Frequently asked questions about cable ties
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Cable ties are plastic strips used for bundling objects. Cable ties are often used for bundling cables and tubes. Cable ties are made for singular use and can, after application, not be re-used.
Cable ties are very easy to use. You use cable ties by placing / wrapping the cable tie around the objects that you want to bundle. Then, pull the end of the cable tie through the cable tie closure on the other end of the cable tie and tightly pull the cable tie. Lastly, cut off the cable tie just above the cable tie closure.
Cable ties are used in situations where different objects, often cables, are hanging loose and therefore create an unsafe situation. By bundling the cables, the cables can be put away easily and the chances of a fire breaking out due to friction, is lessened.
Most cable ties are made of Polyamide 6.6, a type of plastic. For more specialist applications, there are also cable ties available made of Polyamide 4.6, Polyamide 12, Polypropylene and Stainless Steel.
The requirements a cable tie has to meet, depend on the application. Some cable ties have to be resistant to UV radiation (because they are used outside), other have to be resistant to chemicals. For all of these requirements, we have the right cable tie.
A regular (so not a releasable) cable tie is removed by cutting the cable tie, with scissors or a knife. A releasable cable tie is removed by pulling the lever on the closure of the cable tie.
A cable tie for one-way use is released by cutting the cable tie, with a knife or scissors. If you choose to use a knife, be careful not to cut yourself, and not to damage the cable which were bundled by the cable tie.
It is impossible to single out one type of cable tie and say that it is the best – which cable tie is the best, depends on the situation in which the cable tie will be used. There is a cable tie for every possible application. Therefore, there is always a cable tie perfectly suited to your needs!
Cable ties work through a simple principle: the cable tie contains serration on the nylon sleeve, and a tongue in the closure of the cable tie. When the sleeve is pulled through the closure of the cable tie, the tongue locks into the serration. From then on, the sleeve can only be pulled further through the closure, and cannot go back.
A cable tie is sometimes also called a zip tie, Ty-Rap (a brand name) or Tyrap. Cable ties are used for bundling objects, such as cables.
What weight cable ties can withstand, also called the tensile strength, depends on the type and the width of the cable tie. Regular cable ties have a minimal tensile strength of 8 kg, but the tensile strength can reach 160 kg with stronger cable tie types, such as stainless steel cable ties.
The strength of a cable tie depends on its tensile strength. The tensile strength is determined by ‘closing’ a cable tie by putting the nylon sleeve through the closure, followed by straining the cable tie until it breaks – the closure is usually the weak spot. The tensile strength is different for different types of cable ties. Stainless steel cable ties are the strongest, with a tensile strength of 160 kg.
Not all cable ties are UV resistant. Black cable ties are, by default, resistant to UV. In addition, there are special UV resistant cable ties, for use in environments where the cable tie will be exposed to UV radiation.
Yes, all black cable ties are UV resistant. Due to the level of soot in black cable ties, they are suited for use in environments with direct exposure to UV radiation. When your cable ties have tob e UV resistant, then use black cable ties.
No, it is not possible to make cable ties longer once they have been applied. A cable tie can, when the sleeve has been put through the closure, only be made tighter.
Cable ties can be closed by putting them around the objects that should be bundled in a loop, followed by pulling the sleeve of the cable tie through the closure of the cable tie. You can then pull the sleeve, until it has reached the desired size.
Cable ties are mostly used to bundle cables, but can also be used to fixate other objects, such as a banner to a fence or to guide a plant – the possible applications are endless!
Yes, you can print on cable ties. Cable ties with a width of 4.8 mm up to 13 mm can be printed, with the length of the cable tie ranging from 200 mm up to 1000 mm. The print can be done in the colors white, black, red and blue. Cable ties in all colors can be printed.
Cable ties were invented in 1958 by Thomas & Betts, a part of the ABB Group. Maurus Logan, the inventor of the cable tie, saw that employees of Boeing bundled cables using nylon wires. This often resulted in the employees cutting themselves in their hands. As a solution, he invented the cable tie as we know it.
The cable tie as we now know it has been invented by Maurus C. Logan, an engineer working at Thomas & Betts. He patented the first, original cable tie in 1958.
The longest cable tie that WKK offers is 1030 mm long and 13 mm wide. Using this cable tie, objects or cable with a maximum diameter of 295 mm can be bundled.
Yes, cable tie scan melt, but when they melt, depends on the maximal temperature to which the cable tie is resistant. ‘Standard’ cable ties are resistant to maximum temperatures up to 85 °C, but heat resistant cable ties are resistant to temperatures up to +150 °C.
A regular cable tie is resistant to a maximum temperature of 85 °C. There are also heat resistant cable ties, which can withstand temperatures of up to 120 °C and extra heat resistant cable ties which can withstand temperatures of up to 150 °C.
Heat resistant cable ties are made of modified Polyamide 6.6 and are resistant to temperature ranging from -40 °C and +120 °C (instead of +85 °C). They meet the fire protection class UL 94 V2 and meet the UL and Lloyd’s norms. Extra heat resistant cable ties are resistant to extreme temperatures of up to +150 °C.
