[RE-wrenches] Stainless Steel Cable Ties

[Jason Szumlanski]

We used black UV resistant plastic ties in the past, and YES, there are
significant problems with failure. This may be an effect of the SW Florida
climate, but I say without hesitation that they can fall apart within a few
short years. I recently did an inspection on a 15kw system installed by
others, and the flat roof was littered with hundreds of snapped and brittle
black plastic ties. We've tried multiple brands and sources, and never
found one that holds up to the Southwest Florida sun.

We still use them on solar pool heating systems for sensor wires, but we've
abandoned them on all PV jobs.

*Jason Szumlanski** *

*Fafco Solar*

On Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 11:06 AM, August Goers <august at luminalt.com> wrote:

> I too share the concern about standard plastic zip ties. However, I
> started in the industry in 1997 and have yet to see zip ties that are
> falling apart. Does anyone on the list have firsthand experience with
> failed plastic zip ties?
>
>
>
> Best,
>
>
>
> August
>
>
>
>
>
> August Goers
>
>
>
> Luminalt Energy Corporation
>
> 1320 Potrero Avenue
>
> San Francisco, CA 94110
>
> m: 415.559.1525
>
> o: 415.641.4000
>
> august at luminalt.com
>
>
>
> *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:
> re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] *On Behalf Of *Solarguy
>
> *Sent:* Thursday, April 25, 2013 7:08 AM
> *To:* 'RE-wrenches'
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Stainless Steel Cable Ties
>
>
>
> We have used 8” flat  SS ties for years and I have no concern about the
> wear on the conductor insulation. They are long enough to circle a standard
> Unirac rail and several wires leaving 1” or so tag end. Needle nose pliers
> work to twist the end and snug down the tie as tight as you’re comfortable
> with. The metal tie, once bent around the corners cannot stretch any
> tighter, unlike nylon, regardless of how tightly you twist the pliers. As
> for the edges, quality ties are not sharp. Or cheap.
>
>
>
> Jim Duncan
>
>
> *From:* re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [
> mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org<re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org>]
> *On Behalf Of *Jason Szumlanski
> *Sent:* Thursday, April 25, 2013 8:08 AM
> *To:* RE-wrenches
> *Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Stainless Steel Cable Ties
>
>
>
> There was a recent thread about wire management. Heyco SunBundler ties
> have a vinyl coating. I recommended the clips from PV Racking that are
> stainless steel coated in rubber. I've had the same concern, and both of
> these seem like good solutions to me.
>
>
>
> *Jason Szumlanski** *
>
> *Fafco Solar*
>
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 1:20 AM, Benn Kilburn - DayStar Renewable Energy <
> benn at daystarsolar.ca> wrote:
>
> Wrenches,
>
> I searched the archives, but came up with nothing on this….
>
>
>
> I have found a good supplier for reasonably priced stainless steel cable
> ties and have been using them in place of black nylon cable ties for
> supporting cables, PV wires and micro-inverter wires to the mounting rails
> and such.  I feel better knowing the wires under the array are supported
> this way rather than with plastic/nylon cable ties, for which I tried but
> cannot get a manufacturer to guarantee will last 20+yrs.
>
>
>
> A colleague is questioning this method (SS ties) with the concern that
> over time the (albeit small) movement in the wires and/or
> expansion/contraction of the rails could result in the stainless steel
> cable ties cutting thru the wire's insulation and then…..
>
> I have heard this concern before from others as well.
>
>
>
> The way I see it is that the very popular stainless steel "S" cable clips
> that hold wires to module frames have comparable equal sharp edges as well
> and would pose the same risk, but there doesn't seem to be any concern
> there.
>
>
>
> I am wondering who else is using SS ties in place of nylon ones, and if
> you are taking additional steps to protect the wire's insulation from the
> SS ties?
>
> Common sense abides, meaning don't wrap a wire around the SS ties so that
> the wire has tension on the sharp edge of the tie.  Flat edge contact with
> the wire only, the same way that you wouldn't run a wire across/around a
> sharp cut edge of a rail or anything else.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> benn
>
>
>
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