To tie wrap or not to tie wrap. That is the question

[casperLennon]

I’m doing a 48way three phase board at work with 34 circuits. How to keep it tidy without tie wraps? Or is tie wraps the way to go

 

[James]

I’m doing a 48way three phase board at work with 34 circuits. How to keep it tidy without tie wraps? Or is tie wraps the way to go

big boards like that, the only choices you have for a really neat job without spending days on it, tie wraps or if its big enough you can screw some slotted trunking down each side.

 

[casperLennon]

I really wanted to do it without tie wraps but I’m gonna have to give in and use them I think.

 

[Charlie_]

Are all the cables coming in top entry?
Start with the largest cables at the bottom and then cascade down to the smallest at the top..
Avoid RCBOs with functional earths, better still go for one of the new Schneider boards

 

[casperLennon]

All top entry into trunking. All 6mm swa.

 

[Bobster]

Use tie wraps to form the wiring into place.

Remove when all testing is done, as long as you ran them in neat, they shouldn't move too much.

Pet peeve of mine is cable ties where they aren't needed. An if I find people tying cables together in trunking. Heads will role. Nothing worst than having to pull out a cable in trunking an finding its tied to all the others.

 

[Bobster]

All top entry into trunking. All 6mm swa.

At that size, you shouldn't need ties, they will be rigid enough without them.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I cable tie then cut them off.

 

[Jon Bateson]

Yeah tie up , terminate, then remove. Sparky ninja did an interesting video on grouping and enclosure derating.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Use tie wraps to form the wiring into place.

Remove when all testing is done, as long as you ran them in neat, they shouldn't move too much.

Pet peeve of mine is cable ties where they aren't needed. An if I find people tying cables together in trunking. Heads will role. Nothing worst than having to pull out a cable in trunking an finding its tied to all the others.

The old school sparks I have worked with would have lobbed their hammer at you if they saw you putting ties around cables in trunking

 

[Charlie_]

What make of board?
Sounds like a nice easy job

 

[James]

The old school sparks I have worked with would have lobbed their hammer at you if they saw you putting ties around cables in trunking

I have a similar amount of anger directed at whoever tapes up bunches of cables before pulling them down conduit.

makes it almost impossible to pull an extra one down after

 

[casperLennon]

It’s a Schneider. It is a nice easy job. I think I’ll tie them then cut them off when finished

 

[Charlie_]

Is it the new Schneider board?
I’ve just booked a few out for a job that I need to do..
Fancy posting some pics up when you’re done?

 

[casperLennon]

Not sure if it’s the new one. It was already mounted but yes I’ll post some pictures when it’s finished

 

[littlespark]

Not sure if it’s the new one. It was already mounted but yes I’ll post some pictures when it’s finished

Well be prepared to have you work criticised and critiqued by all.

 

[casperLennon]

I’m looking forward to it already

 

[Yozza19]

You can’t beat metal trunk in down the sides and across the top

 

[Toneyz]

I cable tie then cut them off.

I think that is the best way Lee it keeps them in a neat desirable place until complete.

 

[davesparks]

Pet peeve of mine is cable ties where they aren't needed. An if I find people tying cables together in trunking. Heads will role. Nothing worst than having to pull out a cable in trunking an finding its tied to all the others.

At one of the theatres I work for every circuit has been individually cable tied together in the trunking every couple of metres using the cable ties that incorporate a label where the circuit number has been written.
So it is very easy to find the relevant singles in the trunking when making alterations, and not too bad to pull them out if you are moving the whole circuit. But trying to alter a lighting circuit is a nightmare, you pull the s/l and the strappers, perm live, neutral and earth all come with it.