What are clips?

Clips are specially designed fasteners & fixings used to keep different types of components like hose, pipes, and cables in place. They are generally attached to a support structure and act as a fastener to fix components into position. Clips, as well as springs, are generally made of metals and are available in different shapes, sizes, and materials such as stainless steel, brass and zinc-plated steel.

Types of clips

There is a wide range of clips and spring clips that are available in the market. The most common types include:

• Hose clips or jubilee clips: Hose clips are circular bands designed to attach hoses onto pipes. These types of clips come in different varieties, materials and dimensions.
• P-clips: These types of clips wrap themselves around a cable, hose, or pipe, with both their ends screwed into the support surface. P-clips are easy-to-use, lightweight, and provide robust support, preventing damages.
• Compression springs: Also known as coil springs, are open-coiled steel wires that use push force to compress and decompress themselves. One of the most common applications of compression springs is in pens.
• Extension springs: Variously called tension springs, these types of spring clips are tightly coiled wires that have hooks and loops at either end. Usually made of steel, extension springs provide resistance to pulling force, fastening two objects together by pulling them back together despite attempts to pull free.

Best practices for buying clips

Before you buy clips and springs, here are two important factors that you should consider:

• Determine the exact dimensions you need for your application and choose clips & springs that fit your requirements. For example, if you are buying a hose clip for holding cables, consider the diameters of the cables and choose accordingly.
• Make sure that you are buying clips & springs made of the right materials for your given application. If your clips will be exposed to natural or chemical elements, then it is recommended that you choose corrosion-resistant material like stainless steel.