Flexroute® Safety, Installation & Use Information
This page provides important information for the selection, installation and use of Flexroute® TPV rubber cable clamps. Read the applicable guidance before installation and follow all equipment-manufacturer requirements, applicable codes and regulations for the underlying system.
Flexroute® is a general-purpose routing clamp designed to secure, organize, cushion and help protect cable, hose and tubing across automotive, off-road, recreational vehicle, trailer, marine, machinery, industrial equipment, robotics and similar applications.
1. Product Purpose & Intended Use
Flexroute® is designed to provide a secure, cushioned routing point for cable, hose and tubing. Its flexible clamp design helps reduce pinching, kinking, abrasion, vibration and shock while allowing a range of line diameters to be routed depending on the Flexroute® size selected.
Flexroute® installs using a standard-width cable tie.
Flexroute® may also be used for supplemental routing and protection of lines associated with safety-critical systems, including fuel, brake, hydraulic, pneumatic, coolant, oil and similar systems.
In these applications, Flexroute® must not replace manufacturer-required supports, restraints, retention hardware, fittings or other required system components.
Flexroute® is not intended for lifting, suspension, structural support, load restraint, or use as a repair or reinforcement device for damaged cable, hose or tubing.
Always follow the equipment manufacturer's requirements and all applicable codes and regulations.
2. Installation Guidelines
Flexroute® is designed for quick, simple installation using standard-width cable ties. A Cobra® Low Profile nylon cable tie is supplied with Flexroute® for installation convenience.
Installation on Existing Systems
Flexroute® can be installed around cable, hose and tubing that is already routed and connected. This allows the clamp to be added without disconnecting the line or disassembling the system.
Maintain all manufacturer-required supports, restraints, clearances and retention hardware during installation.
Cable Tie Selection
Flexroute® is not limited to the supplied Cobra® cable tie. Other standard-width cable ties may be used when appropriate for the installation.
When using an alternate cable tie, select one with temperature, environmental and other performance ratings appropriate for the application. A replacement tie does not automatically have the same operating characteristics as the supplied Cobra® tie.
Installation
Position Flexroute® so the cable, hose or tubing is properly routed and supported for the intended application. Secure the clamp using the selected cable tie.
For installations that are part of a vehicle, machine, equipment or other system, maintain all manufacturer-required routing, supports, restraints, clearances, retention hardware and installation requirements.
Flexroute® should not be used as a substitute for required system hardware.
After Installation
After installation:
- Verify that the Flexroute® clamp and cable tie are secure.
- Confirm that neither the clamp nor cable tie was damaged during installation.
- Verify that the routed line remains properly positioned and is not improperly pinched, kinked or stressed.
- Confirm that all required supports, restraints, clearances and retention hardware remain in place.
3. Safety-Critical Systems
Flexroute® may be used for supplemental routing and protection of cable, hose and tubing associated with safety-critical systems, including:
- Fuel systems
- Brake systems
- Hydraulic systems
- Pneumatic systems
- Coolant systems
- Oil systems
- Similar routed systems
In these applications, Flexroute® is intended only to help position, organize, cushion and protect routed lines.
It must not replace manufacturer-required supports, brackets, clips, restraints, retention hardware, fittings, heat shielding or other required system components.
Supplemental Use Only
When installing Flexroute® on a safety-critical system:
- Maintain all manufacturer-required supports, restraints and retention hardware.
- Maintain required routing, clearances and heat shielding.
- Do not use Flexroute® as the sole required support or restraint for the line.
- Do not use Flexroute® to repair or reinforce damaged or otherwise unserviceable cable, hose or tubing.
- Follow the equipment manufacturer's installation and service requirements and all applicable codes and regulations.
Flexroute® does not become part of the pressure-containing, sealing, braking, fuel-delivery, hydraulic, pneumatic or other primary functional system simply because it is used to route or protect a line associated with that system.
Customer or real-world installations shown by Hawken Components demonstrate routing and protection applications only. They should not be interpreted as certification of a particular vehicle, machine or system installation.
4. Electrical Applications
Flexroute® may be used to route, organize, cushion and help protect fully insulated electrical wire and cable.
For electrical applications:
- Use Flexroute® only with wire or cable that has intact electrical insulation.
- Do not install Flexroute® directly on bare or exposed conductors.
- Do not use Flexroute® to repair or compensate for damaged electrical insulation.
- Maintain all equipment-manufacturer routing, support and clearance requirements.
- Follow all applicable electrical codes and regulations.
Flexroute® Is Not Electrical Insulation
Flexroute® is a cable-routing and protection device. It is not intended to provide electrical insulation, shock protection, arc protection or other electrical protective functions.
The finished Flexroute® clamp has not been tested or certified for a voltage rating, dielectric-protection rating or use as electrical protective equipment.
