Many are familiar with cable ties (clamps) as a reliable, convenient and quick means of fastening something to something. Indeed, they are so versatile that they have earned their rightful place in the standard set of emergency technical assistance of any home master. But their main purpose, as the name suggests, is the laying and installation of electrical communications: arranging several wires into a single bundle, attaching the cable to the supporting parts of the structure, and, finally, marking the electrical leads.
A little bit of history
The cable tie, patented by the American firm Thomas & Betts, was developed in 1958 for the aviation industry. In the first samples, a steel pawl was used as a latch, which made the process of producing screeds inefficient, in addition, the metal latch often broke and was lost, and getting into the electrical circuit was simply dangerous due to the possibility of a short circuit. Therefore, in 1968, they began to produce a one-piece self-locking cable tie made of polyamide (nylon), outwardly very similar to the tie we are used to.
Main types of cable ties
With seeming simplicity and externalsimilarities, cable ties, depending on the tasks performed, differ in the type of fixation (fixed or detachable), the material used, geometric dimensions and color. If we talk about fundamental differences, then we can distinguish three main types of clamps: polyamide, steel and Velcro ties based on Velcro tape.
What makes the tie-down strap so popular
Due to the low cost and ease of installation, the undisputed favorite in terms of frequency of use is "His Majesty" nylon cable clamp. Let's get to know him better. Among the wide range of polyamides used in the manufacture of screeds, the most common is nylon 6.6 - a strong, flexible, wear-resistant, chemically and heat-resistant material that surpasses many metals in its properties, and due to its excellent dielectric properties and low weight, it completely makes iron counterparts turn green from envy. But that's not all. If increased resistance of fasteners to abrasion, cracking at high stresses, exposure to chemicals and water is required, then a modification of polyamides is used - nylon 12.
The lock device is almost identical for all ties of this type and is a loop-shaped head with a locking pawl sliding along the ledges located on one side of the tie along its entire length and having the shape of saw teeth.
During installation, the shank of the clamp is pulled into the hole in the head, the relief profile engages with the latch, providing progressivetightening and blocking, thanks to its configuration, the possibility of reverse.
Types of nylon ties
So, we present to your attention a standard cable clamp that has already become a classic. This type of tie is a one-piece, self-locking fastener that is not subject to corrosion and is designed to secure cables and wires in electrical equipment. Clamps of this type are considered disposable, are available in lengths from 14 to 360 mm, come in different colors and, depending on the width, have a tensile strength of 8 to 144 kg.
Releasable cable ties are gaining more and more popularity. As the name implies, they can be used more than once and are ideal for complex installations where a large number of wires must be added in series in a bundle. They are also good as temporary, work-in-progress solutions, and have recently been increasingly used in horticulture. The latch is a lever or button, making the ties easy to install and dismantle manually or with pliers.
Off-head cable tie is a more specialized tie-down tie that has a mounting hole. Thanks to this, the tie can be fixed with a screw, which allows it to be fixed to the car chassis, floor beams or wall, withstanding loads from 20 to 60 kg.
Push-in cable ties have a built-ina fastening device that allows you to connect wires to a panel or, say, a car chassis without additional fixation. The arrow-shaped mounting part slides easily into the pre-drilled hole and snaps into place. This type of clamp is usually a detachable connection.
Self-adhesive cable ties allow you to quickly and easily attach wires to smooth surfaces without damaging them. Ideal for mounting light illumination on windows and glass shop windows.
Another interesting option is the double head cable ties that allow you to install a second cable path without the need for additional connections or, for example, be used when packing, when the first loop closes the bag, while the second can serve as a carrying handle.
Stainless steel cable tie
Yet nylon isn't all-powerful. For extreme conditions, a stainless steel cable tie is used, made of high quality metal with a tensile strength of up to 200 kg or more. This type of fastener is characterized by high strength, heat resistance and anti-corrosion coating, which is a good option for harsh environments. Fixation is carried out by pulling the free end of the tie through its self-locking mechanism.
Velcro cable tie
Velcro cable ties, also called burdock or Velcro ties, are made of soft material with hooks on one side and hooks on the other. This type of collar allows you to adjust the compression force, and can be reused many times (up to 10,000 times), is characterized by high reliability and aesthetics, and is practically unlimited in length and color.
As you can see, the evolution of the once modest cable tie continues. This product belongs to things that we often do not notice, but we can no longer imagine our comfortable existence without them, and the application of this invention is worthy of a separate article.
