Cable Ties Selection Guide

Cable tie size is length x width: length sets the bundle diameter it can wrap, width sets the opening strength, and the letters in the product code show the width.

This guide covers what to look at when choosing products in the Cable Ties category.

How to read cable tie size and code

Cable tie size is written as length x width: 200x4.8 mm means a tie that is 200 mm long and 4.8 mm wide. The length determines the bundle diameter the tie can wrap. On Gwest product pages this value appears in the "maximum clamping diameter" row: about 20 mm for a 100 mm length, about 50 mm for a 200 mm length, and about 80 mm for a 300 mm length.

As the width increases, the opening strength increases. For nylon models with a technical value entered, width and opening strength match as follows:

2.5 mm width: 8 kg
3.6 mm width: 18 kg
4.8 mm width: 22 kg
7.6 mm width: 55 kg
9 mm width: 80 kg

The letters in Gwest and Konsan product codes also show the width: M is 2.5 mm, I is 3.6 mm, ST is 4.8 mm, and HD covers the 7.6 mm and 9 mm wide ties; on standard ties, a B at the end of the code indicates black. On stainless steel ties, ST corresponds to a 4.6 mm width and HD to 7.9 mm.

Cable tie types

Standard nylon ties: in white, black and colored versions, they are the general-purpose tie for wiring inside panels and enclosed spaces.
Ultraviolet (UV) resistant ties: they are black. In the catalog, "standard black" and "ultraviolet" are separate product types; black color alone does not mean UV resistance.
Releasable ties: pressing the locking latch frees the strap, so the tie opens without being cut. Gwest releasable models are recorded with an opening strength of 36 kg for a 7.6 mm width; a standard tie of the same width has 55 kg.
Labeled ties: the writing area on the tie both fastens and marks the bundle.
Ties with mounting heads: Konsan's "panel push-in head" type is made to be fixed to the panel by its head. Gwest spacer and Konsan barbed types are also listed; check the head shape from the product image.
Stainless steel cable ties: available plain or with polyester or PVC coating; models with a recorded material are 304 stainless steel. The coating helps prevent galvanic corrosion where the tie touches a different metal, such as a galvanized cable tray.

What to check, in order

Bundle diameter: choose the length whose maximum clamping diameter is larger than the bundle diameter.
Load: on vertical runs and vibrating machines the tie carries the weight of the bundle; width and opening strength are set accordingly. Opening strength is the force a locked loop withstands in tension; in IEC 62275 this quantity is called loop tensile strength.
Temperature: for nylon 66 (PA66) models with a recorded material, the operating temperature is between -40 °C and +85 °C. For surfaces outside this range, a stainless steel tie is considered.
Sun and outdoor exposure: for runs left outdoors, choose a tie whose product type is ultraviolet, or a stainless steel tie.
Marking: colored or labeled ties are used to separate circuits; separate labels and carriers are in the labeling and marking materials category.

IEC 62275 classifies cable ties by material, loop tensile strength, operating temperature, contribution to fire, UV radiation and corrosion resistance; manufacturer data sheets can be compared under these headings. The standard does not evaluate a tie's electrical insulation or the mechanical protection it gives the cable; for these functions, sleeves, spiral tubing or in-panel cable trunking are used.

Points to watch in use

Nylon absorbs and releases moisture from its environment, and moisture softens the material; a dried-out tie becomes hard and can break during installation. Store an opened pack closed.

An over-tightened tie crushes the cable sheath; on data and coaxial cables this crushing can degrade transmission properties. A cable tie tensioning tool tightens the tie at an adjustable force and cuts the excess tail flush with the head, so no sharp end remains.

Brands in this category

Gwest: GT series standard white, black and colored ties; ultraviolet, labeled, releasable and spacer types; stainless steel and PVC-coated stainless steel ties with MTL codes.
Konsan: KCT series white, black and colored ties, labeled and panel push-in types, K-MTL stainless and K-PMTL polyester-coated stainless ties.
Isıso: BQLS white and SQLS black cable ties, MQLS stainless steel and PMQLS PVC-coated stainless steel ties.
Schneider Electric: Thorsman series clear and black cable ties.

Order notes

The sales unit is piece. The 100-piece and 1000-piece wording in Konsan product names indicates the pack contents; Schneider Electric ties are ordered in multiples of 100. For other products, check the pack or box quantity on the product page. Schneider Electric ties are listed as made to order; the delivery time is confirmed at the time of order. You can find the tie you need by typing the manufacturer code, for example GT 200 ST or KCT-300 I.

Cable Tie Types and Size Comparison Table

Cable Tie Type / Size	Width × Length	Material and Environmental Rating	Typical Application	Category Link
Light-Duty Panel Cable Tie	2.5 × 100 mm – 2.5 × 200 mm	Polyamide 6.6 (PA66) · Natural / Black	In-panel control harnesses and low-current wire bundling	2.5 mm Cable Ties
Medium-Duty Installation Cable Tie	3.6 × 150 mm – 4.8 × 300 mm	PA66 · UV-stabilized black outdoor option	Cable trays, machine frames and general installation fastening	4.8 mm Cable Ties
Heavy-Duty Power Cable Tie	7.6 × 300 mm – 9.0 × 500+ mm	High tensile strength PA66 / UV resistant	Heavy power cables, vertical risers and outdoor conduit fixing	7.6 mm Cable Ties
Stainless Steel Cable Tie	4.6 mm – 7.9 mm steel band	AISI 304 / 316 stainless steel · Fire/chemical	High temperature, marine, tunnel, solar PV and corrosive zones	Cable Ties

Frequently asked questions

What does 200x4.8 mm mean on a cable tie?

The first number gives the length of the tie and the second its width, in millimeters. The length determines the bundle diameter it can wrap; as the width increases, the opening strength increases. According to the recorded values in this category, a tie 200 mm long wraps a bundle up to a diameter of about 50 mm, while the opening strength of a nylon tie 4.8 mm wide is given as 22 kg.

Are all black cable ties UV resistant?

No. In the catalog, standard black cable ties and ultraviolet cable ties are listed as separate product types. For roof, pole and field runs exposed to sun, choose the model whose product type says ultraviolet; for Gwest products, the codes of these models end in UV. If continuous sun and high temperature occur together, stainless steel ties are also considered.

What is opening strength, and what does the kg value show?

Opening strength is the tensile force a locked tie loop withstands without breaking or its lock slipping; in the IEC 62275 standard it is called loop tensile strength. For the nylon ties here the value varies with width: 8 kg at 2.5 mm width, 22 kg at 4.8 mm and 80 kg at 9 mm are recorded. On vertical and vibrating runs, the number and spacing of ties are determined according to the project and manufacturer data.

When is a stainless steel cable tie preferred?

Stainless steel ties are used on surfaces that exceed the temperature range of a nylon tie, on outdoor runs in continuous sun, and in environments with chemical exposure. The stainless ties in this category are 4.6 mm and 7.9 mm wide; models with a recorded material are 304 grade steel. Polyester or PVC-coated types are chosen to prevent galvanic corrosion where the tie contacts a different metal, such as a galvanized tray.

Can a cable tie be removed and reused?

A standard cable tie is designed for single use; the locking teeth let the strap move only in the tightening direction, and the tie is removed by cutting it. For frequently changed wiring and temporary bundling, a releasable cable tie, opened by pressing the locking latch, is used. The releasable models in this category are 7.6 mm wide, and their opening strength is recorded as 36 kg.