Any electrical insulation or protection required for the conductor or system must be provided by components specifically designed and approved for that purpose.
5. Temperature & High-Heat Applications
When installed with the supplied Cobra® Low Profile L14S0C nylon cable tie, the recommended Flexroute® installation operating range is:
-40°F to 185°F (-40°C to 85°C)
This operating range reflects the complete installation using the supplied nylon cable tie.
The Santoprene® 121-80 TPV used to manufacture the Flexroute® clamp has different material-temperature characteristics, but those material properties should not be interpreted as a higher operating-temperature rating for the complete Flexroute® installation.
Under-Hood & High-Temperature Applications
Flexroute® may be used in under-hood and other elevated-temperature environments when the installation remains within the operating limits of the clamp and cable tie.
Additional care should be taken near concentrated or radiant heat sources such as:
- Exhaust manifolds and exhaust pipes
- Turbochargers
- Catalytic converters
- Heaters and other high-temperature components
- Open flame or other ignition sources
Do not install Flexroute® where direct, radiant or conducted heat could expose the clamp or cable tie beyond the applicable operating limits.
Flexroute® is not a substitute for manufacturer-required heat shielding, insulation, routing clearances or other thermal-protection measures.
Do not establish or reduce a manufacturer-required clearance based solely on the Flexroute® operating-temperature range.
Alternate & Higher-Temperature Cable Ties
If another cable tie is used, verify that its temperature and environmental ratings are appropriate for the installation.
A heat-stabilized or otherwise higher-temperature cable tie may provide greater fastener temperature capability than the supplied nylon tie. However, using a higher-temperature tie does not by itself establish a higher tested or rated operating range for the complete Flexroute® installation.
6. Load & Structural Limitations
Flexroute® is designed for routing, organizing, cushioning and helping protect cable, hose and tubing. It is not intended for load-bearing applications.
Do not use Flexroute® for:
- Lifting or hoisting
- Suspending objects or equipment
- Structural support
- Cargo or load restraint
- Any application where the Flexroute® clamp or cable tie is expected to carry or support a load
A cable tie's tensile-strength rating should not be interpreted as a working-load or load-bearing rating for Flexroute®.
Flexroute® may support the normal positioning and routing of cable, hose and tubing as part of its intended function, but it should not be used as a structural fastener or load-restraint device.
7. Inspection & Replacement
After installation, verify that the Flexroute® clamp and cable tie are secure and were not damaged during installation.
Periodically inspect the complete installation, including both the clamp and cable tie. Replace any component that shows damage, deterioration or loss of secure retention.
No fixed inspection or replacement interval is specified because service conditions vary significantly by application, including temperature, vibration, weather exposure, chemical exposure and the cable tie selected.
When replacing a cable tie, use a standard-width tie with temperature, environmental and other performance ratings appropriate for the application.
Flexroute® clamps do not have a specified service-life replacement interval. Replacement should be based on the condition of the clamp and installation.
8. Line Condition & Damaged Lines
Use Flexroute® only with cable, hose and tubing that is in serviceable condition for the intended application.
Flexroute® is a routing, cushioning and protection device. It is not intended to repair, reinforce, conceal or compensate for damaged or otherwise unserviceable lines.
Before installation:
- Inspect the cable, hose or tubing for visible damage or deterioration.
- Do not use Flexroute® to hold together or reinforce a damaged line.
- Address damaged or unserviceable lines according to the equipment or system manufacturer's repair and replacement requirements.
A line that has been properly repaired and remains approved for service by the applicable equipment or system manufacturer is not automatically excluded from use with Flexroute®.
Do not rely on Flexroute® to restore the structural, electrical, pressure-containing, sealing or other functional integrity of a damaged cable, hose or tubing.
9. Sizing Guide
Select the Flexroute® clamp size based on the outside diameter (O.D.) of the cable, hose or tubing being routed.
Ideal Line O.D. Ranges
| Clamp Size | Ideal Line O.D. Range |
|---|---|
| Small | 4.7–6.2 mm (0.185–0.244 in.) |
| Medium | 7.1–9.1 mm (0.280–0.358 in.) |
| Large | 9.5–12.3 mm (0.374–0.484 in.) |
What “Ideal Range” Means
These ranges represent the preferred fit for straightforward installation.
At the lower end of each range, the routed line fits snugly against the Flexroute® clamp.
At the upper end, the cable tie can normally pass through the clamp channel without needing to be bent or manipulated to fit through the channel.
The published ranges are ideal installation ranges rather than absolute physical fit limits. Actual fit may vary depending on the outside diameter, flexibility, shape and construction of the cable, hose or tubing.
For applications outside the listed ideal range, verify that the selected Flexroute® size securely positions the routed line and allows proper cable-tie installation without forcing or damaging the components.
