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Why do we use cable cleats?

Cleats are an often under estimated component of cable management systems, principle they exist to fix, retain and support cables. In addition, where short-circuit faults are anticipated, correct cleating will result in the containment of the cables during a fault and enable the circuit to continue operation with the minimum disruption.

What type of cleat do I need to use?

We currently offer over 25 different types of cleats to suit various installation requirements. These range from our single and two bolt LSF cleats, through to Emperor stainless steel cleats, designed for installation within extremely harsh environments throughout the world, e.g. off-shore petrochemical plants.

In the UK, the majority of commercial and industrial contracts call for the use of LSF cleats, aluminium two-part single way and trefoil cleats, along with the increasing use of stainless steel cleats, particularly since the advent of Fire Performance cables for critical circuits.

The following questions need to be answered to ascertain the relevant cleat for any given installation:

– What is the conductor size?
– What type of cable? i.e. single core, multi-core, XLPE, unarmoured, steel wire armoured, aluminium wire armoured etc.
– What is the overall diameter of the cable?
– Does the specification call for a specific type of cleat or type of material?
– Does the specification call for any fault current requirements?

Common issues and questions raised when ordering cleats:

– Preference for using cables ties to save money, instead of cleats.
– Spacing requirements, i.e. ladder-rack not being wide enough to accommodate the required number of cleats.
– The short-circuit withstand required from a cleat when installing single core AWA cables.
– Suitability of cleat to a particular cable, e.g. Fire Performance cleats to suit FP400 cables.
– Other spacing issues, such as the recommended mounting distance between cleats when installing cables vertically being different from when the same cable is being installed horizontally.

ETS Cable Components are the UK’s leading stockists and distributors of cable cleats and cable management accessories. For more information on our range of cleats, visit our cable cleats page or contact our Sales Team.

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The safe and correct working of accessories used for cable terminations is dependent upon many issues from the correct specification of the product through to competent installation. The following is a list of (maybe obvious) do’s and don’ts which should be adhered to.

The “Do’s” of Cable Terminations

– Do ensure the correct products are specified – such as ColdShrink, Heatshrink or Screened Connectors.
– Do check associated products are compatible and safe to be used together.
– Do check the accessories and cable dimensions match.
– Do ask the manufacturer or distributor for more information on the product is required.
– Do prepare the cable and accessories in a suitable environment (clean and dry).
– Do ensure all staff are trained and competent to carry out the termination.
– Do use the correct tools for the job.
– Do ensure these tools are properly maintained and functioning properly.
– Do make sure the cable lugs/terminals are installed correctly – for crimp connectors, ensure the correct die sets and compatible tooling.
– Do smooth any sharp edges on lugs caused by crimping dies.
– Do read and follow installation instructions carefully.
– Do not forget to install the earthing system correctly.
– Do ensure heat shrink and cold shrink components are correctly positioned before shrinking or removal of cores.
– Do fully test the terminations after installation.

The “Don’ts” of Cable Terminations

– Don’t rush any part of the job.
– Don’t cut corners or take short cuts.
– Don’t allow sheds on adjacent cores of a three-core termination to touch – This can lead to discharging.
– Don’t allow any secondary wiring to be damaged when installing heat shrink sleeving.

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