equipment & cablinG update 29
Understanding the importance of
cable cleats in offshore industries
Richard Shaw discusses
the dangers posed
by incorrectly cleated B
y its very nature, offshore, and In a nutshell, for any electrical installation
other oil exploration work is fraught to be deemed safe, cables need to be restrained
with danger, which is why so in a manner that can withstand the forces they
many millions of pounds are spent generate, including those generated during a
cables.
ensuring the very highest standards of health and short circuit.
safety are met. And this is exactly what cable cleats are
Therefore, it would seem extremely remiss designed to do. Without them, the dangers are
Richard Shaw erläutert
die Gefahren im
if a significant aspect of this type of installation obvious. Costly damage to cables and /or cable
Zusammenhang
was frequently neglected – yet according to one management systems, plus the risk to life posed
mit falsch
of the world’s leading cable cleat manufacturers by incorrectly or poorly restrained live cables.
klemmbefestigten
there is. One of the major contributing factors
Kabeln. The key issue surrounding behind the current, and somewhat confused
cleats and their use in this situation, is that although cable cleats
type of environment is are recognised by industry regulators,
Richard Shaw analiza
that their importance having their own European
los peligros que
is frequently standard (EN50368) and an
entraña la sujeción
incorrecta de los
underestimated. Therefore, International one
prensa-cables.
instead of being treated as (IEC61914 Ed. 1) expected
a vital element of any cable soon, these are simply
management installation they advisory guidelines rather
are frequently lumped in with than obligatory regulations.
the electrical sundries. With no golden guideline
What this means in practice to follow, the market is very
is that even if suitable products much manufacturer driven.
are specified, they are still seen as Different companies
fair game for cost-cutting when it manufacture to different
comes to companies seeking to keep standards and so the market
within tight budgets. is something of a mish-mash of
And this practice, if allowed to continue products of varying quality.
unchecked, could lead to the wholly Add to this the facts that the majority of
unnecessary loss of a life. cleats are manufactured as add-ons by
There is absolutely no companies that specialise in other
doubt that by eradicating areas, and that some of today’s
this practice this cleats are not even short-circuit
danger can be tested prior to being put into
drastically reduced, production, and it is easy to
but the big picture see why their importance isn’t
also needs to be fully understood, let alone
addressed to ensure appreciated.
consistence practice In the long-term the
across the board. whole situation needs to be
The only way of resolved through a process
achieving this is by of education and agreement
educating contractors, involving manufacturers,
specifiers – in fact, the regulators, specifiers,
offshore industry as a whole contractors and installers.
– as to the true But, what of the short-
importance of cable Figs. 1. and 2. Suitable for offshore use due to term? What should be
cleats. And to do their robust design, high short circuit withstand being done in order to
this, we need to go and stainless steel construction, Ellis Patents’ ensure corners are not cut
back to basics. Emperor cleats in single and trefoil variations. and safety sacrificed when
➠
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