Cable Ties for Cable Management

What is cable management

Positioning devices cover a wide variety of products, such as cable ties, fixing devices, bundling wraps, cable wraps, wiring ducts and similar types of related hardware. These devices provide mechanical means for bundling, securing, and positioning wires and cables for factory installation within equipment/devices and for field installation to meet national installation codes. They deliver neat and professional cable management installed within electrical equipment.

IEC, UL, and CSA

CSA C22.2 No. 62275 and UL 62275, the Standard for Cable Management Systems – Cable Ties for Electrical Installations, are based on the IEC 62275 standard. UL Standards and Engagement and CSA standards adopt the original IEC text and include national differences to address safety and regulatory situations.

UL Certification — Listed vs. Recognized

• Positioning devices that satisfy UL Solutions’ certification requirements are certified under UL Category Control Number (CCN) ZODZ or ZODZ2 apply in United States and ZODZ7 and ZODZ8 apply in Canada. Manufacturers are authorized to apply the applicable UL Certification Marks to the certified product.
• The Enhanced UL Certification Mark and the UL Listed Mark are intended for factory or field installation in accordance with ANSI/NFPA 70, National Electrical Code® (NEC). The UL Recognized Mark is for components intended for factory installation in another device or product.
• For UL Mark information, see Marks for North America: UL Marks and Labels.
• For category guide information:
  • United States
    • ZODZ.GuideInfo – Positioning devices
    • ZODZ2.GuideInfo – Positioning devices – Component
  • Canada
    • ZODZ7.GuideInfo – Positioning devices certified for Canada
    • ZODZ8.GuideInfo – Positioning devices certified for Canada – Component

Cable ties and fixing devices

• Cable ties and fixing devices undergo evaluation in accordance with UL 62275 for specific functions.
• Cable ties are bands or lengths of material employing a locking device used for bundling or tying groups of cables together. Cable ties subjected to additional tests may be suitable for providing primary support of cable, flexible conduit or flexible tubing in accordance with the relevant national installation code (See Support). Cable ties may be designed with a releasable locking mechanism investigated for a single installation.
• Fixing devices, including edge clips, screw mounts, push mounts and devices that include features such as adhesives, are suitable for securing cable ties to mounting surfaces with parameters such as mounting surface, material, holes and slots.
• Applications that require both bundling and surface securement features may be achieved by installing an integral device produced as a single component incorporating a non-separable cable tie and fixing device.

Classifications

Cable ties and fixing devices are categorized based on performance ratings declared by the manufacturer. Each rating is identified by a Type designation based on the product’s material, strength and applicable standard (geographical region).

Material temperature rating

Products undergo investigation for a maximum operating temperature declared by the manufacturer and achieved through short-term property evaluation outlined in UL 62275. The addition of the “1” suffix indicates that the polymeric material has undergone further investigation regarding its thermal endurance of the mechanical strength and structural integrity properties, commonly referred to as relative thermal index (RTI), in accordance with CSA-C22.2 No. 0.17 or UL 746B, the Standard for Polymeric Materials – Long Term Property Evaluations. The material was investigated as part of a long-term thermal aging program to establish a temperature for which the critical property is not compromised over the reasonable life of an electrical product.

Strength

Products undergo evaluation using specific test methods based on the declared Type designation. Final design and installation dictate the appropriate Type designation based on the evaluation of strength (see “Type designation”).

• Breaking – Products undergo investigation to retain 50% of the declared loop tensile strength (cable ties) or mechanical strength (fixing devices) after environmental exposures. Applies to Types 1 and 11.
• One-minute withstand – Products undergo investigation to maintain the declared loop tensile strength (cable ties) or mechanical strength (fixing devices) after environmental exposures. Applies to Types 2 and 21.
• Five-minute withstand – Products undergo investigation to maintain the declared loop tensile strength (cable ties) or mechanical strength (fixing devices) after environmental exposures. Applies to Types 2S and 21S (see “Support”).

Type designation

Products are categorized by Type designations pertaining to the manufacturer-declared material and strength classifications. Type designations offer the end user a quick and consistent understanding of the investigation for which the product has been identified. Type designation used in a given case shall be designed and constructed according to the intended uses of the installation. Final approval is dependent on the end-use application.

Bundling diameter

Cable tie length correlates to the distance necessary to wrap around single or multiple wires and cables, also referred to as the bundle diameter. The manufacturer-recommended bundle diameter is verified for proper selection of cable ties.

Loop strength vs. mechanical strength

• Mechanical properties of cable ties and fixing devices are expressed in loop tensile strength and mechanical strength, respectively.
  • Loop tensile strength – This is a reference characteristic of a cable tie with its locking mechanism engaged. Stress is applied simultaneously on the locking mechanism and strap, representing the cable tie’s ability to bundle a group of wires. Manufacturers may refer to loop tensile strength to represent various cable tie sizes. A rating does not indicate long-term static load-bearing capabilities. The loop tensile strength does not represent the strength of the material, a separate investigation is necessary.
  • Mechanical strength – This is a reference characteristic of a fixing device to secure a cable tie to a mounting surface. Mechanical strength is a device’s ability to maintain a connection between the cable tie and the fixing device and/or secure the fixing device to the surface. Stress is applied to the securement method of the fixing device.
• Declared mechanical strength should be considered along with the loop tensile strength when determining proper installation.
• Cable ties designed with an integral fixing device, referred to as an “integral device,” declare a loop tensile strength and mechanical strength specific to each feature.
• Both loop tensile strength and mechanical strength test methods vary based on the declared Type designation.

