When choosing the correct cable tie for your project, there are many things to take into account. We explain everything you need to consider.
All cable ties are definitely not born equal and it’s vital to use the correct tie for the task in hand, for all of the following reasons.
Cable ties can ensure compliance
In certain sectors such as the electrical industry, there are strict guidelines and regulations in place which govern safety for all involved. The Wiring Regulations set regulatory standards and by using phase marking cable ties, electricians can be confident they will be compliant. See The role of cable ties in electrical wiring and safety for more information.
The correct cable tie helps with safety regulations
Safety is paramount in many industries and using the correct cable tie can help. For example, with the disposal of hazardous materials such as clinical waste, traceability is required back to the source of the waste. Using printed clinical waste bag cable ties enables best practice.
The right cable tie needs to be strong enough for the task
If you are relying on your cable ties to bear a heavy load, for example when securing pipework or components for transit, you must ensure the cable tie is strong enough not to break. The strength of a cable tie is referred to as tensile strength and is measured in kilograms. What are the strongest cable ties? has a handy table with the tensile strength of our most popular cable ties. Where the load exceeds the tensile strength of the cable tie, multiple cable ties can be used with the correct combined tensile strength.
Considerations when choosing cable ties
When choosing the right cable tie for your project, you should also consider the following:
Material - the material of the cable tie should be suitable for the environment in which it will be used. For example, if the cable tie will be exposed to sunlight or high heat, UV and heat stabilised cable ties are the perfect solution.
Maximum diameter - the maximum diameter of the cable tie should be suitable for the largest diameter of the bundle you want to tie. Cable ties can be joined together to accommodate larger bundles, although our nylon 6/6 cable ties are available in lengths up to 1530mm.
Cable tie design – the locking mechanism of nylon cable ties varies from that of a stainless steel cable tie. Nylon ties have a ratchet locking system but metal cable ties from cableties-online feature a unique locking roller ball system which ensures a perfect fit with less risk of over-tightening.
Environment and working temperature range – will the cable tie be subject to extreme weather conditions or hazardous environments such as exposure to chemicals or acid? Do they need low flammability or efficient thermal properties? Our Complete Guide to Cable Ties gives the features of common cable ties.
Cable ties from cableties-online
We supply high quality nylon cable ties, including UV resistance on our black nylon ties that ensures a much higher resistance and longevity. For cable ties for use in more demanding environments, we have ties designed to be used in locations where resistance to heat, weather or chemical exposure are required, including metal cable ties as well as epoxy resin coated metal ties and polyester coated metal ties. However, if you need further help to choose the correct cable tie for your project, our experienced sales team is on hand to help. Simply email us at sales@cableties-online.co.uk or call us on 01623 412160.
