If you want to use cable ties (also called cable tie fasteners) for organizing wires in your electrical systems or networks, it is beneficial to have adequate information about different types of cable ties such as stainless steel cable ties, nylon cable ties, releasable cable ties and plastic cable ties. Additionally, you must have other relevant information, such as cable tie fastening methods and cable tie tools you will need to fasten the cable ties.

If you want to be a cable fasteners supplier, you will need to have up-to-date information on the new products and technical standards in the industrial fasteners business.

You can acquire information about cable tie fasteners by:

1. Reading through basics about industrial cable fasteners and relevant products, such as a cable tie tool and its accessories
2. Searching magazines and journals that provide information about cable tie fasteners
3. Joining associations for cable manufacturing companies that also provide information about cable ties
4. Understanding technical standards related to industrial cable ties

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the basics of cable ties

If you want to use cable ties, it is beneficial to know the different types of cable ties and their appropriate applications. If you want to use a velcro cable tie or plastic cable tie, you must know its advantages and disadvantages.

I recommend: CableOrganizer.com, a knowledge database about cable and relevant products, can help you select the most appropriate cable ties for you application. Cable Ties Express, an online retailer for cable accessories and wiring products, offers information about various cable ties, such as stainless steel cable ties and releasable cable ties. You can also read through information about different cable ties at BuyHeatShrink.com, another supplier of cable ties and cable tie tools.

Join associations that provide information on cable ties

You can join associations for companies that manufacture cables and relevant products, such as cable fasteners. You can also search websites that provide information about cable ties suppliers and new products.

I recommend: Cable tie manufacturing members of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) provide information about developments about relevant technical standards. The Wire Association International, Inc. is an association for the wire and cable industry professionals. You can also join International Association of Electrical Inspectors (IAEI) that hosts an online forum and publishes an online magazine about various electrical products including cable ties.

Keep up-to-date on information about standards for cable ties

Understanding technical standards is very important aspect of the cable tie fasteners business. You can buy relevant technical standards from the organizations that establish or publish these standards.

I recommend: At Underwriters Laboratories, you can understand the scope of standards related to cable positioning devices, including cable ties. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is another global organization that publishes technical standards for various products, including cable ties.

Although cable ties first got their start as a method of organizing wires in electrical applications, their uses today are many. Cable ties now come in an assortment of sizes, styles and colors for a diverse range of applications. They can be made of plastic, nylon, stainless steel and even Velcro. They can be tiny and they can be huge. They can be tightened with a cable tie tool and some are now even releasable.

Here are some things to consider before purchasing a supply of industrial cable tie fasteners:

1. What you will use the cable fasteners for

2. Whether the cable ties will need to hold weight, be mounted or be releasable

3. The conditions your cable ties will need to withstand

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Determine how you will use the cable ties

Are you going for a traditional use such as holding wires together, or does your need call for a special type of cable tie? No matter your need, there's a cable tie fastener out there to fill it.

I recommend: BuyHeatShrink.com, with everything from traditional nylon cable ties to a large selection of specialty ties and tools, is a great place to explore your cable tie options. If your need is for computer and networking-related applications, CDW has just what you're looking for.

Consider whether your industrial cable ties will need to serve double duty

Some factors to consider are whether your cable tie fasteners will need to be releasable or reusable, whether they'll be mounted, whether they'll need ID tags and whether they'll be used to hold weight.

I recommend: CableOrganizer.com has a nice selection of releasable cable ties. Find your screw-mount cable ties at Central Cable Ties. Need to ID your tags? Check out HappyTerminals.com. Head over to Cable Ties Express for any cable tie tool or accessory you need to get your cable tie job done right the first time.

Know the environment and conditions to which your cable ties will be exposed

Industrial cable tie applications often call for cable ties that can withstand extreme conditions or exposure to harsh chemicals. Knowing your environment is paramount to selecting the right cable ties.

I recommend: The stainless steel cable ties at Buy Cable Ties are great for use in harsh environments. Zip-Ty has an assortment of industrial cable ties made to be used in HVAC applications. Cable ties made for outdoor use are available at ULINE. And if your cable fasteners will be exposed to radiation, chemicals or other harsh conditions, be sure to check out the Tefzel cable ties at ACT Fastening Solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Even if you don't have a specific need right now, it's always a good idea to keep a supply of general-purpose cable ties on hand. You might be amazed at the uses you'll find for a plastic cable tie.
• •  Use colored cable ties for coding, identification, packaging continuity and bundling aesthetics.

A cable tie fastener (also called a cable tie) is one of the most important networking accessories. Cable ties are useful for bundling and grouping different types of cables, such as network cables, electronic cables and fiber optic cables.

For a selection of the most suitable cable tie fasteners for your applications, you must understand various technical terms related to cable tie fasteners. This guide will explain some key terms related to cable tie fasteners, such as Tefzel cable ties, Holar cable ties, releasable cable ties, UL 1565 and IEC standards.