Mounting hardware

Fixing devices may be secured to a surface through various methods such as screws, bolts, rivets and adhesives. Different strengths can be obtained based on the securement method and the manufacturer’s instructions. Special applications with unique securement methods may require additional consideration.

Support

The performance of cable ties and fixing devices are defined in two key characteristics: securement and support.

• Securement of wire or cable means it is fixed or attached firmly in a particular place or specific location. Wire or cable is placed or arranged to maintain a single position or to follow a desired route. Referenced strength is the device’s ability to operate properly.
• Support of wire or cable bears all or part of the weight. Referenced strength is commonly a result of gravitational force, but may also be applied in alternative directions.
• Electrical codes provide guidance on securing and supporting specific electrical installations and spacing intervals where primary support is required. These terms are not interchangeable and are not permitted to be installed around framing members. Example: Cable runs between boxes at specific intervals.
• All Type designations in UL 62275 are capable of securing. Products investigated for primary support, per the manufacturer, contain an “S” suffix to the Type designation (applies to Types 2S and 21S only). Support rating only applies when installing flexible conduit, flexible tubing or cable as indicated in the respective electrical code. Other installations shall be approved through further investigation. Rigid conduit is not covered.
• Different Test method for securing compared to support (see “Strength”). Support products declare a minimum loop tensile strength and/or mechanical strength of 222 Newtons (50 lb-f).
• Flexible conduit and tubing is defined as a raceway that is easy to bend without tools.
• Consideration should be given to proper selection of cable tie and fixing devices with respect to the Type designation and installation surface. Support cable ties should be installed with an appropriate support fixing device, along with the hardware used when attaching cables to the support structure.

Suitable environments

• Installers will be responsible for selecting the proper ratings for each application and the declared ratings on the product package.
• The minimum installation temperature is selected based on the temperature during which the products will be installed.
• The minimum and maximum operating temperatures are selected based on the temperature range for the environment of the final application. Additional temperature factors, such as heat generated from the electrical current of the conductor or surrounding heat sources, require additional consideration.
• “Resistant to ultraviolet light” is selected if the product is used outdoors or exposed to ultraviolet light.

Resistant to ultraviolet light

• A product’s strength undergoes investigation following ultraviolet light and water exposure in accordance with Method A, Cycle 1 of ISO 4892-2. Products may be suitable for exposure to ultraviolet light and/or outdoor use when marked on the package. Products are investigated to verify that the critical property is not compromised over the reasonable life of an electrical product.
• Polymer materials may be modified with UV stabilizers in a range of colors and may have undergone additional testing to verify material properties. Effects of long-term exposure to ultraviolet light have not been determined, and consideration should be given based on the final application and geographic region.

Air-handling spaces

• Spaces where electrical wiring and equipment are installed in fabricated ducts, specifically used for environmental air or spaces not primarily designed for but used as environmental air, including but not limited to spaces above hung ceilings or below raised floors. This does not include plenums used for removing dust, loose stock or vapor, or for ventilation of commercial-type cooking equipment. Electrical codes require metallic and nonmetallic devices installed in these areas to release a low quantity of smoke and heat if exposed to fire.
• Products used in these spaces are classified as Type 2, 21, 2S, or 21S (see “Type designation”).
  • AH-1 – Metallic products suitable for installation within air-handling ducts and other environmental air spaces without testing due to the metallic material’s noncombustible properties. They are accordingly marked “AH-1” on the package.
  • AH-2 – These are nonmetallic products suitable for installation within spaces not primarily designed for but used as environmental air and not to be installed inside fabricated ducts. Nonmetallic materials are combustible and undergo investigation for low smoke (optical density) and heat release properties in accordance with UL 2043, the Standard for Fire Test for Heat and Visible Smoke Release for Discrete Products and Their Accessories Installed in Air-Handling Spaces. Applicable materials include nonmetallic (polymeric), composite and metallic products with a nonmetallic coating. Suitable products are accordingly marked “AH-2” on the package.

Hand tools

Manufacturers recommend a method of installation on the package or literature based on the design, polymeric material and ratings. Specific installation tools may be recommended to achieve the manufacturer’s declared specifications. Installation tools are not certified according to UL 62275. Cable ties certified to UL 62275 have undergone investigation for installation by hand.

Marking — Package

• Marking a product is just as important as the established rating.
• The rating only applies when it’s marked on the package.
• Manufacturer-declared ratings shall align with the certification information located directly on the packaging and/or literature.
• Performance parameters are to be clearly marked to allow the end user or installer to select the correct products for the application, such as but not limited to the bundle diameters, strength, temperature ranges, resistance to ultraviolet light, and mounting surfaces.