Essential Applications: Wireless Infrastructure Equipment
February 25.2021 | Essential Applications
When choosing your equipment hanging method for wireless infrastructure projects, think of BAND-IT for your mounting solutions. Our band and buckle systems have been used for years in pole mounting applications for traditional telecom, signage, and municipal applications. But with so many options how do customers choose the right band for their application? And what is the advantage of single vs double wrap?
Testing Band Performance for Wireless Infrastructure Applications
To quantify the performance of BAND-IT band and buckle systems for mounting equipment on 5G cellular monopole, tower, and utility applications the BAND-IT in-house engineering team tested out the two most common band/buckle solutions for this application: roll band with an Ear-Lokt buckle and the Ultra-Lok band and buckle system. Band widths of 1/2”, 5/8” and 3/4” made of 201 stainless steel were tested for comparison.
The test procedure: An 8” split mandrel was used to measure the compressive force applied during the clamp installation process. An Instron load frame was used to measure the applied and displacement force. For each test, Max clamping force, retained force, loop yield point, and loop tensile force were measured.
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Max clamping force: Peak compressive force applied during the clamp installation |
 |
Retained force: Compressive force remaining after completing the lock of the buckle. |
| Loop Yield Point: The force at which the Load-displacement curve visually goes non-linear indicating material yield. | |
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Loop tensile force: Force to pull a band apart at a set rate of one inch per minute. The loop tensile force is the maximum force measured using a split mandrel. The clamp is applied with the buckle located 45 degrees from the split. |
For a detailed look at the various force types read The Force is Strong…With These Clamps
Test 1: Roll Band and Ear-Lokt Buckle
(1/2”, 5/8”, and 3/4”) 201Stainless Steel
|
Clamp (single wrap) |
Max Clamp Force |
Retained Force |
Loop Yield Point |
Loop Tensile Force |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1/2” Ear-Lokt Single Wrap |
1,517 lbf |
180 lbf |
936 lbf |
2,366 lbf |
|
5/8” Ear-Lokt Single Wrap |
1,800 lbf |
186 lbf |
989 lbf |
2,789 lbf |
|
3/4” Ear-Lokt Single Wrap |
2,082 lbf |
193 lbf |
1,041 lbf |
2,967 lbf |
|
Clamp (double wrap) |
Max Clamp Force |
Retained Force |
Loop Yield Point |
Loop Tensile Force |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1/2” Ear-Lokt Double Wrap |
2,505 lbf |
779 lbf |
2,462 lbf |
5,067 lbf |
|
5/8” Ear-Lokt Double Wrap |
2,941 lbf |
1,027 lbf |
3,215 lbf |
6,151 lbf |
|
3/4” Ear-Lokt Double Wrap |
3,377 lbf |
1,275 lbf |
3,968 lbf |
7,067 lbf |
The tables above highlight a couple of key conclusions:
- Single wrap clamps maintain less than 25% of max clamp force or retained force
- Double wrap clamps maintain between 35% and 50% of max clamp force or retained force
- The retained force is 4x higher by adding a second wrap to the installation
Test 2: Ultra-Lok Banding System:
The same test was also performed with the Ultra-Lok clamping system. This system uses a unique buckle design and battery powered tool to improve the clamping performance. The data for the 1/2” and 3/4” 201 stainless steel band is listed below for both single and double wrap.
|
Clamp (single wrap) |
Max Clamp Force |
Retained Force |
Loop Yield Point |
Loop Tensile Force |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
½” UL Single Wrap |
1,868 lbf |
467 lbf |
1,561 lbf |
2,464 lbf |
|
¾” UL Single Wrap |
2,204 lbf |
576 lbf |
1,953 lbf |
2,866 lbf |
|
Clamp (double wrap) |
Max Clamp Force |
Retained Force |
Loop Yield Point |
Loop Tensile Force |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
½” UL Double Wrap |
2,222 lbf |
1,113 lbf |
2,994 lbf |
5,945 lbf |
|
¾” UL Double Wrap |
2,937 lbf |
1,403 lbf |
4,788 lbf |
8,191 lbf |
The tables above highlight a couple of key conclusion:
- Ultra-Lok clamps are 3x as strong as the Ear-Lokt system
- Double wrap Ultra-Lok clamps can be used in the harshest and heaviest applications
- Retained force for double wrap clamps are 2x as strong providing greater peace of mind.
Conclusion
Whether you are mounting large equipment boxes to communications towers or components to a 5G monopole, BAND-IT has a fastening solution that is safe and withstands the harshest environments. We have been providing essential solutions to industrial pole mounting projects for over 60 years and unmatched quality of engineered fastening systems since 1937.
If you are interested in learning more about BAND-IT solutions in the wireless infrastructure space, please visit the Wireless Infrastructure Solutions page or Contact Us.