Ellis calls for cable cleats to be classified as protective equipment in wiring regulations

2013-2-12

The world’s leading cable cleat manufacturer, Ellis has called on the IET to eradicate a longstanding installation issue that causes serious health, safety and system integrity problems by reclassifying cable cleats as protective equipment.

Richard Shaw, managing director of Ellis, said: “For many years we have banged the drum about the sheer importance of correctly cleating cables and the dangers that arise if short cuts are taken, yet still we see far too many installations where this advice has been ignored and corners cut simply to save money.”

“Where to point the finger of blame is a complex and difficult problem, but how to resolve the situation is straightforward,” he continued. “By reclassifying cable cleats as protective equipment you would immediately see them being correctly specified and installed in every new electrical installation.”

Ellis’ argument for this reclassification is based on three key points:

1)    In the event of a short circuit fault the maximum electromechanical stress between the conductors occurs during the first quarter cycle – i.e. at or before 0.005 seconds

2)    Typical circuit breakers and other protection devices don’t trip and interrupt a fault until between three and five cycles (0.06 to 0.1 seconds)

3)    In contrast, correctly specified cable cleats earn their crust during the all important first quarter cycle, ensuring the cables remain intact and operational