• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
+44 (0) 20 8405 6789
sales@etscablecomponents.com
  • Products
    • Cable Glands Adaptors & Reducers
    • Cable Cleats & Cable Ties
    • Electrical Cable Lugs & Connectors
    • LV Cable Jointing and Heat Shrink
    • Medium Voltage Terminations & Joints
    • Screened Separable Connectors
    • Pfisterer CONNEX
    • Earthing and Lightning Protection
    • nVent ERICO Cadweld Exothermic Welding
    • ERICO Signal Reference Grid Products
    • Cable duct sealing system
    • Crimping & Cutting Tools and Tool Hire
    • Corrosion Protection Products
    • Cable Markers & Insulation Products
    • Flexible Conduit
    • Powersafe High Current Connectors
    • Street Lighting Fusegear & Fuses
    • Plastic Electrical Enclosure Boxes
    • Cable Tray Unistrut & Cable Ladder Systems
  • Manufacturer
    • 3M
    • Birkett
    • Cembre
    • CMP
    • DENSO
    • Derancourt
    • Ellis Patents
    • Elastimold
    • nVent ERICO
    • Euromold
    • FiloForm
    • Flexicon
    • Hawke
    • HellermannTyton
    • Lucy Zodion
    • Nexans
    • Pfisterer
    • Powersafe
    • Prysmian
    • Raychem RPG
    • Raxton
    • Ripley
    • Sonel
    • TE Connectivity
  • Sectors
    • Data Centres
    • Hazardous Areas
    • LUL – London Underground
    • PV Solar Farms
    • Surface Rail
    • Utilities
    • Wind Farms
    • Waste to Energy
  • Services
    • Training and Assessments
    • Tool hire
    • Tool Repair Calibration
  • Contact
    • Cookie Policy
  • Login
  • Your quote 0
Call
0
Quote
  • Your quote
  • Login
  • Register
  • Products
    • Cable Glands Adaptors & Reducers
    • Cable Cleats & Cable Ties
    • Electrical Cable Lugs & Connectors
    • LV Cable Jointing and Heat Shrink
    • Medium Voltage Terminations & Joints
    • Screened Separable Connectors
    • Pfisterer CONNEX
    • Earthing and Lightning Protection
    • nVent ERICO Cadweld Exothermic Welding
    • ERICO Signal Reference Grid Products
    • Cable duct sealing system
    • Crimping & Cutting Tools and Tool Hire
    • Corrosion Protection Products
    • Cable Markers & Insulation Products
    • Flexible Conduit
    • Powersafe High Current Connectors
    • Street Lighting Fusegear & Fuses
    • Plastic Electrical Enclosure Boxes
    • Cable Tray Unistrut & Cable Ladder Systems
  • Manufacturer
    • 3M
    • Birkett
    • Cembre
    • CMP
    • DENSO
    • Derancourt
    • Ellis Patents
    • Elastimold
    • nVent ERICO
    • Euromold
    • FiloForm
    • Flexicon
    • Hawke
    • HellermannTyton
    • Lucy Zodion
    • Nexans
    • Pfisterer
    • Powersafe
    • Prysmian
    • Raychem RPG
    • Raxton
    • Ripley
    • Sonel
    • TE Connectivity
  • Sectors
    • Data Centres
    • Hazardous Areas
    • LUL – London Underground
    • PV Solar Farms
    • Surface Rail
    • Utilities
    • Wind Farms
    • Waste to Energy
  • Services
    • Training and Assessments
    • Tool hire
    • Tool Repair Calibration
  • Contact
    • Cookie Policy
  • Products
    • Cable Glands Adaptors & Reducers
    • Cable Cleats & Cable Ties
    • Electrical Cable Lugs & Connectors
    • LV Cable Jointing and Heat Shrink
    • Medium Voltage Terminations & Joints
    • Screened Separable Connectors
    • Pfisterer CONNEX
    • Earthing and Lightning Protection
    • nVent ERICO Cadweld Exothermic Welding
    • ERICO Signal Reference Grid Products
    • Cable duct sealing system
    • Crimping & Cutting Tools and Tool Hire
    • Corrosion Protection Products
    • Cable Markers & Insulation Products
    • Flexible Conduit
    • Powersafe High Current Connectors
    • Street Lighting Fusegear & Fuses
    • Plastic Electrical Enclosure Boxes
    • Cable Tray Unistrut & Cable Ladder Systems
  • Manufacturer
    • 3M
    • Birkett
    • Cembre
    • CMP
    • DENSO
    • Derancourt
    • Ellis Patents
    • Elastimold
    • nVent ERICO
    • Euromold
    • FiloForm
    • Flexicon
    • Hawke
    • HellermannTyton
    • Lucy Zodion
    • Nexans
    • Pfisterer
    • Powersafe
    • Prysmian
    • Raychem RPG
    • Raxton
    • Ripley
    • Sonel
    • TE Connectivity
  • Sectors
    • Data Centres
    • Hazardous Areas
    • LUL – London Underground
    • PV Solar Farms
    • Surface Rail
    • Utilities
    • Wind Farms
    • Waste to Energy
  • Services
    • Training and Assessments
    • Tool hire
    • Tool Repair Calibration
  • Contact
    • Cookie Policy
You are here: Home2013Archives for May 2013

