# Cable tie > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cable_tie > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cable_tie.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_tie > Source revision: 1347749955 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Ratcheting fastener for electrical cable}} {{Redirect|Cable Ties|the Australian band|Cable Ties (band)}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2023}} thumb|Assortment of cable ties A '''cable tie''' (also known as a '''hose tie''', '''panduit''',{{cite web|title=Cable Bundling Straps and Tools|url=https://www.panduit.com/en/products/wire-routing-management-protection/cable-wire-ties-mounts-straps/cable-wire-ties.html|publisher=[Panduit](/source/Panduit)}} '''tie wrap''', '''wire tie''', or '''zip tie''') is a type of [fastener](/source/fastener) for holding items together, primarily [electrical cable](/source/electrical_cable)s and wires. Because of their low cost, ease of use, and binding strength, cable ties are ubiquitous, finding use in a wide range of other applications. Cable ties were first manufactured by [Thomas & Betts](/source/Thomas_%26_Betts) under the brand name {{nowrap|'''Ty-Rap'''}}. The common cable tie, normally made of [nylon](/source/nylon), has a flexible tape section with teeth that engage with a [pawl](/source/pawl) in the head to form a ratchet so that as the free end of the tape section is pulled the cable tie tightens and does not come undone. When the mouthpiece is inserted through the grooves and pulled tight, it creates a secure, adjustable loop, which locks in place like a knot. Some ties include a tab that can be depressed to release the ratchet so that the tie can be loosened or removed, and possibly reused. Stainless steel versions, some coated with rugged plastic, have been developed for exterior applications and hazardous environments.{{cite web|title=Stainless steel cable ties|url=http://www.cablejoints.co.uk/upload/Stainless_Steel_Cable_Ties.pdf|publisher=[Thomas & Betts](/source/Thomas_%26_Betts)}} ==Design and use== thumb|The ratchet mechanism on the head of a cable tie right|thumb|Cable ties used to attach shade cloth to scaffolding at a construction site in Singapore The most common cable tie comprises a flexible [nylon](/source/nylon) tape with an integrated linear [ratchet](/source/Ratchet_(device)) gear rack, and on one end a [pawl](/source/Ratchet_(device)) within a small open case. Once the pointed tip of the cable tie has been pulled through the case and past the ratchet, it is prevented from being pulled back unless a large amount of force is applied; the resulting loop may only be pulled tighter. This allows several cables to be bound into a cable bundle and/or to form a cable tree. A cable tie tensioning device or tool may apply a cable tie with a specific tension. The tool may cut off the extra tail flush with the head in order to avoid a sharp edge which might otherwise cause injury. Light-duty tools are operated by squeezing the handle with the fingers, while heavy-duty versions can be powered by compressed air or a solenoid to prevent [repetitive strain injury](/source/repetitive_strain_injury). To increase resistance to [ultraviolet light](/source/ultraviolet_light) in outdoor applications, nylon containing a minimum of 2% [carbon black](/source/carbon_black) is used to protect the polymer chains and extend the cable tie's service life.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} Blue cable ties are supplied to the food industry and contain a metal additive so they can be detected by industrial metal detectors.{{cite web|last1=Dodds|first1=Chris on|title=Detectable Cable Ties for Food Industry|url=http://www.cablejoints.co.uk/blog/article/detectable-cable-ties-blog|publisher=cablejoints.co.uk|access-date=14 July 2017|date=15 November 2013}} Cable ties made of [ETFE](/source/ETFE) (Tefzel) are used in radiation-rich environments. Red cable ties made of [ECTFE](/source/ECTFE) (Halar) are used for [plenum cabling](/source/plenum_cabling). [Stainless steel](/source/Stainless_steel) cable ties are also available for flameproof applications—coated stainless ties are available to prevent [galvanic attack](/source/galvanic_attack) from dissimilar metals (e.g. [zinc](/source/zinc)-coated cable tray). [Plastic handcuffs](/source/Plastic_handcuffs) are based on the cable tie design and are used by law enforcement to restrain prisoners.{{cite web|last1=Meissner|first1=Craig|title=Ties That Bind|url=http://www.policemag.com/channel/patrol/articles/2002/12/ties-that-bind.aspx|publisher=Police Magazine|date=December 1, 2002}} Cable ties are also sometimes used to prevent [hubcap](/source/hubcap)s (also known as wheel trims) from falling off a moving vehicle, and some are sold specifically for this purpose.{{Cite web|last=Grecia|first=Leandre|date=March 21, 2020|title=Why do people put zip ties on hub caps?|url=https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/zip-tie-hub-cap-a4354-20200321|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-28|website=www.topgear.com.ph|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315021252/https://www.topgear.com.ph/features/feature-articles/zip-tie-hub-cap-a4354-20200321 |archive-date=2021-03-15 }} The use of cable ties in medicolegal cases is infrequent, being involved in situations of neck compression or restraint.{{cite journal |last1=Byard |first1=Roger W |author-link=Roger Byard |title=Cable ties in forensic practice |journal=Medicine, Science and the Law |date=22 February 2024 |volume=65 |issue=1 |pages=23–27 |doi=10.1177/00258024241233464|pmid=38387872 }} ==History== Cable ties were invented by [Thomas & Betts](/source/Thomas_%26_Betts), an electrical company, in 1958 under the brand name Ty-Rap. Initially, they were designed for airplane [wire harness](/source/wire_harness)es. The original design used a metal tooth, and these can still be obtained. Manufacturers later changed to the nylon/plastic design.See the [http://s7d3.scene7.com/s7/brochure/flash_brochure.jsp?company=ThomasBetts&sku=tnbhistory&config=ThomasBetts/eCatalogcp&locale=en&image=ThomasBetts/tnbhistory Thomas and Betts official website]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104030028/http://s7d3.scene7.com/s7/brochure/flash_brochure.jsp?company=ThomasBetts&sku=tnbhistory&config=ThomasBetts%2FeCatalogcp&locale=en&image=ThomasBetts%2Ftnbhistory |date=November 4, 2013 }}{{self-published source|date=July 2014}} Over the years the design has been extended and developed into many spin-off products. One example was a self-locking loop developed as an alternative to purse-string suture in colon anastomosis.{{cite journal|last1=Höglund|first1=Odd V.|last2=Maxon|first2=Oskar|last3=Grönberg|first3=Anders|title=A self-locking loop as an alternative to purse-string suture in colon anastomosis: a feasibility study|journal=BMC Research Notes|date=8 February 2017|volume=10|issue=1|page=89 |doi=10.1186/s13104-017-2412-4|pmc=5299739|pmid=28179015 |doi-access=free }} The Ty-Rap cable tie's inventor, Maurus C. Logan, worked for Thomas & Betts and finished his career with the company as Vice President of Research and Development. During his tenure at Thomas & Betts, he contributed to the development and marketing of many successful Thomas & Betts products. Logan died on 12 November 2007, at age 86.{{cite web |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/maurus-logan-obituary?pid=97896269&view=guestbook |title=Maurus C. Logan Obituary|website=[Legacy.com](/source/Legacy.com) |date=13 November 2007 }} The idea for the cable tie came to Logan while touring a Boeing aircraft manufacturing facility in 1956. Aircraft wiring was a cumbersome and detailed undertaking, involving thousands of feet of wire organized on sheets of 50-foot-long plywood and [held in place with knotted, wax-coated, braided nylon cord](/source/Cable_lacing). Each knot had to be pulled tight by wrapping the cord around one's finger, which sometimes cut the operator's fingers until they developed thick calluses. Logan was convinced there had to be an easier, more forgiving way to accomplish this critical task.{{cite web |url=https://new.abb.com/low-voltage/news/news-archive/abb-ty-rap-invention |title=How the Ty-Rap® was invented }} For the next couple of years, Logan experimented with various tools and materials. On June 24, 1958, a patent for the Ty-Rap cable tie was submitted.Maurus C. Logan, "Cable bundling and supporting strap",{{us patent|3022557}}, filed 24 June 1958, issued 27 February 1962. ==Reusable & recyclable cable ties== Cable ties are generally designed as single-use devices; however, they can be reopened with little or no damage by inserting a small flat object between the ratchet and the pawl, and pulling the pawl out. Some models have a mechanism to release the pawl and allow re-use. Alternatively, the tie can be twisted 180 degrees and inserted into the case upside down to create a weaker loop that can be easily opened by hand, but still strong enough for certain simple tasks, such as holding several cables together. In later years, some manufacturers have developed cable ties from materials other than traditional plastics, with such cable ties instead being made from recyclable materials such as long wood fibres {{cite web |last1=Svedberg |first1=Sigrid |title=Presenting the sustainable cable tie |url=https://www.fibrestrap.com/product |website=Fibrestrap.com |publisher=EVLR International AB |access-date=21 March 2025}} == Alternatives == Other methods of bundling cable together securely and semi-permanently include [cable lacing](/source/cable_lacing), [strapping](/source/strapping), [binding knot](/source/binding_knot)s such as the [surgeon's knot](/source/surgeon's_knot) or [constrictor knot](/source/constrictor_knot), [Velcro](/source/Hook-and-loop_fastener) brand hook-and-loop strips, conveyor belt hooks, [twist tie](/source/twist_tie)s, Rapstrap fasteners, or metal [buckle](/source/buckle). ==See also== *[Cable dressing](/source/Cable_dressing) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Commons category}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20100305130830/http://www.amirazemati.com/articles/5489/1/History-Of-Cable-Tie/Page1.html History of Cable Tie (archived)] {{DEFAULTSORT:Cable tie}} Category:American inventions Category:Fasteners --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cable tie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_tie) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_tie?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.