RailPro User Group

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Tom on July 29, 2018, 11:13:54 AM

Title: UNDER LAYOUT WIRE BUNDLING
Post by: Tom on July 29, 2018, 11:13:54 AM

A while back I saw a large layout with well-organized and very neat wiring underneath.  They used a round plastic cable bundling device, maybe about the size of a little finger curled up, with a slightly flat surface on the back side with a small screw hole in it.  The front ring like part could be opened and then shut with a catch built into the thing so wires could be run through it (them).  It could be opened up and then closed again for added wires.

Does anyone know what these are called and/or where they can be found?

Tom

Title: Re: UNDER LAYOUT WIRE BUNDLING
Post by: Alan on July 29, 2018, 11:25:59 AM

What you describe is commonly called a snap lock cable clamp.



They also come in adjustable variants: https://www.heyco.com/Nylon_PVC_Hardware/product.cfm?product=Locking-Wire-Clips&section=Nylon_PVC_Hardware (https://www.heyco.com/Nylon_PVC_Hardware/product.cfm?product=Locking-Wire-Clips&section=Nylon_PVC_Hardware) (about halfway down the page)

Electronics suppliers would be a good place to start your shopping.

http://www.alliedelec.com/ (http://www.alliedelec.com/)
https://www.arrow.com/ (https://www.arrow.com/)
http://www.digikey.com (http://www.digikey.com)
http://www.mouser.com/ (http://www.mouser.com/)
http://www.newark.com (http://www.newark.com)
http://www.onlinecomponents.com (http://www.onlinecomponents.com)
https://www.verical.com (https://www.verical.com)
http://www.elecdirect.com/ (http://www.elecdirect.com/)

Title: Re: UNDER LAYOUT WIRE BUNDLING
Post by: Dean on July 30, 2018, 07:14:58 AM

I found these on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075XJ15BC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075XJ15BC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Title: Re: UNDER LAYOUT WIRE BUNDLING
Post by: MtRR75 on July 30, 2018, 08:01:29 AM

Quote from: Dean on July 30, 2018, 07:14:58 AM

I found these on Amazon.  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075XJ15BC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075XJ15BC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

I have not used these types of wire bundle holders, but now that I now about them, I plan to.  However, I will go with the screw-attached bundle holders.  My experience with adhesive-held items is that eventually the adhesive dries out and fails -- especially in the Southern heat and humidity that I live in.

Title: Re: UNDER LAYOUT WIRE BUNDLING
Post by: Alan on July 30, 2018, 08:29:58 AM

You could drill a hole in the base of the adhesive mount clamps to turn them into screw mount.

I too prefer conventional wire clamps. It is no trouble to remove the screw, insert more wires, and then reinsert the screw. Plus, they are much less expensive and are available in a wider variety of sizes. A #6 x 1/2" pan head sheet metal screw and #6 flat works well to attach them to wood.