CEClips

CEClips are a family of retention devices designed to secure cables and small components within electronic assemblies. They work by snapping into edges, slots, or dedicated mounting points and provide a repeatable level of retention without screws. Variants include edge-mounted clips for PCB edges and larger rail- or chassis-mounted clips for housing and equipment enclosures. CEClips are typically made from thermoplastics such as nylon or PBT, and in metal versions from stainless steel or phosphor bronze. Some designs include integrated locking features or anti-back-out ribs to prevent accidental release during vibration.

Common applications include consumer electronics, automotive wiring harnesses, telecommunications equipment, and data-center hardware. The clips help reduce assembly time, enable tool-free routing, and support rework, while also contributing to strain relief by guiding cables along defined paths.

Installation generally requires pressing the clip into a slot or onto an edge until a tactile or audible click is felt; removal can be done with a small tool or prying action to release the latch. Limitations include limited load capacity and reduced effectiveness under high-temperature or aggressive chemical exposure for plastic variants. Material choice and design determine resistance to vibration and creep in service.

See also: cable clip, wire harness, fastener.