Cable ties are an invaluable asset for everything from bundling to securing packages. Yet, their versatility extends far beyond professional applications. With summer fast approaching, Cable Ties Plus would like to highlight eight warm weather projects made easy with the right cable tie!
- If you ever transport a bicycle on the back or hood of your car, use cable ties to secure the wheels so they aren’t constantly spinning. In fact, use cable ties to secure any items strapped to your car.
- If your gates don’t have locks, use cable ties when you want to make sure kids and pets don’t wander out, especially during a barbecue or children’s party. Your best bet here are detachable or reusable cable ties.
- In anticipation of your excursions on the water, use a cable tie to organize tubes, wakeboards, kneeboards, water skis, etc., especially when putting them away for the winter months. This way when you’re ready, everything’s in one place.
- Before you get going on mowing that lawn, lock the safety handle with a cable tie. Now you don’t have to hold the clutch the entire time!
- Having problems with wilting or leaning plants in the garden? Use lightweight, low tensile strength ties to stand them upright by attaching them to stronger plants, steel cages or other sturdy objects.
- If you’re agonizing over a broken metal ring on the basketball net, replace it with a cable tie.
- Take an ample supply of cable ties with you on your outdoor adventures. At the very least, use them to close off your pants at the ankles, ensuring nothing crawls up your leg. In the worst circumstances, they make excellent instruments should you need to apply a splint.
- Use cable ties to solidify your tent and avoid having it (embarrassingly) fall in on you as you brag about what a great outdoorsperson you are.
How about you? Do you have any unique uses for cable ties that would be helpful during the spring and summer? Share them with our readers and broaden everyone’s appreciation of these affordable and flexible products.
How to Apply Heat Shrink Tubing
Heat shrink tubing is a safe and affordable solution for protecting your electrical systems. But only if you know what you’re doing.
Getting Started
This is the easy part. Cable Ties Plus carries a range of products that meet criteria for any industrial, commercial or residential project. If you’re not sure where to start, give us a call and let an experienced tech help, or use the live chat feature available on the website.
Next, you will need a quality heat gun. Choose carefully. Not all devices fit all purposes. An electrician may require a calibration feature that a lobster fisherman wouldn’t. Again, feel free to contact us here at Cable Ties Plus for assistance.
You also need a pair of scissors.
Prepare
Depending on the severity of your project, consider eye protection, gloves, and a breathing device to avoid inhaling fumes. Also, we recommend not wearing loose or baggy clothes. Watch for hanging items such as chains, bracelets and hair.
Make sure the work area is free of clutter. Even what appears to be harmless debris can become a hazard. Pick up, dust or sweep before starting. If working indoors, ensure the space is well ventilated, even if wearing a mask. Of course, all this may not be possible if you’re dealing with systems inside walls or floors. But it is still critical that you remain mindful of the risks.
Lastly, never point the heat gun at yourself or anyone else. This may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many EMTs have rushed to an accident where even a seasoned pro hadn’t imagined what could happen.
The Process
The tubing’s shrink ratio has to result in a tight fit. As these products come in a range of diameters, select one large enough to fit comfortably over the area that still promises to snugly cover the area after shrinkage.
Cut the desired length of tubing, keeping in mind it shrinks lengthwise. Measure carefully, allowing for at least a ¼” overlap if you’re including connectors or insulation. Slide the tubing in place. If you’re splicing cables or wires, center the tubing between the splice, ensuring equal overlap on both sides. Some professionals use a little lubricant spray to help guide tubing easily.
Before applying heat, know the manufacturer’s recommended heating temperature. Too much or too little heat defeats the purpose, causing uneven shrinkage, insulation failure, or even physical damage. DO NOT use open flames.
Use the heat gun to shrink one end of the tubing and gradually work down to the other. Apply heat steadily, rotating the object, making sure shrinking is even and there are no air bubbles. You don’t want brittle or charred tubing. The best way to sidestep this is to avoid lingering on any one area too long.
And that’s it. It may seem like a lot of work, but it’s a quick and easy process once you know what you’re doing.
Using Beaded Loop Fasteners
Cable ties and comparable tools are used in a vast array of situations, offering great performance in many industries; agriculture, medical, and commerce, just to name a few. You’ll find professionals utilizing them in construction, engineering, automotive, and much more to complete projects quickly and affordably while creating safe systems that pass inspection.
