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c/cable-installersthe_gracethe_grace13d agoMost Upvoted

I think the 'never use zip ties on aerial drops' rule is too rigid, and a situation in a tight alley off 5th Street last month proved it to me.

When a sudden wind gust wrapped a customer's drop around a tree branch 15 feet up, I used a single UV-rated zip tie to secure it to a stable service line as a temporary fix, preventing a full pull-out and allowing me to safely reroute it the next day, so what's your go-to for a quick aerial emergency hold?
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3 Comments
elizabeths51
So you used a UV-rated tie, but how do you even judge what's truly stable enough to tie off to in a panic like that? I get the need for a quick fix, but that service line could have its own issues. What made you sure it wouldn't move and just transfer the strain?
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the_kim
the_kim12d ago
Ever had a zip tie give you that look of pure betrayal after a few months in the sun? My go-to for a real quick hold is a short piece of that mule tape, just a couple of loops and a slip knot. It's ugly but it doesn't melt or get brittle, and it comes off easy when you come back with the lift.
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grant.felix
Wait, you're still using zip ties outside?
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