10. Material & Environmental Properties
Flexroute® clamps are molded from Santoprene® 121-80 thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV).
The material provides:
- UV resistance
- Ozone resistance
- Weathering resistance
- Good chemical resistance
These characteristics make Flexroute® suitable for a wide range of indoor and outdoor routing environments when used within the limitations of the complete installation.
Chemical Exposure
“Good chemical resistance” should not be interpreted as universal compatibility with every chemical, fuel, solvent, cleaner, oil, hydraulic fluid, coolant or other substance.
Chemical compatibility can vary depending on:
- The specific substance
- Concentration
- Exposure temperature
- Length and frequency of exposure
- Mechanical stress
- Installation environment
For applications involving significant or repeated chemical exposure, confirm that the materials used in the complete installation are appropriate for the specific substance and service conditions.
The use of Flexroute® around a hose or tubing carrying a particular fluid does not by itself mean that the Flexroute® clamp is rated for direct or continuous exposure to that fluid.
Material Properties vs. Finished-Product Ratings
Published properties or certifications associated with Santoprene® 121-80 describe the raw material and should not automatically be interpreted as ratings or certifications of the finished Flexroute® clamp.
The finished Flexroute® clamp has not undergone formal laboratory certification or performance testing for:
- UL 94 V-0 flame classification
- Finished-product electrical or dielectric performance
- Structural or load-bearing capacity
- Quantified vibration or shock performance
- Universal chemical compatibility
Use Flexroute® according to the published product specifications and limitations rather than applying unrelated or raw-material-level ratings to the finished clamp.
11. Tips & Tricks
Create a Side-by-Side Multichannel Configuration
Multiple Flexroute® cable clamps can be positioned side-by-side and secured with a single cable tie to create a multichannel routing configuration.
To create this configuration:
- Select the Flexroute® clamps appropriate for the lines being routed.
- Using scissors or suitable cable-tie cutters, cleanly trim only the Flexroute® arm material necessary to allow the clamps to sit side-by-side.
- Position the clamps next to each other on the mounting tube or surface.
- Route a single appropriately rated cable tie through the clamps and around the supporting structure.
- Secure the cable tie and verify that all clamps and routed lines are properly positioned and undamaged.
Modification Guidance
Clean cutting with scissors or suitable cutters is the recommended method for this configuration.
Do not sand, grind, melt, drill or otherwise abrasively machine the Flexroute® material.
Creating a multichannel configuration does not change the product's use limitations. Flexroute® remains a supplemental routing and protection device and is not intended for lifting, suspension, structural support or load restraint.
For safety-critical systems, maintain all manufacturer-required supports, restraints, clearances, retention hardware and other required system components.
12. Important Technical Clarifications
The following clarifications distinguish the performance of the complete Flexroute® installation from specifications or ratings associated with individual materials and cable ties.
Finished-Product Ratings
The finished Flexroute® cable clamp has not undergone formal laboratory testing or certification for:
- UL 94 V-0 flame classification
- Electrical or dielectric protection
- Structural or load-bearing capacity
- Quantified vibration or shock performance
- Universal chemical compatibility
- A higher-temperature finished-product operating range
Do not interpret Flexroute® as certified, listed, rated or tested for these characteristics unless Hawken Components specifically publishes supporting product-level test or certification information.
Santoprene® Material Data
Published technical properties, classifications or test results associated with Santoprene® 121-80 describe the material under the conditions of the applicable material test. They do not automatically become certifications or ratings of the finished Flexroute® clamp or installation.
Cable Tie Ratings
Cable ties are separate fastening components with their own manufacturer specifications and performance ratings.
A cable tie's tensile strength, temperature range, outdoor suitability, material specification or certification status applies to that cable tie and should not be interpreted as a corresponding Flexroute® rating.
In particular, cable-tie tensile strength is not a load-bearing, lifting, suspension, structural-support or load-restraint rating for Flexroute®.
Flexroute® is supplied with a Cobra® Low Profile L14S0C nylon cable tie but is designed for use with other standard-width cable ties when appropriate for the application.
Changing the cable tie may change the performance limitations of the fastening component. It does not automatically establish a new tested or rated performance level for the complete Flexroute® installation.
Product Claims
Descriptions such as secure, cushion, helps protect and helps reduce describe the intended function and observed real-world performance of Flexroute®.
These descriptions should not be interpreted as guarantees that pinching, kinking, abrasion, vibration, shock, movement or other damage cannot occur in every installation.
Proper product selection, routing, installation, cable-tie selection, inspection and compliance with the requirements of the underlying equipment or system remain important to the performance of the complete installation.
13. Patents & Additional Information
For current patent information, visit the Hawken Components Intellectual Property page.
Flexroute® is manufactured for Hawken Components LLC.
For current product information, specifications, installation guidance and support, visit www.hawkencomponents.com.