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Tefzel cable ties

A Tefzel cable tie fastener is a special type of highly resistant cable tie. These cable ties are useful in applications that expose the cable assemblies and ties to chemicals, UV (ultraviolet) radiations and flames.

I recommend: To learn more about these ties, read through information at Hi-Line, Inc., a supplier of industrial products, such as fuses and cable ties.

Halar cable ties

A Halar cable tie is another high-resistance cable tie. However, these cables have applications in plenum spaces (the space between a dropped ceiling and the actual ceiling) in residential and commercial construction projects; a Halar cable tie produces low smoke density, in the case that it catches fire.

I recommend: For further information about these cable ties, read through the description at BuyHeatShrink.com, a supplier of electrical accessories.

Releasable cable ties

As the name indicates, a releasable cable tie fastener can be adjusted or removed without breaking or cutting. These cable ties are suitable for applications where the size of wire bundle can change after the cable ties are fastened.

I recommend: Cable Ties Express, an online retailer for cable accessories and wiring products, offers detailed information about releasable cable ties.

Hook and Loop cable ties

These cable tie fasteners are soft material ties that are adjustable and reusable. These cable ties are useful for bundling soft cables such as fiber optic cables and CAT-5 cables.

I recommend: For more information about hook and loop cable ties, read through information at Panduit Corp. (PDF). Rip 'n' Grip Hook & Loop Fasteners also provides basic information about these ties.

Cable tie mounts

A cable tie mount is one of the most widely used accessories for cable tie fasteners. Cable tie mounts help to fix the cable tie fasteners or cables to another surface.

I recommend: Wiringproducts, Ltd., a distributor of electrical supplies, offers information about cable tie mounts and some common models of tie mounts.

UL 1565

The UL 1565 standard by Underwriters Laboratories assures safe and efficient functioning of positioning devices, including cable ties and cable clamps.

I recommend: To learn more about this standard, read through its scope at Underwriters Laboratories, a standardization organization.

IEC standards

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a global organization that publishes technical standards for various products.

I recommend: You can read through the descriptive document “Cable ties for electrical installation” at IEC (PDF).

CSA standards

Some suppliers of cable ties mention that their products are compliant with the CSA standards. The Canadian Standards Association develops and publishes this standard for positioning devices.

I recommend: To understand the relevance of this standard to cable tie fasteners, read through its scope at the Canadian Standards Association.

Whether you are a small business owner, a construction company, or a cable company, finding the right cable tie tool to bundle cable wires together is essential. The price of cable ties are not astronomical, so it is important to find the right cable tie for your business needs at the right price.

Simple nylon cable ties are most economical, and velcro cable ties are the easiest to use. However, if you are bundling wires outdoors or in extreme temperatures, you need to upgrade to an industrial strength cable tie. Whatever your cable tie needs, finding and comparing cable tie fasteners pricing and costs should be your first step. Consider the following when in the market for cable ties:

1. Use releasable cable ties to easily add or remove wires from cable wire bundles.

2. Find industrial stainless steel cable wires for outdoor or extreme environment cable tie fastening situations.

3. Get velcro cable ties for small cable bundling jobs, like home offices and small businesses.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get pricing on releasable cable ties

Releasable cable ties are cable fasteners used to gather cable wires together. They are convenient for situations where wires are removed or added frequently, because they have an easy push-button that does not require the cable tie to be cut when adjustment is needed.

I recommend: Uline Shipping Supplies has a variety of releasable nylon cable ties in different lengths, widths and strengths. Prices vary based on the tie and size of the box, but you can pay as little as $14 for a box of 100 ties or as much as $46 for a box of 1,000. A box of 100 cable ties from Central Cable Ties ranges from between $4 and $7 depending on the length of the tie.

Get the low down on stainless steel cable ties

While nylon cable ties are good for many environments, stainless steel cable ties are best suited for extreme weather and temperature environments. These industrial cable fasteners also stand up to chemicals better than nylon ties and can be used in indoor, outdoor and underground environments.

I recommend: Cable Ties and More have a large selection of industrial cable ties, including industrial stainless steel cable ties, ranging in price from $36 for a box of 100 to over $70 for a box of 100, depending on the length and width of the tie. CableOrganizer.com has a large selection of stainless steel cable tie fasteners starting at $50 for a box of 100 and going upwards of $145 for a box of 100, depending on the size of the cable tie.

Determine the cost of a Velcro cable tie

Velcro brand cable ties are an easy way to bundle cable wires together. You can simply pull the end of the cable tie through the hole on the other end, pull the tie tightly around the cable wires and fasten. They are convenient for small office and home use.

I recommend: Textol Systems has several different types of Velcro ties, including cable management ties that will run you about $14 for a pack of 45 8-inch ties, and around $15 for a pack of 30 12-inch ties. At Buy Cable Ties, you can purchase a 10 count bag of Velcro brand cable ties for about $6.