How to Bundle Your Cable Harness Assemblies

Keeping cabling organized isn’t just about aesthetics or keeping things neat. There are a lot of reasons to bundle your cabling into cable harness assemblies including reducing interference, enhancing durability and protection, improved traceability, and ease of maintenance down the road. Whatever your reasons for wanting to properly terminate and bundle your cable harness assemblies, we can help. Our team of product experts have put together their top pick for the best cable tie and tape options to use, how to use them and when to use one over the others.

Lacing Tape

Lacing tape is a type of specialty cord often used for bundling cables. It can be made from a variety of different materials and is often used in aerospace, aviation, and military applications. Installation requires a bit more time and skill than cable ties or zip tie alternatives like velcro but it offers several advantages including enhanced durability, aesthetics, and it’s an environmentally friendly choice because it can often be reused. It’s also a great choice for very large cable assemblies that would be too large to be secured by heat shrink tubing or other methods.

To bundle your assembly with lacing tape follow these instructions:

Step 1: Review current layout and determine if it needs to be rerouted and organized prior to securing.

Step 2: Choose a lacing technique and begin with a locking stitch at the start, then wrap your cables with your preferred technique, using spot ties to keep the lacing tape secured and your cable harness assembly secure.

Step 3: Secure the end with a finishing lock knot.

This method takes some practice to get used to but once you have the hang of it, many find it’s as quick and easy as the alternatives.

Silicone Tape

Self-fusing silicone tape is a type of tape that can be used in a variety of cable harness assembly applications. Silicone tape can be used for sealing, connecting and finishing the cut ends of braided sleeving. It provides a waterproof seal at vulnerable branch points.This product is extremely easy to use and doesn’t require any specialty tools making it a great choice for smaller jobs.

To bundle your assembly with silicone tape, follow these instructions:

Step 1: Identify the areas you want to tape including any endpoints, branch points or other risk zones that require additional protection.

Step 2: Cut a piece of self fusing tape based on the elongation at break percentage written in the product spec sheet. Some go from 15% elongation at break up to 500%, the higher the percentage of break, the less tape you’ll need to use.

Step 3: Continue with the process until you have all previously identified areas taped.

Cable Ties

Cable ties, also known as zip ties, are one of the most common fastening methods used for bundling cable harness assemblies. They are a top choice because they are very inexpensive and easy to install. These products do a good job of securing cable bundles but they do have some drawbacks to consider. Zip ties should only be used for assemblies that you have no plans to change because removing cable ties comes with the risk of damaging the wires when cut.

Step 1: Identify the areas you want to bundle.

Step 2: Secure cable tie around the bundle and thread the pointed end through the square end. Plug snug but be careful not to pull too tight as it can damage the insulation on your cabling.

Step 3: Use cable tie snips to trim the excess zip tie material for a clean assembly.

We’ve got you covered

Whatever cable tie or zip tie alternative options you choose for your project, you’ll find high quality products from industry-leading manufacturers like Federal Mogul and Techflex at Titan Electronics. Shop our cable management solutions now including cable ties, velcro fasteners, velcro tape, silicone tape, ID cable ties, lacing tape, and more.