How Do You Choose the Right Type of Cable Ties?
Well, these self-locking pieces of plastic strips are quite different from each other. Your needs are what will determine the type of cable ties you need.
These products are made to handle different functionalities hence they come in different sizes and materials. So, to choose a cable that’s ideal for your needs, here are some of the factors that you should consider:
The construction
The type of construction of the cable ties matter. Do you want a one- or a two-piece type of construction?
Well, one-piece cable ties feature ties with their own locking mechanisms. It’s simply a single unit that has been molded with one material.
On the other hand, two-piece cable ties are designed with special locking features. They offer the convenience of versatility in that you can adjust them to effectively fit other cable bundles. They are great options especially if you want to avoid over-tightening the cable.
It should be noted that 2-piece cables come with locking mechanisms that allow the cables to be incorporated into the heads of the next cables. That’s why they are costlier but they have a higher level of breakage resistance and provide a smooth profile.
Type of material
Cable ties are made with different types of materials. Each material usually brings in specific properties. For instance, nylon ties are currently the most common and they are generally ideal for use in environments with lower temperatures.
On the other hand, cables made with stainless-steel materials are more durable and are, therefore, ideal for use in harsher environments. This is because they are able to withstand corrosive elements such as chemicals. Additionally, they can also face heat without breaking.
The Length
Generally, cable ties come in lengths ranging between 4 to 52 inches. Even though most people buy ties with smaller ranges, the broad option ensures that you can pick something that suits your needs.
But you need to understand that cable ties are usually trimmed during the installation process. To be on the safe side, you can buy an inch or two longer. It’s challenging to find out during the last minutes of the installation process that the cables you bought are shorter than you need.
The Environment
Where do you want to install your cable ties? Is it outdoors or in a place that has continuous exposure to sunlight? Alternatively, do you want to place them in a harsh environment that includes chemicals and acids? Or it in an area with high levels of heat and smoke?
Well, these questions should be at the back of your mind when preparing to make purchases. The type of environment you intend to use the wires in will play a crucial in determining the type of cable you end up choosing.
For instance, nylon 6.6 is weather-resistant and with a maximum life expectancy of 9 years. Heat-stabilized nylon 6.6 is ideal for use in high-temperature areas and so on.
Other Special Features
Before you can finally place your order, it’s necessary to consider other special features that the cable might have. For instance, can it effectively meet your needs? Do you need some extra products to use the cables?
Understand that most cables are usually designed with ties that normally lock permanently. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t still get products with special features that allow them to be undone without the need of cutting off the actual cable. This means that you should buy releasable cable ties.
Additionally, you can consider other applications such as mounted cable ties that allow these products to be mounted on certain surfaces. This is because such cables usually gave holes for screwing or joining to other hardware.
There are also cables that are designed with rainbow colors for the formation of the color code. This makes them ideal for easier identification or to match the décor of your equipment and other features.
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