What is a UHF RFID Cable Tie?
An Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) cable tie is a cable fastening device with an embedded UHF RFID tag. UHF RFID cable ties combine the physical functionality of a traditional cable tie with the data-capturing and tracking capabilities of UHF RFID technology. Materials include nylon, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), silicone, and stainless steel, with various closure styles for permanent or removable use. Unlike UHF RFID tokens, which require separate mounting hardware or rely on adhesive, UHF RFID cable ties are mechanically affixed through a locking mechanism and do not require a flat surface, providing more flexibility for attachment to various objects.
UHF RFID cable ties are used for asset tracking, inventory management, equipment tagging, cable management, and tamper-evident sealing across industrial, logistics, and infrastructure applications requiring durable attachment and remote identification. In these scenarios, the UHF RFID cable tie serves as a proxy for asset identity, operational status, handling and maintenance history, and chain of custody documentation.
How to Choose a UHF RFID Cable Tie
- Tag and Tie Construction: Choose between plastic tie and tag, stainless steel cable with molded housing, silicone loop, or wristband-style tags based on environment and attachment needs. Standard nylon construction suits most applications, while stainless steel cables provide enhanced cut resistance for high-security environments. Silicone UHF RFID laundry tags offer removable, water-resistant options for specialized uses.
- Attachment Type and Reusability: Most are single-use and tamper-evident; removable styles include silicone loops and reversible zip ties. Permanent tamper-evident ties prevent unauthorized removal and provide security, while removable styles allow reuse across multiple applications. Choose based on whether long-term attachment or repeat use is required.
- Availability: Available as special orders using standard colors and configurations, or custom orders with laser engraving and non-stock colors requiring higher minimum quantities and longer lead times. Pricing includes setup fees and decreases with volume.
- UHF RFID Chip Type: Impinj Monza chips offer maximum read range and reliability, while NXP UCODE chips provide cost-effective performance. Use Impinj Monza R6 for high-speed encoding; choose UCODE 8 chips or similar when extended user memory or serialization is required. Memory capacity and encoding speed vary between chip families.
Customizing a UHF RFID Cable Tie
- Laser Marking: Text, serial numbers, and barcodes can be permanently engraved onto the UHF RFID tag surface for visual identification and compliance, available through custom order options.
- Shell Color: Standard colors include yellow, green, blue, and red, depending on product type. Custom colors require higher minimum order quantities and extended lead times.
- Customer-Side Labeling: Writeable surfaces and adhesive label areas allow field marking.
- Encoding: GoToTags can pre-encode UHF RFID tags with Electronic Product Code (EPC) and user memory data, or customers can program them using the GoToTags Desktop App with compatible UHF RFID readers.
Recommendations
- Most customers use permanent UHF RFID cable ties for tamper-evident security; use removable styles only when reuse is required.
- Do not use standard nylon UHF RFID cable ties in prolonged outdoor exposure unless UV-resistant materials are specified.
- Choose stainless steel UHF RFID cable ties for environments requiring high tensile strength, cut resistance, or resistance to extreme temperatures.
- Select UV-resistant or ingress protection (IP) rated models for exposure to sunlight, chemicals, or moisture, particularly in outdoor use or harsh industrial environments.
