Any special kind of knot or string to use? Thanks for the info!
Is there a serious risk associated with the possibility of nylon zip ties chaffing through wire insulation if I use them for wire bundling?
Any special kind of knot or string to use? Thanks for the info!
For bundling most wires, zip ties will work just fine. I prefer using lacing cord (aft of the firewall) because it is the material of choice used on virtually all the military aircraft I once helped build. Once you get the hang of tieing the knot, (clove hitch/square knot) it is a really quick and simple way to secure wire bundles and with no sharp tabs to cut your arm on later. The only tool required is scissors or pocket knife. I can't count the number of times I've cut away knots to add or subtract wires to a given bundle. You can quickly change the number or alter knot spacing on the slightest of a whims. Certainly all this can all be done with nylon zip ties but to me it comes down to what I perceive as a cosmetic issue. Lacing cord with its signature "pigtail" sprouting from the center of the knot just seems more "military" to me....... I will still hand tie all my wire bundles in my RV, just in case.
Here's a wiring nightmare in the A380 test plane (this obviously won't remain once the normal interior is put in:
This picture is shot looking left into a cargo door near the nose gear, lots of zip ties.
Table 11-22 give the appropriate Mil-Spec - MS3367 -- and, amazingly enough, this is one instance where the Aviation Dept. of Ace Hardware actually sells aviation approved items....
I was told by 2 seperate A&P's, and an FAA inspector to make sure that there is a piece of tape around the engine mount tubes at every zip tie location if you decide to secure your wiring that way. I prefer the adel route, but a narrow band of that awesome Gorilla tape under the tie will certainly protect the tube, and it gives the bundle a stabilizing grip as well.
For bundling most wires, zip ties will work just fine. I prefer using lacing cord (aft of the firewall) because it is the material of choice used on virtually all the military aircraft I once helped build. Once you get the hang of tieing the knot, (clove hitch/square knot) it is a really quick and simple way to secure wire bundles and with no sharp tabs to cut your arm on later. The only tool required is scissors or pocket knife. I can't count the number of times I've cut away knots to add or subtract wires to a given bundle. You can quickly change the number or alter knot spacing on the slightest of a whims. Certainly all this can all be done with nylon zip ties but to me it comes down to what I perceive as a cosmetic issue. Lacing cord with its signature "pigtail" sprouting from the center of the knot just seems more "military" to me.