Cable ties secure wires and cables in place, used in construction, automotive, and industrial applications. Different types of clamps are available, including strain relief and U-clamps, with various features such as adhesive backing and adjustable gripping force.
A cable tie is used to secure a wire, or cable, in place. These clamps are commonly used when holding, bundling or transporting cables, wires and other similar items. Cable clamps are used on all types of wire and harness, ranging from very small diameter consumer electronics and telephone wires, to large diameter and heavy electrical cables, wire ropes and cables.
Cable clamps are used in home construction, the automotive industry, consumer product manufacturing, rigging, and many industrial applications. A wide variety of clamp types and sizes are available. You can purchase a strain relief made of steel, stainless steel, and many strong plastics. Using a strain relief eliminates the need for tape, cable ties and hook-and-loop products such as VELCRO®, which are not permanent and can have various defects, such as sticky residue left by the tape.
A common type of strain relief used in general purpose applications consists of a split circular opening that allows the user to spread the clamp around a wire or cable and an extension flange with holes for a nail or screw to secure the clamp to a surface. This type of clamp comes in steel, stainless steel, and plastic and usually has a padded sleeve to protect the wire. The plastic clamp is the cheapest, but has limited holding force. For heavy-duty applications that require extra holding power and durability, a metal strain relief should be used.
Another common type of cable gland is known as a U-clamp. These are also called cable clamps and are used for rigging applications, rather than securing electrical wiring. The clamp consists of a U-shaped bolt with threaded ends, a lock plate with two holes for the U-bolt to pass through, and two nuts. To use this clamp, normally two ropes are placed inside the U-shaped bolt, the fixing plate is installed, and both nuts are tightened to secure the ropes together and prevent slippage. In applications where a high voltage or force is applied to the cable, multiple clamps are typically used to provide additional protection against slippage.
Cable clamps come with many different features, such as adhesive backing for mounting the clamps to a surface, an assortment of colors, and even custom labeling. A reusable strain relief is available, usually designed with quick-release features for easy manual engagement and release. Some clamp designs allow you to increase or decrease the gripping force so the clamp doesn’t kink and cause damage to sensitive cables and wires, such as fiber optic lines.
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