull-tight seals

Tamper-evident seals

Steggel

Heavy duty, multipurpose ties

Alternatives

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Other methods of bundling cable together securely and semi-permanently include cable lacing, strapping, binding knots such as the surgeon's knot or constrictor knot, Velcro brand hook-and-loop strips, conveyor belt hooks, twist ties, Rapstrap fasteners, or metal buckle.

See also

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References

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The cable tie is one the most versatile tools around. Ergonomic, simple-to-use, and remarkably strong, there is a cable tie for practically any situation you can imagine. That being said, each classification of cable tie (&#;zip tie&#; or &#;tie wrap&#;) is engineered to meet certain demands. It&#;s important to understand the types of stressors your system will endure, as given certain conditions, cable ties will degrade or worse, break. This could lead to system failures or safety hazards. Nylon is the predominant plastic used for cable ties and there are a number of variants, which we&#;ll cover in this blog.

The traditional tie is fabricated with nylon 6/6, featuring a well-rounded resistance profile, and is suitable for most applications. It can be produced in a variety of colors for easy identification and organization of your systems. Nylon 6/6 is rated for continuous use at up to 150°F (66°C) and its operating temp range is -40°F (-40°C) to 185°F (85°C), making nylon 6/6 cable ties a great choice for most environments. However, for situations where extreme heat is a factor, such as in electrical appliances, nylon 6/6 can by heat-stabilized for continuous exposure to temps as high as 250°F. To ensure your tie meets appropriate UL standards for high temp usage, make sure heat stabilization is clearly specified.

Need a cable tie for the outdoors? General nylon 6/6 is only moderately protective from UV radiation; however, stabilizers can be incorporated in to the resin during production to increase UV resistance. For solar panel applications or general outdoor use and extended sun exposure, make sure your tie is UV-stabilized. These ties are produced in black only.

As we can see, nylon 6/6 can be fashioned to meet specific demands, but don&#;t assume its base properties are anything to ignore.  A highly reliable solution for securing systems, nylon 6/6 is incredibly strong, flexible, and provides excellent resistance to abrasion. Though offering exceptional mechanical strength, general nylon-constructed ties are, to some degree, susceptible to chemical degradation and moisture absorption.  For better protection form harsh chemicals and moisture, you&#;ll want to utilize ties constructed with nylon 12, as its polymer chain structure resists such hazards by design. However, as we mentioned earlier it&#;s vital to understand the conditions you&#;ll be encountering, as nylon 12 is weaker than 6/6, and thus there is a certain tradeoff in regard to mechanical strength and chemical resistance. Nylon 12 can be UV-stabilized as well, and our solar ties utilize this material for superior sun and UV resistance.

Here at Nelco Products, we offer cable ties made with a variety of nylon bases, each designed to increase resiliency in their intended application. We&#;ll be happy to help you find the right tie for the job. For more information on exact specifications regarding our cable products give us a call today!

About the Author

Charlie Nelson

Charlie Nelson is the owner and founder of Nelco Cable Tie Products, which opened its doors nearly 35 years ago. Today, Nelco is one of the largest cable tie and wiring accessory companies in the country, with locations across the United States servicing customers such as NASA, 3M, Boeing, and more.

Are you interested in learning more about Nylon Cable Tie Price? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

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