Archives for May 2013

The Importance of Correctly Cleating Cables

May 8, 2013 by admin

The importance of correctly cleating cables in a trefoil formation within electrical installations is frequently underestimated, often due to a lack of understanding. Many people assume cleats are used purely to hold the power cables to the desired route, but for an installation of single core cabling system to be deemed safe, it is vital these cables are restrained in a manner which is able to withstand the forces generated in potentially lethal short-circuit situations.

The below video shows an example of the extreme force that can be generated by a short-circuit:


More awareness yet inferior products

In recent decades, the demand for electrical power has risen dramatically and specifiers are becoming more aware of the issues involved with incorrectly cleating trefoil cable formations, but issues still occur with inferior quality products within the market-place.

To address the issue of inferior products, in addition to the existing European Standard (EN 50368), there is now an international standard which provides global recognition of the need to provide suitable restraint for power cables; IEC 61914:2009.

Up-to-date international accreditation

Coupled with the International standard, it is equally important that any product specified is capable of demonstrating its suitability for the required task. It is no longer acceptable that in-house testing certificates are used as proof of a products pedigree and this is why current, third-party testing is vital.

Here at ETS, we continue to believe that only the highest quality, UK-manufactured, EN and IEC standard conforming cable cleats should be used. Our expertise and extensive cleat range allows us to supply cleats designed specifically for the task and third-party accredited as such.

We also provide a service that can recommend which type of cleat should be used and importantly, the spacing interval the cleat should be fixed for each project application. This is calculated from the short-circuit withstand installation requirement and the diameter and construction of the cable being installed.

If you found this article helpful or interesting, please share it!

Filed Under: Knowledge

Heat Shrink vs Cold Shrink: Knowing When Each One Is More Suitable

May 8, 2013 by admin

Cold Shrink and Heat Shrink tubing may appear similar from the outside, but their key characteristics are very different. Both types of tubing have different installation techniques, applications and physical properties.

HeatShrink and ColdShrink tubing can be used for a variety of cabling applications including: terminating, splicing and providing environmental seals on LV and MV cables. More than price, ease of use and environmental conditions should be taken into consideration when choosing the most suitable product.

The differences

The most obvious differences between the two products are how each of them is applied. Cold Shrink comes stretched over a removable plastic core, allowing the tube to be slid over the application, the core removed and the tubing will contract to create a watertight-seal around the cable or connection due to the ‘active memory’ contained within the EPDM rubber or silicone material. Heat Shrink, also comes pre-stretched but as a sleeve rather than over a removable core. The sleeve requires a heat source for installation, usually from a gas torch, to heat the polyolefin tubing so that it shrinks to its original size, creating a seal over the cable or joint.

Silicone-rubber Cold Shrink tubing has the greater UV-resistance of all the types of cold or heat-applied tubing and is therefore used in outdoor, exposed environments, for example: trackside terminations to rail power lines. EPDM rubber is also used in Cold Shrink tubings and is much more abrasion resistant than other cold or heat-applied products, being ideally suited for direct burial applications such as cable-to-cable jointing.

Cold Shrink tubing has an “active memory” seal characteristic, meaning the tubing is always trying to return to its original size and able to maintain its sealing capability around cables as they expand and contract under large load-swings or temperature fluctuations.

Another advantage of Cold Shrink tubing is that, because there is no direct flame required to install components, there is a reduced risk to the installer, especially in the presence of combustible gasses. Hot-work permits are not required and quality and reliability of the installation is guaranteed due to fewer critical installation techniques, with resultant time and cost savings.

The polyolefin-based material used in Heat Shrink is resistant to most chemicals and also becomes very rigid once it has been heated, therefore making it a good choice for mechanical protection. However, the downside to this rigidity is the products inability to expand and contract with the cable, meaning an environmental seal cannot be maintained without the aid of hot-melt adhesives or mastic tapes. Heat Shrink materials are not suited for installation areas experiencing high heat or humidity, but are ideal for use in most industrial/commercial installations where operating temperatures are below 90oC and where chemical resistance is required.

Video: ColdShrink Joint vs HeatShrink Joint

Knowing which one to choose

Every cabling installation has a number of different requirements when it comes to chemical, abrasion and moisture resistance. When adding space limitations and temperature considerations into the equation, choosing the correct product can become difficult and confusing. Ultimately, ETS can provide a vast selection of Heat Shrink and Cold Shrink products to suit a wide variety of cable accessory requirements from low-voltage straight joints, all the way up to 72kV distribution line terminations.

