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A guide to cable ties
What are cable ties and what are they used for?
They’re fasteners that bundle your cables and wires together to keep them organised and prevent damage. They come in different sizes, lengths, materials and even colours. The different uses of Cable Ties vary across industries, but what they all have in common is that they’re the most effective way to manage your cables.
First, let’s get a picture of the type of cable ties available. The table below is by no means exhaustive, as there are subsets of cable ties within this table. For example, standard cable ties can be weather resistant, which gives them different applications than their cousins’.
Standard cable ties are a fantastic all-rounder, but when you need specialised cable ties, you can get those too.
Nylon
The most common material for cable ties, nylon is a tough material with good thermal, and abrasion resistance. It also resists fuels and most chemicals. Nylon 6/6, the grade most often used for cable ties, meets UL 94 V-2 flammability ratings and has a working temperature range from -40°C to 85°C.
Nylon Cable Ties can be heat stabilised for continuous or extended exposure to high temperatures of up to 121°C. The cable tie manufacturing process can also produce UV stabilised ties for outdoor use. For example, you can have the same cable tie, but manufactured for different applications.
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel Cable Ties provide high tensile strength. They can also stand extremely high temperatures, from –200°C to 538°C. There are two types of stainless steel used in cable ties: 304 and 316. Type 304 is used for general purposes, with both indoor and outdoor applications. When corrosion is a threat, it’s Type 316 you need.
Cable Glands - What Are They?
A Cable Gland (more often known in the U.S. as a cord grip, cable strain relief, cable connector or cable fitting) is a device designed to attach and secure the end of an electrical cable to the equipment. Cable Glands address an essential requirement in cable management planning and implementation. Their foremost purpose is to grip and seal electrical cables where they pass through a dividing barrier, such as upon entry to a piece of equipment or where they pass through a bulkhead or panel. This is achieved by gripping either the outer sheath of the cable or the armour wire, or by a combination of the two. Cable glands are available in countless designs and features but these can be distilled down to four essential functions.
How Do Cable Glands Work
Nylon Cable Glands consist of multiple threaded parts which fit together to grip the cable and secure the gland assembly and cable to a piece of equipment or panel. The number of parts varies depending on the application and the required level of protection.
There are several variations on this theme but nearly all cable glands work along this fundamental principal of a threaded entry assembly that connects to the equipment and additional threaded nuts which secure the cable to the assembly. These may provide additional seals on both the inner and outer sheath, allow for connection to braided cables, special EMC connections or increased safety for hazardous areas.
Electrical Flexible Conduit and Conduit Fittings in external appearance resembles its close relative, liquid-tight flexible nonmetallic conduit. Both have smooth grey outer jackets that are liquid tight. Type Liquid Tight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit has an internal steel shield, which makes it more powerful and much less at risk to kinking. Either of these raceways can be created in mild curves to change instructions and also to stay clear of challenges. Additionally, the versatility works for ending at motors where there is likely to be heavy vibration.
Liquid-tight flexible metal conduit is allowed to be used in exposed or hidden locations where adaptability or protection from liquids, vapors or solids is required. It is permitted in specified unsafe (classified) places and also it may be used for direct interment where detailed and marked for the purpose.
Metal Flexible Conduit is not to be used were subject to physical damage.
There are some dimension limitations. Liquid-tight flexible metal conduit smaller sized than statistics designator 16 (trade dimension 1/2) is not to be utilized. However, an exemption permits metric designator 12 (trade size 3/8) for enclosing motor leads. The optimum dimension of Liquid-Tight Flexible Metal Conduit allowed is metric designator 103 (trade dimension 4).
The optimum number of bends is not to be a lot more that the equivalent of four quarter bends between pull factors. Subject to exemptions, liquid-tight adaptable steel conduit is to be safely secured in place within 12 in. of boxes, as well as protected at periods not over 4 1/2 ft.
If liquid-tight flexible metal conduit is used to minimize resonance to or supply flexibility for relocating tools, an equipment-grounding conductor must be provided. Or else, the internal metal sheath will certainly be adequate.
Liquid Tight Flexible Metal Conduit is a long lasting alternative wiring approach. Where suitable, it contributes to an attractive appearance in commercial and also commercial job and also operates well in domestic settings for powering water pumps and also fixed devices where there is ambient wetness in addition to resonance.
Electrical Connector is a device that joins electric conductors mechanically and electrically to other conductors and to the terminals of apparatus and equipment. The term covers a wide range of devices designed, for example, to connect small conductors employed in communication circuits, or at the other extreme, large cables and bus-bars.
Electrical connectors are applied to conductors in a variety of ways. Soldered connectors have a tube or hole of approximately the same diameter as the conductor. The conductor and connector are heated, the conductor inserted, and solder flowed into the joint until it is filled. Solderless connectors are applied by clamping the conductor or conductors in a bolted assembly or by staking or crimping under great mechanical force.
Typical connector types are in-line splice couplers, T-tap connectors, terminal lugs, and stud connectors. Couplers join conductors end to end. T-tap connectors join a through conductor to another conductor at right angles to it (illus. a). Terminal lugs join the conductor to a drilled tongue for bolting to the terminals of equipment (illus. b). Stud connectors join the conductor to equipment studs; the stud clamp is threaded or smooth to match the stud.
A Hose Clamp is designed to secure a hose over a fitting, by clamping the hose down, it prevents the fluid in the hose leaking at the connection. Popular attachments include anything from car engines to bathroom fittings. However, hose clamps can be used in a variety of different industries in order to secure the transportation of products, liquids, gases and chemicals.
There are four overarching categories of hose clamp; screw/band, spring, wire and ear. Each different hose clamp is used depending on the type of hose in question and the attachment at the end.
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