Cable ties (clamps) are familiar to many as a reliable, convenient and quick means of fastening something to something. Indeed, they are so universal 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 implies, is the laying and installation of electrical communications: arranging several wires in a single bundle, securing the cable to the bearing parts of the structure and, finally, marking the electrical leads.
A bit of history
The cable tie, patented by Thomas & Betts, an American company, was developed in 1958 for the aviation industry. In the first samples, a steel dog was used as a clamp, which made the screed production process inefficient, in addition, the metal clamp was often broken and lost, and getting into the electric circuit was simply dangerous due to the possibility of a short circuit. Therefore, in 1968, they began to produce a one-component self-locking cable clamp from polyamide (nylon), which looks very similar to the usual cable tie for us.
The main types of cable ties
With apparent simplicity and external similarity, cable clamps, depending on the tasks performed, differ in the type of fixation (fixed or detachable), the material used, the geometric dimensions and color. If we talk about the fundamental differences, we can distinguish three main types of clamps: polyamide, steel and Velcro-based Velcro ties.
What makes a mounting clamp so popular
Due to the low cost and ease of installation, an absolute favorite in terms of frequency of use is "His Majesty" nylon cable clamp. 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 makes the iron counterparts turn green from envy. But that is not all. If you need increased resistance of the fasteners to abrasion, cracking at high stresses, the effects of chemicals and water, then use a modification of polyamides - nylon 12.
The lock device is almost identical for all screeds of this type and is a loop-shaped head with a locking dog sliding along the protrusions located on one side of the screed along its entire length and having the shape of saw teeth.
During installation, the shank of the clamp extends into the hole in the head, the embossed profile engages with the retainer, providing translational tightening and blocking, thanks to its configuration, the possibility of a reverse stroke.
Types of Nylon Screeds
So, we present to your attention the standard cable clamp that has already become a classic. This type of coupler is a one-piece, self-locking fastener that is not susceptible to corrosion and is intended for fastening 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 tensile strengths from 8 to 144 kg.
Detachable cable ties are gaining more and more popularity. As the name implies, they can be used more than once and they are ideal for complex installation, when a large number of wires are required to be sequentially added to the bundle. They are also good as temporary solutions requiring refinement, and recently they are increasingly used in gardening. The latch is a lever or button, due to which the couplers are easily installed and dismantled manually or using pliers.
The cable tie with the remote head is a more specialized mounting clamp with a mounting hole. Due to this, the screed can be fixed with a screw, which allows it to be fixed on the car chassis, floor beams or wall, withstanding loads from 20 to 60 kg.
Cable clamps have a built-in mounting device that allows you to connect the wires to the panel or, say, the chassis of the car without additional fixation. The mounting part in the form of an arrow is easily inserted into the pre-drilled hole and fixed in place. This type of clamp, as a rule, is a detachable connection.
Self-adhesive cable ties allow you to quickly and easily attach wires to a smooth surface without damaging it. Ideal for mounting light illuminations on windows and glass shop windows.
Another interesting option is a double-headed 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 carry handle.
Stainless steel cable tie
Yet nylon is not omnipotent. For extreme conditions, a stainless steel cable tie is used, made of high-quality metal having 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 use in harsh conditions. Fixing is carried out by pulling the free end of the screed through its self-locking mechanism.
