Selecting the Correct Cable Ties for your Applications

What are Cable ties and how do they function?

Cable ties, as known as zip ties, hose ties, wire ties, or security straps, are a type of wire management material that is often used to secure and mount electrical wires and cables as well as hoses, and tubes. Invented in 1958, these useful tools gained rapid popularity and have now become ubiquitous with a wide range of industries and applications. You can easily find cable ties in everything from the automotive industry to retail usage and even in private home use.

What is tensile strength and why is it important?

Tensile strength is a measure of the pulling or stretching force required to break or deform a specific material. It is a key measure to evaluate a material’s durability and the maximum load the material can handle. Basically, tensile strength is a stress test that determines a materials breaking point. This is critical when dealing with cable ties as different ties are designed to handle different loads, and as such, have different tensile strength. Knowing what tensile strength is makes selecting the correct type of cable tie a much simpler task.

The image below shows how cable ties are broken into groups based not only on their size, by more importantly, by their tensile strength. There are four main categories for cable tie tensile strength. The “M” designation is for “mini” and refers to a cable tie with a tensile strength of 18 lbs. “I” is the designation for “Intermediate” and indicates that a cable tie can handle a load of up to 40 lbs. The “S” is for “standard” used to designate cable ties with a tensile strength of 50 lbs. Finally, there is “LH” which is used to indicate “heavy duty” and can handle loads up to 120 lbs. With a firm understanding of tensile strength, let’s take a look at the various types of cable ties and their functions.

What types of cable ties are available?

Pacer offers cable ties in range of styles and tensile strengths. The four main types of cable ties we offer are: standard cable ties, Barb-ty, cable ties with mounting rings, and stainless-steel cable ties. Let’s look at the differences between these types and where you might use them.

Standard -
These are the type most people think of when they hear the term cable tie. They range in tensile strength from “M” all the way to “LH” and range in length from 3.9” to 30.5”. This means there is a standard cable tie for most applications. They are most commonly a natural or white color but are also available in black. We discuss the difference between the colors further down.

Barb-Ty -
Barb-Ty cable ties are a step up from the standard variety. Rather than the standard nylon pawl, Barb-Ty contains a metal further securing the bundle and offering a higher degree of protection and reliability. They are available in lengths ranging from 4.0” to 30.7”. Just like standard ties, Barb-Ty is available with tensile strengths ranging from “M” to “LH”.

Mounting Ring -
This type of cable tie is notable for its circular opening on top of the head of the tie. This ring is designed to allow mounting of the tie using a screw ranging from size #4 to #10. Mounting ring cable ties are available in both standard and Barb-Ty varieties. Pacer offers this type of cable tie in lengths ranging from 4.3” to 15.1” and with tensile strengths ranging from “M” to “LH”.

Stainless Steel -
If you need the strongest cable ties available, then stainless steel is the way to go. Made from 316 stainless steel, these ties offer the highest level of durability and protection possible. Pacer offers this type of cable tie in lengths ranging from 5.0” to 20.5”. Stainless steel cable ties are so potent that they exceed the “LH” designation instead having tensile strength ranging from 200 to 450 lbs.

What benefits do cable ties offer?

Cable ties offer a range of benefits not available with other types of wire management materials. This includes things like ease of use, versatility in applications, long-term durability, audible and tactile lock confirmation, color-coding, and the list goes on. The point is that cable ties are ubiquitous for a reason. They perform an essential duty easily and with almost no training. They handle tough environments and secure wire, and cable runs that would otherwise be difficult to work with.

What is the difference between Natural and Black cable ties?

Now that we’ve covered tensile strength, types of cable ties, and their uses, let’s review the differences between natural cable ties and black cable ties. The easiest distinction is that natural or white are for indoor use while black is for indoor or outdoor use, but it goes a bit further than that. Black cable ties are built from specialized materials that add ultraviolet resistance. This means that they can handle long-term direct sun exposure. Other ties cannot offer the same protection which is why manufacturers recommend only using UV resistant black cable ties for outdoor applications.

How do I choose the correct cable ties for my application?

The first thing to consider when selecting the correct cable tie for your application is what function will the tie perform. Are you securing wire or hoses? Are you mounting a wire run to the underside of a table? Are you using them to coil wire for storage or shipping? These questions help to determine which type to use.

For example if you are in fact mounting a run to the underside of a table, you would need to use mounting ring cable ties as they are the only one designed for mounting to other surfaces. Once you know the function the ties will perform and have selected a style, the next thing is to determine is the amount of tensile strength your ties will need to have.

If you are securing wire runs that weigh a lot, you would want to avoid using ties with a tensile strength rating of “m”. Otherwise, they will not be able to withstand the strain. Finally, with the type and tensile strength selected, you would need to decide on whether to use natural, or black. To recap, select the style based on the function, select the strength level required, then select the appropriate color. With these three steps, you should be able to accurately select the correct type of cable tie for your application.

Will I need specialized tools?

The truth is that most cable ties can be used without proper tools. Certain types, such as mounting rings and stainless-steel cable ties require specific tools to be installed properly. Just because you can install most cable ties without proper tools doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t use them. Think about this, as you pull a cable tie tight, what do you do with the tail? Sure you can cut it but now you’ve created a jagged edge that can damage surrounding materials especially in environments that deal with heavy vibration, such as on a marine vessel. Let’s look at three cable tie tools and where you should expect to use them.