CABAC Guide: How to Select the Right Cable Tie

Posted in: Products, Articles

CABAC Guide: How to Select the Right Cable Tie

While most cable ties look similar, the design and quality of materials can vary between brands. With so many options, how can you know that the cable tie you pick will be suitable for your application? We’ve put together some tips that will help you avoid many of the common mistakes people make when selecting a cable tie.

First, you need to understand what the fastening requirements are for your application, and what challenges the cable tie will need to stand up to throughout the life of the installation. Possible considerations when selecting a cable tie include:

Material

Cable ties are typically available in a one-piece or two-piece construction – this refers to how they are manufactured, either in one extrusion or from two materials joined together.

Common cable tie materials include:

Nylon
Fluoropolymer
Polypropylene
Stainless Steel

Some cable ties will also have additives that give them enhanced performance or special properties, such as:

UV stabilisers
Metal additives for detection

Bundle Diameter

Every cable tie will have a maximum bundle diameter that it can accommodate, based on the length of the tie. Make sure you check this specification to ensure that the length you choose is suitable for the items you need to bundle or secure.

Tensile Strength

The tensile strength of a cable tie is one of the most important specifications to check before selecting a cable tie. Tensile strength indicates how much weight a single cable tie can hold before it will break. By knowing the weight of what you need to secure and the tensile strength capability of the cable tie, you can estimate the quantity of cable ties required for the job. Ensure that you have the right type, quantity and spacing of cable ties, so that you aren’t exceeding the maximum tensile strength of the cable tie at any point.

Investing in a heavy-duty cable tie can mean less cable ties are required to secure the bundle, resulting in overall cost and labour savings. For high-strength applications, we recommend heavy duty cable ties, ultra heavy duty cable ties, or our NEW double lock range.

Environment

Are there any environmental concerns that could be a threat to the installation? Not all cable ties are suitable for extreme temperatures and may be vulnerable to chemicals or UV radiation. For example, our black nylon cable ties have a special additive which makes them suitable for outdoor use. Natural cable ties are only suitable for use indoors.

Purpose or Industry

Will the cable tie be used for a specific purpose or required to meet the requirements of a particular industry? Speciality ties are available for applications such as colour coding, medical applications, marine environments and more. Make sure you fully understand what is required for the installation – for instance, food and beverage locations may require a detectable cable tie.

Installation

How will you be installing the cable ties? If you have thousands of ties to install before the job is done, you’ll probably need a cable tie tensioner to avoid strain and cut down on labour. For high volume installations, try one of our reliable cable tie tensioning tools.

If you have a smaller job but need the results to be perfect, it might be worth investing in a self-cutting cable tie. This type of cable tie has a built-in blade that cuts the tail of the tie with a simple twist. You’ll be left with a safe, neat and secure finish without the need for a cutting tool.

Back to Articles