Zip ties in the engine compartment?

[PeterNSteinmetz]

One often sees zip toes being used in the engine compartment to hold items like cables and wires to the engine mounts for routing purposes. But I understand this is not approved?

why is this such a bad practice? And what are the preferred alternatives for holding things like wires?

 

[rotorwrench]

But I understand this is not approved?

why is this such a bad practice?

Its not an "approval" issue. Instead its more related to the damage that can be done when plastic cable ties/straps are used improperly. For example, certain types of these straps can fail due to age or heat allowing the wires to contact items or wear. Or worse, in some conditions a plastic cable strap can even physically cut through a 4130 engine mount tube or even a stainless steel hydraulic line due to dirt/liquids getting between the strap and tube which acts as a cutting/lapping compound and "grinds" away the thin tube material.

And what are the preferred alternatives for holding things like wires?

Actually the use of Adel clamps and lacing cord is the primary method to secure wires with the plastic becoming the alternate means. But all is not lost. AC43.13.1B provides guidance to use plastic ties in some instances and a number of OEMs use various specifically designed plastic straps on aircraft/engines to include their use on turbine/jet engines.

 

[Ron Wanttaja]

Guy in the next hangar is an airline A&P. He was like the aliens in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" when he saw zip-ties on the engine side of the firewall....

Ron Wanttaja