Understanding the importance of cleats
The cable management market in the UK is a massive industry, with millions spent each year on product
development, system installation, renovation and even replacement.
So it would seem extremely remiss if one significant installation aspect was seriously neglected. But, according to Richard Shaw, managing director of one of the world’s leading cable cleat manufacturers, Ellis Patents, there is one such aspect. He talks to EPA about educating the market as to the dangers posed by incorrectly cleated cables.
The key issue surrounding cable cleats is that their importance is frequently underestimated. Therefore, instead of being treated as a vital element of any cable management installation they are simply lumped in with the electrical sundries. What this means in practice is that even if suitable products are specified, they are still seen as fair game for costcutting when it comes to companies seeking to keep within tight budgets – a potentially dangerous practice, which if The key issue surrounding cable cleats is that their importance is frequently underestimated. Therefore, instead of being treated as a vital element of any cable
management installation they are simply lumped in with the electrical sundries.
What this means in practice is that even if suitable products are specified, they are still seen as fair game for costcutting when it comes to companies seeking to keep within tight budgets – a potentially dangerous practice, which if allowed to continue unchecked could lead to the wholly unnecessary loss of a life.
There is no doubt that by simply eradicating this practice this danger can be drastically reduced, but the big picture really does need to be addressed in order to ensure consistence cleating practice across the board. The only way of achieving this is by educating the electrical industry as a whole as to the true importance of cable cleats. And to do this, we need to go back to basics.
In a nutshell, for an installation to be deemed safe, cables need to be restrained in a manner that can withstand the forces they generate, including those generated during a short circuit, and this is exactly what cable cleats are designed to do. Without them, the dangers are obvious – costly damage to cables and
cable management systems, plus the risk to life posed by incorrectly or poorly restrained live cables.
One of the major contributing factors behind the current, and somewhat confused, situation is that although cable cleats are recognised by industry regulators, having their own European standard (EN50368) and an
International one expected soon, these are simply advisory guidelines rather than obligatory regulations.
As a result, the market is very much manufacturer driven. What this means in practice is that with no golden guideline to follow, different companies manufacture to different standards and so the market is something of a mish-mash of products of varying quality.
Add to this the facts that the majority of cleats are manufactured as add-ons by companies that specialise in other areas, and that many of the cleats on the market today aren’t even short-circuit tested prior to being put into production, and it’s easy to see why their importance isn’t fully understood, let alone appreciated.
In the long-term the whole situation needs to be resolved through a process of education and agreement involving manufacturers, regulators, specifiers, contractors and installers.
But, what of the short-term?
What should those working in the electrical industry today be doing in order to ensure corners are not cut and safety sacrificed when it comes to cable cleats?
To answer this, installations need to be split into two categories – new and old.
In the case of new installations, the process should begin during the design stages. Ideally, this would commence with the forces between cables being calculated so as to ascertain the type and strength of the cleat required. A number of other factors then need to be taken into account, including physical performance, mounting surface and the environment in which the installation will be situated. Only when this has all been tested and measured can the designer be confident of specifying the correct cleat for the installation.
Old installations meanwhile pose a completely different set of problems. Many will have been installed before the introduction of any related standards, while those that came later may still not be suitable. Therefore, it’s advisable to review all cabling in such installations to ensure it is safely restrained in
relation to today’s requirements.
Understanding the need for cleats and the processes involved in their correct specification is though only half the story. Cleats themselves come in a variety of sizes and types and it’s important to understand this variation in order to ensure they are correctly chosen.
Perhaps the simplest way of doing this is by ensuring the product comes with suitable third party certification that it can withstand the forces it claims to – this would come in the form of a short circuit
testing certificate.
Additionally, levels of cable protection can be enhanced by selecting products with Cat 2 passes rather than
Cat 1. What this means, is that the cable would be guaranteed to still be intact and operable after a short circuit, as opposed to just the cleat.
If you look at this prescribed course of action from a budgeting point of view, it’s fair to stay that certain initial costs would be slightly increased. But if you consider the kind of sums involved, in terms of time, materials and manpower, in replacing an entire cable management system due to a short circuit occurring and causing irreparable damage it’s easy to see the point of the additional expense. And, when you also take in
account the improving health and safety, there surely can be no argument against ensuring correct cleating practice?
Ellis Patents is the only leading manufacturer in the electrical industry that focuses solely on cable cleats. Its products are used extensively across a whole spectrum of electrical installation environments and all are comprehensively tested and certified prior to sale.
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