Yet, there are times when you don’t need the kind of heavy duty solution these products often provide. Why waste money on a device that can manage hundreds of pounds or protects cable and wire bundles from acids and flame, when you have a smaller, less intensive project to tackle? Well, with beaded loop fasteners in your arsenal you’ll always be prepared.
Beaded loop fasteners are a great alternative to higher performance cable ties. They are small and light weight, cost effective, and can be applied quickly. They may have a reduced tensile strength (about 18 pounds) compared to other zip ties, but these devices aren’t designed to withstand heavy loads. However, don’t think for a moment a lower tensile rating makes this tool any less dependable. Though operating on a smaller scale, beaded loop fasteners will confidently secure your projects’ bundles or neatly organize items that you want to stay together. Beaded loop fasteners guarantee a reliable, tangle- free, and snug fit, along with a locking mechanism that keeps the device in place until you choose to remove it.
Beaded loop fasteners are perfect for the travel industry where they are used to secure luggage before loading. These devices are used in a number of industries to seal trucks, bags, and packages that are not to be opened before reaching their final destination. Retailers employ them to put price tags and bar codes on merchandise. Engineers and plumbers use these loop fasteners to quickly secure a system component until a more conventional solution can be implemented.
A beaded loop fastener is easy to use. No tagging gun or other device is required. Simply push the tail through the head and pull to the desired loop size. And easy as that, you now have a strong and safe installation that’s going to hold up as long as you need it to. It’s convenient, it’s fast, and it simplifies getting the job done.
Cable Ties Plus strongly suggests you keep beaded loop fasteners in your toolset. We know at some point, they will prove to be perfect for the task at hand!
With its pressure sensitivity and conductive properties, electric tape prevents everything from fires to electrocution.
Also called insulating tape and even sticky tape by the layman, electric tape is made of flexible plastics or vinyl (the more popular element). There is also a Class H version engineered from fiberglass cloth. Class H is a reinforced design for heavy duty applications. Professionals reach for it when they want to secure wiring systems in electric motors, generators, transformers, etc. These types of machines are broken down by levels in temperature and temperature rise, a system of standards established by the UL, NEMA and IEC. It’s an electrical insulation system that has been called a “thermal classification” and an “insulation class.”
Black might appear to be the most popular color choice when choosing electric tape. It’s certainly the go-to for trained electricians who reach for it in various applications. They use it not only to bundle, secure and protect their systems, but in making quick repairs to cables and wires. However, colored electric tape is also used, especially by professionals to label a wire’s phase and voltage level. The phase, or polyphase, system recognizes the distribution of alternating current electrical power. For easier management of wiring, the electrician will use colored electric tape near the terminator to indicate the wire’s distinction. There is a UL-standard for labelling wiring with colored tape that breaks down voltage levels and phases.
One thing that should be noted is the misconceived, if popular, use of electric tape to repair cord jackets. While it makes for an effective temporary fix, many, including a reputed authority like OHSA, frown upon the practice. Despite its superior insulation, electric tape cannot match the regulated strength that goes into the engineering of a jacket cord’s outer layer. The original covering of a jacket cord has abrasive resistant properties that cannot be matched by electric tape. When your cord jacket has fallen below its standard, the best move is to throw that device out and replace it as soon as possible.
With its weather resistance, pressure sensitivity, and easy application and removal, electric tape is both an exemplary indoor and outdoor solution. Besides keeping wires and cables together, it’s also excellent for bundling and holding items in place. It has been used to secure wires running across floors to avoid slip and falls, as well as for packaging.
Whatever you use electric tape for, you want to make sure you use a professional grade, quality product that will provide exceptional performance in many applications. Consider our PVC grade that won’t disappoint. When you order professional supplies through CableTiesPlus, the last thing you’ll have to worry about is quality.
Types of Heat Shrink Tubing
Heat shrink tubing is an invaluable investment. From its insulating properties to its long lasting performance and versatility, it’s one of the most efficient options for safeguarding your systems. It has the capacity to minimize energy loss, protect and repair wiring, and reduce the risk of damage from undesirable elements.
Of course, when looking for heat shrink tubing, you need to consider which product is best suited for your project. Using the wrong tubing can reduce the effectiveness of a particular application, or worse, create a hazardous situation. Before choosing, you need to consider what type of environment you’re working with and its associated risks, the scope of the project, and finally, which type of heat shrink tubing will best fit the bill. Once you’ve done your due diligence, we’re sure you’ll find something perfect. In fact, it might easily be one of these popular tubing types.