If you found this article helpful or interesting, please share it!

Filed Under: Products

Stainless Steel Cable Cleats and Galvanic Corrosion

May 7, 2013 by admin

How the issue of galvanic corrosion affects installation of stainless steel trefoil cleats onto galvanised steel support structures in various environments.

The term galvanic corrosion refers to corrosion induced when there is electrical contact between two dissimilar metals in the presence of an electrolyte, i.e. water or corrosive vapour. The severity of the corrosion is determined by whether the metal is deemed cathodic, e.g. 316 stainless steel in its passive state, or anodic, e.g. zinc (the predominant metal of galvanised coatings).

In the majority of cable cleat installations, galvanic corrosion is not experienced due to the lack of an electrolyte in the atmosphere. Stainless steel has an inherent chrome oxide film layer which protects it from the environment, in what is deemed an “active” state, this layer can however be eroded in the presence of halogen salts in the form of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine or astatine, many of which can be found in contaminated water or gas vapour. As the majority of ETS stainless steel cable cleats are installed within dry industrial or commercial environments, without the presence of any electrolyte and remaining in their “active” state, galvanic corrosion does not occur between the cleat and the surrounding galvanised steel support structure.

Cause and effect of galvanic corrosion

Galvanic corrosion is an issue which must be addressed in areas contaminated with high levels of halogen salts, namely exposed environments close to the sea or areas prone to contaminated rainfall, e.g. major conurbations and oil or gas fuelled power stations etc. In such areas the integrity of the stainless steel product is attacked by these halogen salts, breaking down the protective chrome oxide film, making the material deemed to be “passive” in its characteristics. Over a period of time and in the continual presence of an electrolyte, any zinc coated (galvanised) structure is adversely affected, dissolving the zinc and corroding faster than it would if not in contact with the passivated stainless steel, which conversely corrodes slower! In real terms, this means that the galvanised coated steel-work would corrode due to the loss of its zinc coating, although the stainless steel cleat suffers no adverse effects.

Avoid galvanic corrosion with a 91-ST washer

To overcome the issue of galvanic corrosion in such areas, we recommend the use of the 91-ST cleat separation washer. This provides an insulation layer between the dissimilar metals, increasing the distance between each metal and removing the electrical and physical contact points critical to the development of corrosion.

The importance to this process of time and “wetness” (as well as the chemical characteristics of the “wetness”) should be stressed. There is no definite period of time which can be mentioned as there are so many variables to the process, consideration should be paid to the projected life-span of the installation and the potential corrosiveness of the environment. In general terms, we would advise the use of the cleat separation washer for all external installations.

If you found this article helpful or interesting, please share it!

Filed Under: Products

Thameslink Blackfriars Station Redevelopment

May 1, 2013 by admin

Blackfriars station in London is at the end of a major redevelopment programme which started in 2008. As a major landmark station which is visited by 44000 passengers a day, this Thameslink project was initiated by Network Rail to increase the service capacity and frequency of trains from 12 to 24 trains an hour. As well as improving the interchange service between the National Rail and LUL services.

Station Redevelopment

The redeveloped station is the first in London to span the River Thames, allowing the platforms to accommodate 50% longer trains.

ETS have provided relevant cable accessories for the duration of the project from the commencement of the enabling phase in 2008. Products have included Cembre terminals, Stainless steel cable ties, Ellis LUL approved cable cleats and CMP LUL approved Cable Glands.

Cable products to meet demand

Mick Searle – Project Buyer for Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering explains:

“ETS provided a flexible service to meet the demands of the project which sometimes meant goods having to be delivered on a same-day basis. We knew that we could also count on ETS to provide products that met the correct criteria for both Network Rail and LUL installation standards”.

Images courtesy of Network Rail

Filed Under: Projects

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2

Primary Sidebar

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
  • Login
  • Your quote
Useful Links
  • Request a Quote
  • Blog
  • Recruitment
  • Privacy Policy and other statements
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • About ETS CC
  • Contact Us
  • Request a Catalogue
  • Accreditations
Contact ETS

For up to date technical data please get in touch

020 8405 6789
sales@etscablecomponents.com
E.T.S. (Portsmouth) Limited T/A ETS Cable Components
Unit 43, Barwell Business Park
Leatherhead Road, Chessington
Surrey, KT9 2NY
Get Social

Stay up to date by following us on social media

ETS Accreditations
ISO 9001 Certified Company
FORS Fleet Operator Recogintion Scheme ID: 002140
RISQS Verified
Achilles UVDB Silver Plus
ISO 14001 Certified Company
FORS Practitioner
Bronze top 35% ecovadis sustainability rating Sep 2024

Copyright 2025 ETS Cable Components. All rights reserved. Website by Tiga Creative Marketing Kent.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Accept All Cookie Settings
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT