Zip Ties, Cable Ties, and Tie Wraps
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Zip Ties: The Ultimate Guide
What has traveled as far as Mars, has billions of units produced yearly, and even has a day dedicated to it? That’s right, zip ties! On June 24th, you can celebrate National Zip Tie day by fastening things together with these beloved gadgets. But zip ties are more than just a fun gizmo for household use—many industries rely on these tiny strips of nylon or metal to hold together their vital components. With a name like ZipTie.com, we thought it was time to put together the ultimate guide to zip ties so we can share our inside knowledge of these fun and useful tools.
Is a Cable Tie and a Zip Tie the Same Thing?
Yes, cable ties and zip ties are the same thing. Whether you call it a cable tie, zip tie, zipper tie, wire tie, wire wrap, hose tie or even mouse/rat belt, you’ll still end up with a handy and functional item that will help you corral anything that needs to be secured.
So, what is the difference between cable ties and zip ties? Nothing! It’s just what you choose to call it. Some people may point to a “cable tie” being used specifically for cables while a zip tie can be used for a multitude of things, but that is a personal preference. For this ultimate guide from ZipTie.com, we’ll use both “cable tie” and “zip tie” interchangeably.
Why purchase from us?
A lot of our competitor's cable ties are made of a cheaper resin called Nylon 6. We use a resin called Nylon 66. Our ties test to UL standards and work down to -40 degrees so they can be used in the harshest environments. In addition, we're one of the few places where you can order a freight car worth of zip ties by just calling our phone number and getting connected directly with a salesperson. We don't make you jump through any hoops to get a quote.
Who Is the Inventor of Zip Ties?
Maurus C. Logan invented the first cable tie in 1958. Two years previously, he toured a Boeing aircraft plant. He noticed that the workers were injuring their fingers due to the waxed nylon cord they hand-tied to hold together electric cables. His engineer’s brain started turning—there had to be a better way. After two years of research and development, Logan created the first self-cinching cable tie.
The first cable ties were manufactured in 1958 by Thomas & Betts under the brand name Ty-Rap. While the first iteration was a brand name, zip ties quickly became a common, unbranded tool due to their many uses.
Logan’s initial version of the cable tie was made just for that purpose—tying together electrical cables. Due to the massive size of airplane cables, they were made out of metal. In the following years, manufacturers started using nylon and plastic to improve on the design and make cable ties with different strengths, colors, and lengths for a variety of applications.
No, “zip tie” is not a brand name. This name originates from the “zzzzz” sound that the cable tie makes when tightening it. There are several brand names for zip ties, but the term zip tie is a generic one.
The history of cable ties is one of innovation for practical solutions. Here at ZipTie.com, we follow this tradition with cable ties and wire management solutions that are highly customizable to fit your unique needs.
How Many Types of Cable Ties Are There?
Many types of cable ties can be made from assorted materials with a few variations on the basic design. This basic design generally includes three parts:
- The head: This is the area at the top of the cable tie that houses the securing mechanism and the tail of the zip tie once it is secured.
- The shank: This is the piece that secures the zip tie in place. There are a few different variations of the shank, but the most common one is a square shank with a tongue that clicks into the grooves on the stem and prevents the cable tie from coming undone. This mechanism can also be called a “pawl and ratchet.”
- The stem: This is the long “tail” of the zip tie that holds the grooves (sometimes called “teeth”) the shank clicks into. The grooves are the most common type of stem for cable ties.
Types of cable ties you’ll find on ZipTie.com include:
- Cable Ties - This is the zip tie that most of us are familiar with—typically made from nylon, the design features a pawl and ratchet that allows movement in one direction. They come in many different lengths and sizes for a variety of uses.
- Extern/Low-Profile - A variation of the basic cable tie, extern ties have a low-profile head that allows them to fit in smaller spaces.
- Stainless Steel - These cable ties use the same design but are made with industrial strength 304 Grade stainless steel. They are extremely strong and commonly used when moisture is an issue as they do not corrode. This makes them ideal for automotive, aerospace, nuclear, utility, and construction applications.
- Screw Mount - A screw mount zip tie has an additional piece that juts out from the top of the zipping mechanism. This allows you to secure the cable tie with a screw on any applicable surface, giving you the ability to tuck cables under desks or overhead beams (or whatever application works for your situation).
- Sharp Tip - With a triangle tip for easy fastening, these plastic zip ties improve the blunt end design of many cable ties.
- Beaded - Beaded zip ties are a variation of the basic design. Rather than using a square shank with a tongue that catches the teeth on the stem, the stem has beads at regular intervals. The shank is usually a loop that fits over the beads that have a small groove to pull the shank down on the stem between the beads to secure it. Beaded zip ties with this design can be reused, which greatly benefits certain applications. However, some beaded zip ties use an alternate design for the head, where a funnel is pulled over each bead. Because the exit of the funnel is smaller than the entrance, this prevents this type of beaded zip tie from being reused easily.
- Double Loop - A double loop cable tie can be used to secure two bundles of wire with the same tie. The head has two shanks (like for beaded double loops), or two slots in the shank to allow this to happen. After wrapping around the first bundle and pulling it through one shank, the stem can then be wrapped around the second segment and secured through the second shank.
- Reusable/Releasable - Releasable zip ties include a mechanism on the shank that lifts the pawl to free it from the ratchet. This allows the zip tie to be released and reused many more times. Some beaded zip ties can fall into this category as well.
- Handcuff - These zip ties are primarily used by law enforcement. They feature a long stem with two shanks that allow two loops to be placed on an individual’s wrists. As they can only move in one direction, it’s important to take precautions to not overtighten and keep a safety tool on hand to cut the ties in case of overtightening.
- Fuel Hose - Also known as “radius cable ties” or “clamp ties,” this unique design has a head that provides an even compression around the object being secured. The radial head allows a 360 degree seal, with the stem making contact with the object all the way around. This is commonly used for soft rubber hoses like fuel, water, or air lines as they provide an even seal.
- Hook & Loop - With stiff nylon hooks that catch soft nylon loops, these reusable cable ties are often used to secure electrical cables. They are perfect for preventing over tensioning, especially for delicate applications like computer or server cables.
Another way you can categorize cable ties is by length, color, or pack size. Here at ZipTie.com you can:
Shop by length:
- 4"
- 4.3"
- 5"
- 6"
- 6.3"
- 8"
- 10.2"
- 11"
- 12"
- 14"
- 15"
- 18"
- 20.5"
- 21"
- 24"
- 26.7"
- 32"
- 36"
- 40"
- 48"
- 60"
Shop by color:
- Black
- Natural
- Blue
- Brown
- Green
- Maroon
- Orange
- Pink
- Purple
- Red
- Silver
- Yellow
Shop by pack size:
- 1 Each
- 1,000 Pack
- 500 Pack
- 100 Pack
- 50 Pack
- 25 Pack
What Is Cable Tie Classification?
Essentially, if a cable tie meets certain criteria laid out by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), or CSA in Standard 62275, they will be marked with the appropriate designation. Have you ever seen a product marked as “UL type 21s cable ties” or maybe you’re wondering, “W are Type 2S cable ties?” These are referring to the cable tie classification system.
You’ll usually see cable ties marked as Type 1, 11, 2, 2S, 21, or 21S if they meet these standards for testing. These classifications help people know if the cable tie they select is appropriate for their application. For example, Type 2S and Type 21S are usually suitable for securing and supporting conduits and cables in building construction. Other types will probably not meet the building codes that the construction industry is required to follow.
At ZipTie.com, you’ll find cable ties that fall into every one of these categories so you can select the right type for your job.
Which Zip Ties Are the Strongest?
Zip ties that are made out of metal are typically the strongest. However, just because you have access to heavy duty zip ties, doesn’t necessarily mean they are the right type for the job. When selecting a zip tie for your application, it’s important to consider if you really need that much power. Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about large heavy duty zip ties to understand how strong these zip ties are and why you might select them. To learn more about heavy duty zip ties, visit our blog “How Much Weight Can Heavy Duty Zip Ties Hold?”
Most manufacturers will put the weight limit in the product description. The way that manufacturers determine the strength of each material is by testing the tensile strength. This is the amount of weight the cable can withstand before breaking. For most cable ties, the weakest point is the head, where the locking mechanism is. When there is too much tension on the tie, the shank breaks, and the zip tie fails.
In order to test the tensile strength of the cable ties, they are zipped closed and placed on two semi circles, just how they are designed to be used. These semi circles then move away from each other, stretching the cable tie and applying weight until it breaks. The machine measures the amount of force it takes to break the tie, and that is the number the manufacturer puts on the product description. Here at ZipTie.com, we rigorously test all of our cable ties to make sure they are meeting our exacting standards.
As discussed above, the strongest zip ties will have the strongest head or locking mechanism. Metal zip ties are typically the strongest, since the shank is made out of metal and is able to withstand more force.
Yes, metal zip ties are typically stronger than plastic. Metal zip ties are commonly made out of stainless steel. In addition to being able to withstand more force than nylon, stainless steel can tolerate higher temperatures, radiation, and vibrations than nylon. However, nylon can be blended with other materials to enhance its strength.
Here at ZipTie.com, our strongest metal zip tie is a 26.7-inch UV resistant stainless steel cable tie with 350-lb tensile strength. There are some custom-manufactured metal zip ties that can withstand up to 800 pounds! If you are searching for a custom strong metal zip tie, contact us today.
Our nylon zip ties range from small zip ties that are 5 inches and can withstand 18 pounds to zip ties that can hold 175 pounds. The weight that a plastic zip tie can hold will depend on the size and manufacturer specifications. Be sure to check the product description to select the correct cable tie for your application.
Cable ties are generally considered to be “heavy duty” when they can withstand 120 pounds or more of force. Each manufacturer will have a different designation for which zip ties qualify as “heavy duty,” so it is important to check the product specifications for the exact tensile strength.
It depends—it could be because you have secured them improperly, or it may be a case where you’ve chosen the incorrect zip tie material for the application. For example, a nylon zip tie may get brittle and break easily when exposed to the dry, cold winter air. For this reason, you may want to select a different material for your zip ties if they will be in these types of conditions.
Most large zip ties are considered heavy duty and should be over the 120-lb tensile strength mark. However, their tensile strength will vary depending on the material and size of the cable tie.
Here at Ziptie.com, you can shop by strength to find the perfect cable tie for your situation:
Is a Cable Tie a Tool?
Yes, a cable tie is a tool that many industries rely on daily. In fact, there are so many cable tie uses that it would be impossible to list them all! While cable ties uses in the computer industry are one of the most obvious applications, we’ve decided to highlight a couple interesting use cases so you can understand just how versatile these tools truly are.
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Heavy Duty Zip Ties for Outdoor Use
From tree farms to cannabis operations to construction, heavy duty zip ties can often be found in the great outdoors. Often used for securing branches, fences, and other outdoor uses, cable ties are an adaptable and hardy tool for outdoor applications. At the construction site, you’ll often see heavy duty zip ties used for fencing or to temporarily hold materials in place before they are permanently secured.
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Cable Ties for Entertainment Use
That’s right, your favorite sport probably uses zip ties! Here at Ziptie.com, we’re the proud supplier of many different sports centers. Small cable ties are often used for securing sports netting, banners, windscreens, and other entertainment paraphernalia.
As you can see, zip ties have a wide variety of uses and can be applied to virtually any industry. However, you may find yourself asking, “What can I use instead of a zip tie?” While you can come up with a MacGyvered “fix,” the truth is that simply using a zip tie will probably be the stronger, safer solution.
What Is the Price of a Zip Tie?
Unfortunately, there isn’t a way to list an exact cable tie price. It will vary depending on the material, size, width, and quantity you order. If you look up “zip ties Lowes” or “zip ties Home Depot,” you’ll quickly notice how different the prices are and how expensive it is to order zip ties in bulk through common retailers.
If you’re trying to purchase bulk zip ties through a manufacturer, you’ll also find that it’s difficult, as many vendors don’t provide upfront pricing transparency. We do things differently here at ZipTie.com. Whether you’re searching for bulk long zip ties, black zip ties, wide zip ties, or any other criteria, you can view our prices on our website. You’ll notice that most of our zip ties have a price per pack and an individual price, as well as savings per unit when you order in bulk.
Where Can I Find the Right Cable Tie Manufacturer? At Ziptie.com.
When searching for a cable tie provider, it’s important to evaluate the vendor’s catalog, materials, customer service, and ability to deliver the quantity you need. High quality cable ties are important tools you rely on for your work. Here at ZipTie.com, our cable ties are made from US materials like nylon 6/6 or stainless steel. We offer UL-Listed and UV Resistant, as well as a wide range of options so you can find your exact cable tie material specification.
We offer a guarantee that we’ll replace or refund your order if there are any issues—because our comprehensive in-house testing ensures the quality of our products. And, with our stable inventory and fast shipping, we can get you as many zip ties as you need right when you need them. Explore our cable tie offerings or give us a call today (+1-855-947-8433 between 8:30 AM—5:30 PM EST) to talk with us about your exact needs—we’re looking forward to partnering with you!
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