FASTENERS 101™
Zip Ties

Cable Ties 101

While Zip Ties were initially made for bundling electrical cables together, today they have many uses. As these electrical ties have become more popular in other applications, different versions of cable ties were developed to match the tasks at hand. Since the beginning of the original standard type, there are now many varieties. To learn about the different kinds and determine which type you need, consult the information below.

How Much Weight Can Zip Ties Hold?

Cable Ties come in a wide range of widths and lengths. Their length is directly correlated to the maximum bundle diameter. A cable ties' width will determine how much tensile strength the cord is rated to hold. For instance, a standard nylon cable tie with a width of 0.10" has an 18 lb. test weight but a cable tie with a 0.196" width has a test weight of 50 lbs.

Types of Zip Ties

	Standard Nylon Ties Plastic ties used to hold wires together. Especially popular due to their quick use and cheap cost. Commonly used in many applications. Very popular as the "set it and forget it" tie.
	Colored Tear Away Zip Ties Colored zip cords are standard ties that come in multiple colors. They are commonly used to differentiate different bundles of wires from each other. While you can find color zip ties in many varieties, one of the more popular kind are the tear away zip ties. Tear away zip ties are used when the intention of the zip tie is to be short lived. They are often used on totes or other packages for easy removal but to ensure being closed until arrival.
	Stainless Steel Cable Ties Stainless Steel Cable Ties are excellent for replacing standard cable ties when there is exposure to harsh chemicals or weather conditions. They work well in many different environments thanks to their corrosion resistant properties. They are used in a vast amount of applications but one place they are commonly seen is in the automotive industry. Often attached to tubing or exhausts in cars, stainless steel zip ties are considered high temperature zip ties. Stainless steel cable ties also have a dramatically stronger test strength than heavy duty nylon cable ties due to their material.
	Mounting Hole Cable Ties Mounting Hole Cable Ties are great in situations where the bundle of wires needs to be held to the wall or ceiling. Their head has a round opening made for a screw to be driven through into the wall. The screw is enough to hold the zip tie with cables up and when used properly can create a very neat bundling set-up.
	Identification Cable Ties These ties have built in tags designed to be written on for easy identification. Often wiring bundles can be mistaken for other systems due to not being able to see the ends of a wire bundle. They also save a step for the worker who also tags his wiring.
	Releasable Cable Ties Zip ties with some form of lever to press and release the tooth from the grooves holding the tie in place. Technically standard zip ties can have the same functionality but require a very small screwdriver to move the tooth and slide loose. Releasable ties are popular for wiring in situations where cord length needs frequent adjustments.
	Beaded Zip Ties Beaded zip cord have beads along the length of the tie. They are used for their ease of installation and reuse. Having beads along the length means that size adjustments are simple simply remove it from the locked position and pull or push more beads through the hole.
	Push Mount Cable Ties These ties commonly have little wings on the top and are designed to be pushed into a hole after wrapped around a bundle. As the weight attempts to pull them back out of the holes the wings expand, and the push mount ties lock themselves in place.