What is an NFC Cable Tie?
A Near Field Communication (NFC) cable tie is a cable fastening device with an embedded NFC tag used for secure attachment and short-range identification of physical assets. NFC cable ties combine traditional cable tie functionality with NFC technology, providing mechanical attachment and proximity-based data access within a 1–4 cm range. The product consists of an ultrasonic-welded acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) housing that contains the NFC chip and antenna, combined with either a nylon cable tie or a stainless steel wire rope cable. Compared to UHF RFID cable ties, NFC cable ties have a shorter read range, support only single-tag reading, and are better suited for close-proximity interaction.
NFC cable ties are used for asset tagging, tamper-evident sealing, and equipment tracking in logistics, utilities, IT, and industrial environments. They serve as proxies for asset identity, operational status, and maintenance records in environments that favor intentional scanning over bulk reading.
How to Choose an NFC Cable Tie
- Tag and Tie Construction: Choose ABS housing with nylon ties for standard applications or stainless steel wire rope for enhanced cut resistance and tamper evidence. Low-profile PA66 nylon heads provide compact solutions for space-constrained installations.
- Form Factor and Housing Size: Rectangular and flag-style housings offer better visibility and marking space with sizes from 36x23 mm to 92x28 mm. Circular and low-profile 8 mm diameter options suit tight-space applications.
- Availability: Made-to-order products with 2-3 week lead times and volume-based pricing with setup fees included. Limited standard configurations may be available depending on current shell stock and order specifications.
- NFC Chip Type: NTAG213 is standard for ID applications. NTAG216 offers more memory for maintenance data. ICODE SLIX2 supports ISO 15693 systems and slightly longer read ranges.
Customizing an NFC Cable Tie
- Laser Marking: ABS housings can be engraved with barcodes, serial numbers, or text.
- Shell Color: Standard colors include red, yellow, green, blue, white, and black. Custom colors available with minimum order quantities (MOQs) and longer lead times.
- Cable Length: Standard length is 280 mm; longer lengths can be made to order.
- Encoding: NFC tags can be pre-encoded by GoToTags or encoded later using the GoToTags Desktop App and an NFC reader.
Recommendations
- Most customers use rectangular flag-style housings; choose low-profile heads only when space is limited.
- Use stainless steel cable ties for tamper resistance or high-stress environments.
- Do not use NFC cable ties for multi-tag reads—use UHF RFID cable ties instead.
