Wire and cable clips are used to bundle, clip, guide, and protect wires and cables. There are many different types of products. Examples include wire clips and cable clips, wire staples and cable staples, wire saddles and cable saddles, and wire wraps and cable wraps. Materials of construction and approvals or certifications are other important specifications to consider when selecting wire and cable accessories. Cloth, nylon, polyester, metalized polyester, steel, and vinyl are some of the most common materials used in wire and cable clips and staples. For questions about specific applications, consult the manufacturer. Some products are designed for use with fiber optic cables. Others are designed for use with printed circuit boards (PCBs).

Styles Available

Wire and cable clips are available in different styles. For example, wire clips and cable clips may use adhesive-mounting or push-mounting. Nail style clips mount with a nail. C-style clips, J-style clips, and U-style clips resemble the letters “C”, “J”, and “U”, respectively. Wire staples and cable staples also differ in terms of type. Choices include cut point staples, dike staples, oval tip staples, and diamond point staples. Wire saddles come in various sizes and designs. Wire wraps and cable wraps bundle wires or cables in a way that is both flexible and firm. Wire and cable clips and staples that use other mounting methods or come in other designs are also available.

Approvals and Certifications

Wire and cable clips differ in terms of approvals and certifications. Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is a European Union (EU) directive that requires all manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment sold in Europe to demonstrate that their products contain only minimal levels of the following hazardous substances: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and polybrominated biphenyl and polybrominated diphenyl ether. The UL Mark denotes that Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has found that samples of wire and cable clips and staples met UL's safety requirements. These requirements are based primarily on UL's published Standards for Safety.