The Perfect Cable Tie for Solar Applications | Panduit Nylon 612

Nylon 612 Cable Ties are Perfect for Solar APPLICATIONS

Panduit manufacture an extensive range of industry approved cable ties with styles, sizes and materials including stainless steel to meet a full range of electrical, industrial, and networking applications. Nylon 612 cable ties are manufactured by Panduit are trusted to bundle, support, fasten and manage data, telecoms, control, instrumentation and power LV MV HV cables in industrial and hazardous area industries including oil/gas, petrochemical, rail, renewable, construction and mining/quarrying industries.

The typical 100 MW solar project uses over one million cable ties to manage miles of PV wire at every stage of the DC distribution system. Typical plastic ties are not expected to last the entire 25+ year operating life of a solar power plant. When they fail, you pay for a new tie in addition to the labor for installation, and those costs add up quickly. But some nylon blends do a whole lot better in this tough application than others, so proper tie selection can help maximize long-term reliability and ROI .

The tie degraded and failed after 3000 hours of UV exposure in the lab.

Why Nylon 612 is the Perfect Material for Solar Cable Ties

Material selection is paramount whenever cable ties are exposed to the outdoors. One of the most advanced formulations for such applications is that of Nylon 612, offering unrivaled durability and resistance to UV and chemical attack. Among other nylon variants such as 6.6 and 12, Nylon 612 has emerged as the ideal choice for solar cable management.

Improvement of UV Resistance in Cable Ties

One of the major challenges for cable ties to be used outdoors is from the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Materials engineers improve UV resistance through the addition of additives that block, absorb, or stabilize against UV radiation. For example, a typical outdoor-rated Nylon 6.6 features carbon black, which blocks UV radiation and greatly lengthens the material‘s life in the sun. These ties will also fail over time in direct sun exposure even with carbon black.

On the other hand, Nylon 612 offers up to 10 times more UV resistance compared to the standard black Nylon 6.6 ties. This increased resistance ensures long-term performance in solar installations and makes it an excellent material for projects requiring durable, low-maintenance cable management solutions.

Resisting Environmental and Chemical Stress

Beyond UV exposure, outdoor environments introduce other stressors that can degrade plastics. Atmospheric moisture from rain, fog, and marine environments can vary in pH levels and introduce high salt concentrations. In cases where moisture interacts with coated metals, weak concentrations of zinc chloride may also appear, posing a challenge for standard nylon materials.

Although nylon is naturally resistant to many chemicals, harsh outdoor conditions can push its limits. It is here that Nylon 612 excels. Having a chemical resistance profile similar to the premium Nylon 12, Nylon 612 resists degradation from acids, alkalis, and salts. The table below highlights its superior performance:

Nylon chemical resistance comparison

20-Year Outdoor Lifetime with Warranty

Panduit Nylon 612 cable ties represent the best in class, with up to a 20-plus year outdoor life expectancy. Such ties are supported by a 20-Year Build Solar Better Warranty for assurance to solar installers. Reliability of a “fit-and-forget“ nature reduces long-term maintenance costs and improves overall return on investment.

Alternatives to Nylon Cable Ties

While Nylon 612 is a great material for solar cable ties, some engineers prefer to specify alternatives for certain projects. Stainless steel ties, like Panduit‘s Stronghold Stainless Steel Ties, boast unparalleled durability and can often last the life of a solar project. For flexible installations, Solar Wire Hangers may also be a practical solution.

Should you require customer service, specification support or a competitive quotation please do not hesitate to contact us – extensive range of Cable Accessories, Protection & Management products available for LV MV HV Electrical Infrastructure projects in commercial, industrial and hazardous area sectors.

Wiring Duct | Cable Terminals | Absence of Voltage Testing | Cable Cleats | Cable Identification | Cable Ties | Abrasion Protection & Heat Shrink | LV HV Cable Accessories | Lockout Tagout | Stainless Steel Cable Ties & Identification | Panel Systems | Grounding Connectors | Contact us for Further Information