Got called out for my cable ties on a job in Tempe last year

Aaron Martinez · 2026-03-28T07:35:07.656699+00:00

A senior tech saw my work and said, "You're crushing the jacket, you'll get a callback in six months." He showed me how to leave a quarter inch of slack before cinching. I started using that trick and my service call rate dropped. Anyone else get a piece of advice that flipped a basic habit for you?

lucas5516mo ago

Oh man, that's a solid one. I read a forum post years ago about torque specs on terminal blocks. Some old head said over-tightening was just as bad as under-tightening, it work-hardens the copper and causes breaks later. I started using a torque screwdriver on control panels after that. Completely changed my approach.

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simonw416mo ago

Yeah, that slack trick is a total game changer.

4

angelaellis6mo ago

Honestly seems a bit over the top. People have been tightening things by feel forever without issues.

1