What Is a Screw Cable Clip? Types and Selection Criteria
A screw cable clip is a plastic fastening element fixed to a surface with a screw through its body, holding a cable or cable bundle in place.
A screw cable clip is a plastic fastening element fixed to a surface with a screw through the hole in its body, holding a cable or cable bundle in place. It is used on surfaces that hold screws, such as enclosure sheet metal, machine housings and wood, and with an anchor on concrete, to fix cable routes permanently yet removably when needed.
Types of screw cable clips
| Type | How it holds the cable | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Screw clip | The cable sits in the clip's seat, the clip is screwed to the surface | A single cable or small bundle, surface-mounted and in-panel runs |
| Bridge-type screw clip | The bundle is secured with a cable tie passed through the clip | Cable bundles whose diameter may change |
| Cable clamp | A loop wraps the cable or bundle and is screwed through the hole in the tab | Machine housings, vibrating runs, bundle fixing |
Selection criteria
- Cable or bundle diameter: The seat must take the cable without crushing it and without leaving play. The 15x10 and 23x16 values in the KSN model names are dimensions in millimeters; check on the product page which one belongs to the cable seat. The 1/4 and 3/8 in the Gwest GCL clamp names are inch sizes (about 6.4 and 9.5 mm); confirm the bundle diameter they hold against the dimensions on the product page.
- Screw hole: The screw should fit the hole without play, its head must not pass through the hole and it must not press on the cable. For Gwest products, the hole size is given in the product data.
- Surface: Use a screw directly in wood and sheet metal, and an anchor in concrete and brick. For quick mounting without drilling, choose concrete nail clips; for surfaces that must not be drilled, adhesive clips.
- Environment: For outdoor runs exposed to sunlight, check the UV resistance of the plastic in the product information; color alone does not indicate UV resistance.
- Pack: The KSN models come in packs of 100; check the sales unit on the product page when ordering.
Common mistakes
- Overtightening the screw: The plastic body cracks and the cable sheath is crushed.
- Forcing the cable into a narrow seat: The sheath gets damaged; choose the next size up.
- Choosing a clamp larger than the bundle: The bundle slips and the sheath wears under vibration.
- Spacing the clips too far apart: The cable sags between two clips; space them more closely according to the cable's diameter and weight.
Screw cable clips in the catalog
The Screw Clips category has 8 active products:
| Brand | Model | Color and SKU |
|---|---|---|
| KSN | 15x10 screw clip, pack of 100 | white `KSN2038`, black `KSN2131` |
| KSN | 23x16 screw clip, pack of 100 | white `KSN2039`, black `KSN2132` |
| Gwest | VK V-1 and VK V-2 screw clip | white `1511`, `1512` |
| Gwest | GCL 1/4 and GCL 3/8 cable clamp | white `1523`, `1524` |
For fixing to concrete without drilling, see Concrete Nail Clips; for surfaces that must not be drilled, see Adhesive Clips; all types are in the Cable Clips category.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a screw clip and a concrete nail clip?
A concrete nail clip is hammered in with the nail in its body and is hard to remove. A screw clip is fixed with a screw; it is used on wood, sheet metal and, with an anchor, on concrete, and can be removed when needed.
How is a screw clip fixed to concrete?
Drill a hole, insert an anchor and screw the clip into the anchor. Choose the anchor diameter to suit the screw and the clip's screw hole.
What is the difference between a cable clamp and a screw clip?
A clamp wraps the cable or bundle with a loop and holds the bundle more tightly in places with vibration. In a screw clip, the cable sits in the seat or is secured with a cable tie.
Can a screw clip be reused?
Once the screw is removed, the clip can be taken off. If the body has not cracked and the seat is not deformed, it can be fitted again.