Heat resistant cable ties are suited for environments in which high temperatures occur regularly. The uses of these cable ties are diverse – they are used in cars for example and in the oil industry.
Cable ties made of polypropylene are chemically resistant and float on water. They are resistant to temperatures of up to +85 °C. Tefzel® cable ties are resistant to chemicals and are, in addition, resistant to radiation and extreme temperatures (up to +150 °C).
Chemically resistant cable ties are very well suited for use in extreme conditions and environments in which chemicals are used. The cable tie, made of polypropylene, has a green color and is available in 5 different lengths.
Tefzel® cable ties are made of the well known material Tefzel®, and are therefore resistant to chemicals, radiation and extreme temperatures, up to 150 °C. Cable ties made of Tefzel® have a blue color.
Detectable cable ties are mostly used to easily detect pollution due to broken cable ties in the food industry. Detectable cable ties are made of a mix of polyamide 6.6 and an evenly distributed concentration of metal pigments. Therefore, even the smallest parts of these cable ties can be detected.
Detectable cable ties are very well suited for use in the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, animal feed industry and chemical industry. Due to their blue colour, they stand out, making visual detection easier. Detectable cable ties are available in 5 different lengths and are resistant to temperatures of up to +85 °C.
In addition to plastic cable ties, made of various types of plastics, there is another option: stainless steel cable ties. Stainless steel cable ties have properties that make these cable ties sutied for a lot of applications, especially in tougher conditions.
Stainless steel cable ties are mostly used for extreme applications, in which plastic cable ties do not meet the requirements. Due to their high tensile strength, high heat resistance and excellent corrosion protection, stainless steel cable ties can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Uncoated stainless steel cable ties are perfect for heavy duty applications. They can be used for applications in which a tensile strength higher than 114 kg is required and are resistant to temperatures of up to 538 °C. Coated stainless steel cable ties are resistant to temperatures of up to 150 °C.
Regular cable ties can only be used once, since you have to cut them when removing the cable tie. Releasable cable tie, also called reusable cable ties, can be used more than once.
Releasable cable ties, or reusable cable ties, can be released after use, and be re-used. They should therefore not be cut when removed. Releasable cable ties are resistant to temperatures of up to 85 °C, are available in 8 lengths and in the colours natural, black (UV resistant), red and blue.
When the tongue of the cable tie anchors itself in the cable tie, the cable tie is ‚locked‘. By pulling the lever on the head of the cable tie, the cable tie can again be opened and released.
Releasable cable ties are suited for applications in which it is likely that the object(s) that are bundled / fixated will have to be released and then be fixated / bundled again later on. They are, for example, often used for bundling cables in offices. When a new cable is added or a cable is removed, on can easily release the cable tie, add of remove a cable, and bundle the cables again.
Releasable cable ties are used similarly to regular cable ties, with one big difference: when you have applied the releasable cable tie, you do not cut off the end of the cable tie. By not doing this, you can still use the cable tie for applications with a larger diameter. To release a releasable cable tie, you simply pull the lever on the head of the cable tie.
Push mount cable ties are suited for bundling and guiding cable along a pre-drilled hole. These cable ties are resistant to temperatures of up to 85 °C, are available in six lengths and are available in the colours natural and black (UV resistant).
These cable ties contain a writeable label, using which a cable can easily be labeled. These cable ties are resistant to temperatures of up to 85 °C, are available in 7 different lengths and are available in the colours natural and black (UV resistant).
Cable ties with marker label are perfect for situations in which loose cables have to be bundled and, at the same time, have to be marked or given identification. Important, brief texts can be written on the label.
Chassis cable ties (also called buttonhead cable ties) are used to bundle and guide cables on or along a chassis. These cable ties are mostly used in the automotive industry, are resistant to temperatures of up to 85 °C and are available in the colours natural and black (UV resistant).
With self-adhesive cable tie mounts, cables and tubes can easily be guided and fixated. A self-adhesive mount can, for example, be attached to a wall, after which a cable tie can be guided through the mount. Available in the colours natural and black (UV resistant).
With screw mount for plastic cable ties cables and tubes can easily be guided and fixated. Screw mount can easily be attached to surfaces using a screw and the hole in the middle of the mount. Then, a cable tie can be guided through the screw mount. Available in the colours natural and black (UV resistant).
A cable tie tool is perfect for bundling cables with a cable tie in a fast and easy way. In addition, cable tie tools have an ergonomic hand grip, making them perfect for people who work with cable ties on a daily basis.
The cable tie should first be placed around the objects that should be bundled. Then, pull the cable tie tightly. Make sure the right amount of tension is set on the cable tie tool. Place the cable tie tool on the head of the cable tie. Then, pull the trigger of the cable tie tool to pull the cable tie tightly and to cut it when the desired tension has been reached.
Cable ties are often made of polyamide 6.6, a hygroscopic material. This means that the cable ties can both absorb and eject fluids. Store your cable ties away from direct sunlight, in the original packaging and away from sources of heat. A constant temperature of 23 °C is perfect.
Cable ties can be bought at DIY stores. In addition, there are a few online specialists, including WKK. For more information, you can contact us through sales@wkk.nl.