subject: What Are Tie Wraps? [print this page] Tie wraps, also referred to as cable ties and zip ties, are fasteners that are commonly used for banding electronic wires to organize and lessen the safety risk. In their common types, these wraps are made from durable nylon with gear racks and on the end there is a ratchet within a small open case. When the end of the tie wraps are pulled through this case and the ratchet, it is quite impossible to pull back leading for the band to be secured tighter. While these fasteners are normally used to fasten cable wires, these are also used as improvised handcuffs in many countries including the US, UK, Belgium and many more.
Tie wraps were introduced in 1958 by Robert Thomas and Hobbert Betts, founders of Thomas & Betts Electronics Company. The fasteners were first called as Ty Raps used for wire harnesses for many machines including engines of airplanes. The first designs were made of steel instead of plastic nylon. These later changed to the present-day design. This invention was very practical for industrial needs.
Tie wraps are normally used as single-use or disposable tools. However, these fasteners can be used again. Instead of totally cutting the wraps, you can just let loose of the ratchet from the loop and use again the wraps. Even though most wraps are devised to be used with a tab that lets go of the ratchet, in many cases a needle or a small pointer could be inserted between the ratchet and the rack. But be careful with re-using the wraps since they are virtually weaker than brand new ones. Also, in order to open the wraps without destroying it, you can crush the ratchet using pliers or screw driver.
The products are also available in different colors you can choose from. But the colors black and white are generally used for commercial and industrial use while the blue wraps are normally used for places that are teeming with radioactivity and red wraps are related with plenum.
Aside from color wraps, there are also fasteners that are available in numerous materials and categories. Several of these are micro wraps, durable wraps, standard wraps and many more. Micro wraps are utilized for objects with mass below 15 lbs and those that are sensitive to handle. Alternatively, durable wraps are used for objects with mass of over 120 lbs. The measurements are also varied from 10 inches to 30 inches. This is based according to the number of objects to be fastened together and the total mass as to what length of durable wraps should be used. As well, standard wraps are also available in assorted colors. They can bind up to 60 lbs and are commonly used for home use. Likewise, medium wraps are used to fasten notches of 40 lbs items.
All tie wraps or cable ties except reusable bundles have the same process of wrapping, stretching to a needed tension and cutting. Furthermore, many color varieties are available such as fluorescents and specialized types.
