After reading the April 1995 "Installer Tips" column submitted by Robert Poore, I was compelled to write concerning his suggestions to alleviate sharp edges on cable ties.
First, twisting the cable tie until it snaps off is not a good suggestion because you will have a less structurally sound ty-wrap that could, in fact, break very easily after all that twisting. Second, a less-experienced technician working with Category 5 cable might tighten the ty-wrap too tightly, which could affect the integrity of the cable.
And Robert Voss, product manager at Panduit Corp. (Tinley Park, IL) writes:
Vigorous twisting could actually cause a tie to release, and jagged edges could occur in many cases, especially when the cable ties are dried out.
Charlie Tucker, senior technical support supervisor at Telenex Corp. (Mt. Laurel, NJ) also comments:
If you stick the nose of the tool into the port where the cable tie protrudes and twist it, you can actually break the head off the cable tie and pull the tooth out of it.
Both Gombar and Tucker suggest the use of flush-cutters or a ty-wrap installing tool. This would make a neat job, apply a constant amount of tension for all cuts and stop trips to the emergency room.