Neoprene®
Neoprene® heat shrink tubing is engineered with modified chlorinated polyolefin. It is perfect for mechanics and other motorized processes. It remains popular in the aerospace industry and the military, often used for harnessing cable and wire bundles. You can expect excellent resistance to air and ground vehicle components such as lubricating and hydraulic fluids, which is why many professionals utilize this tubing for engine work.
Viton
Viton tubing is designed from a flexible fluoroelastomer component. It affords heavy resistance to chemicals and can hold up under high temps in different applications. As it is manufactured to meet military specifications, Viton® heat shrink tubing is recommended when military and commercial electronic control systems are in place. The ability to protect against harsh chemicals also lends this tubing to use in industrial plants and laboratories.
Kynar®
Heat shrinkable Kynar® tubing is constructed with modified polyvinylidene fluoride and provides you a great solution for systems under a high irradiation level. It holds up well under high temperatures and also has great mechanical and dielectric strength. From properties that make it flame retardant to a flexibility that makes it ideal for small spaces, Kynar heat shrink tubing is the solution professionals reach for when it comes to fuse coverings, capacitor protection, and even component jacketing.
Getting your projects completed in a cost effective and expeditious manner without sacrificing superior craftsmanship is easy with products from CableTiePlus. Whether you’re harnessing, bundling, or packaging, you will find all the tools and accessories you need to get the job done right.
Color Coding With Heat Shrink Tubing
For easy identification of systems and components involved in your wiring and cabling installations, we encourage everyone to take advantage of color coding with heat shrink tubing. This solution is a viable alternative that protects connections, joints, terminals, conductors and stranded wires and cables. They organize your systems, create sealants and prevent potential abrasions that can disrupt operations or create hazards.
Color coding with heat shrink tubing simplifies installation, maintenance and repair. With color coding, you can differentiate between wire connectors. You can harness multiple wires and cables or create network patch cords that can serve as labels. You not only improve the look of cables in your custom cars and motorcycles and computer-case mods, you also simplify the task of finding components when necessary.
And don’t forget that utilizing heat shrink tubing provides your systems with the ultimate barrier of protection. You seal out water, dust, corrosives and other unwanted elements. They insulate cables and wires against extreme heat and smoke. You can even minimize the need for braided sleeving. The advantages of heat shrink tubing along with the conveniences of using it to color code your systems far outweigh the expense.
Heat shrink tubing is going to be your best bet for imprinting; color coding and industry standards for gauge sizing are all part of the package. Sound and affordable options include flexible polyolefin, adhesive lined, and even fluoroelastomer heat shrink tubing. These products have been meticulously engineered for a variety of situations and environments. Color coding provides an excellent way to quickly recognize components of wire splicing, terminal insulation and more.
The bottom line is, color coded heat shrink tubing ensures you will always have a reliable resource to easily manage wiring and cabling systems.
The Butt Splice Connector
When professionals need to make adjustments to wiring systems, butt splice connectors are the fastest and most cost effective means to perform the task. Butt splice connectors are the ideal tool for altering and splicing wiring systems with minimal effort.
Be it changes and repairs or lengthening wires, butt splice connectors can be used in your marine, automotive, commercial or industrial projects to ensure your work is effective, secure and safe. Forget all the splicing, twisting, taping, heating, etc. that might normally go into an operation like this. With butt splice connectors, it’s just a matter of stripping before placing the necessary wiring into each end of the connector and then crimping the connector. Simple as that, the work is done. You now have a functional and reliable electrical connection that we are confident will last a long time.
Choose from a range of butt splice connectors developed with both quality materials and a strict production policy that assures you can get tasks done in an efficient, safe and affordable fashion. There are non-insulated, PVC-insulated, and nylon options. This inventory is designed to work with any American wire gauge that falls between 22 and 10.
Non-insulated butt splice connectors should be applied with caution as they are not designed for all types of projects.
If you’re unsure which type of butt splice connector you need, you can contact an informed customer service representative at Cable Ties Plus. They’ll cover your queries and supply all the information you need to make an informed decision.
Benefits of Long Zip Ties
For your large items and bundles, Cable Ties Plus recommends long zip ties as part of your toolkit. We are talking about heavy duty, high tensile and durable solutions for unique bundling and management of systems. Professionals are utilizing them for securing solar panels. One customer used a 48” tie to make an emergency repair on their airboat’s belt. Whatever the situation, there are long zip ties for both industrial and home applications that perfectly fit the bill.
