[RE-wrenches] SS zip ties

[Mark Frye]

Bill,

I am more in your camp.  SS ties look like cutting knifes to me.

A lot of the worry over plastic comes from the folks in New Mexico. What
they have there is a "parching" environment more that trouble with UV.

I use the Panduit cable tie with the "-120" suffix, weather resistant nylon
12. Their data shows 12-15 year life expectancy.  Most of these ties are
actually protected from direct sunlight and weather, so I think they have a
fighting chance in most environments.  

Mark Frye
Berkeley Solar Electric Systems
303 Redbud Way
Nevada City,  CA 95959
(530) 401-8024
www.berkeleysolar.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Bill Brooks
Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2008 5:53 PM
To: 'RE-wrenches'
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SS zip ties

Folks,

I'm a bit sour on SS ties. These are easy to overtighten and have caused
numerous ground faults in the field. My recommendation is to use
UV-resistant black wire ties and install 2-3 times as many as necessary.
Sure some will fail over time, but we are much less likely to have ground
faults, and proper O&M says that we maintain the wire supports over time and
replace broken ties as need. Proper tension is a must and people have to be
shown how to do it properly and checked up on in the field to make sure they
are not getting them too tight.

Bill.

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of William
Miller
Sent: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 9:52 PM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] SS zip ties

Kent:

To tighten:  1. Pull tie snug by hand.  2. Cut tail about 20 mm from clasp.
3. Roll tail with needle-nose pliers, like a sardine can lid.  This tightens
tie and hides sharp end.

See
http://mpandc.com/practices/Technical_Procedures/PV_wiring/PV_wiring.html
for photos.

Do not over-tighten to avoid wire damage.

William


At 09:25 PM 12/10/2008, you wrote:
>Fastenal has stainless ties is various lengths
>
>http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0710242
>
>For those that haven't used these before, beware that it is difficult 
>to tighten them.
>
>Kent Osterberg
>Blue Mountain Solar


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