Long zip ties are tools designed for situations where smaller ties simply will not work. You may need a long tie to secure thicker cable bundles for the sake of organization. A gardener might require a longer cable tie for their lengthy hoses or other equipment. HVAC installers and repairers can use them for temporarily securing duct work. A trucker might put them in place to secure large, heavy loads.
When it comes to performance, all zip ties are not the same. The construction of each class of tie is unique; they are engineered for length, size and weight capacity, as wells as resistance to heat, corrosives and temperatures. They are also engineered to meet the demands of specific projects. It is often advised you buy cable ties a bit longer than required and with features that go slightly beyond your needs. For instance, it is better to have a tie that can hold up to 75 pounds rather than find you have 62 pounds to secure but only 50 pound capacity ties. Zip ties may also be trimmed, if you’re so inclined. This is a better solution than buying ties only to discover they are too short for a job.
If you are not familiar with zip ties, it might be a good idea to get a zip tie kit. They contain a range of ties in assorted sizes ready for any last minute job. These kits can serve as a great learning tool, giving a user the opportunity to discover the product’s flexibility.
Adhesive Heat Shrink Tubing is without doubt one of the most practical resources you could have in your toolkit for all your cable and wire bundling projects. It’s a resource that promises to deliver when need a flexible and functional way to protect your systems.
There are different varieties of adhesive shrink tubing that promise to insulate and provide environmental protection against items such as fungus, acids, moisture, and other unwanted elements. Each device is designed with unique features, including flexibility, that fit a range of situations. This is because adhesive shrink tubing offers an additional layer of protection; as it is heated to the adhesive melting point the adhesive flows in between spaces as the tubing shrinks to fit over components, effectively ensuring nothing gets in or out.
Ranging in sizes from 1/8” to 1”, the tubing has a shrink ratio of 2:1. When heated to the shrink temperature, it conforms to whatever it is covering. This means a solid solution for insulation, an exceptional preventative abrasion measure and a solution that will prevent slippage and undesired exposure in your systems, which could create hazards down the line.
Adhesive shrink tubing even has properties that allow for self-extinguishing in case of exposure to flame. In fact, when it comes to heat these products hold up exceptionally. With a broad temperature range, adhesive shrink tubing is perfect for indoor and outdoor use and for areas where heat and smoke may be a consideration.
So whether you are securing bundles and components in a marine engine or protecting equipment in a research lab from the likes of chemical solvents, you can be certain adhesive heat shrink tubing from Cable Ties Plus is an ideal option.
A Brief Look at Cable Tie Types
Cable Ties Plus wants to make sure you have the right cable tie to complete your bundling and securing jobs. Using a cable tie that is not appropriate for the environment can disrupt operations and worse, create a safety hazard. Also, having the right cable tie for the right job can save you money in both the short and long run, regardless if you are a manufacturing plant or a marine engine repair shop.
Here are some types of cable ties and a few words on their design and usage.
General Purpose
General purpose cable ties are suitable for applications that do not require unique features. Their variations are ready for a series of conditions that promise both systems and users will be safe.
Weather Resistant
Engineered for outdoor use, weather resistant cable ties have been used to secure solar paneling, as well as other outdoor cabling where Mother Nature has slowly eaten away at the ties, resulting in future damage and costly maintenance.
Releasable Cable Ties
When you know the wiring or cabling configuration is going to change, such as in a server or communications room, you want to use releasable zip ties. These cable ties release easily and may be used for hundreds if not thousands of releases.
Identification Cable Ties
Identification cable ties have many uses around the plant. Not only can they help you identify which cables or wires are which, but they can also help you identify pipes, valves, and server stands. You can write on or use stickers on the flags, depending on the type you purchase. These cable ties are permanent, so they are also safer because they must be cut in order to be removed.
Tefzel
Tefzel cable ties resist moisture, meet regulatory requirements, and act as a proponent against environmental hazards. They are the right tools for high risk arenas where lethal radiation and chemicals are a consideration.
Metal Detectable
Metal Detectable cable ties are one of the most important cable ties used in the food, beverage, and cosmetic industries when cable ties are used on the manufacturing floor. Should one of these cable ties fall into a product run, they can be detected by machines designed to ensure no metal has fallen into the run. This saves a companu money in that by being detectable by the safety machines, they can easily pull the offending material out of the run before it hits the shelves and customer’s homes.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel cable ties have a superior resistance to corrosion. Widely used in chemical and food processing, manufacturing and marine atmospheres, they promise superior strength against chemicals, acids and high temperatures.