• • • COVER STORY • • •
REINVENTING ELECTRICAL POWER CABLE RESTRAINT WITH
MLT & STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS In the fast-evolving world of smart buildings, hyperscale data centres and industrial power installations, the reliability of electrical infrastructure has become a critical concern
By Alan Durrant, Business Manager IEI UK/Ire and Nordics, Panduit EMEA W
hile much attention is rightly placed on power delivery, redundancy and monitoring, an often overlooked critical
element is cable restraint.
The way power cables are secured within containment systems directly affects safety, reliability and long-term cable and building performance. For decades, traditional cable cleats, manufactured from polymer, aluminium, or stainless steel plates, have been the industry standard. These devices, bolted firmly to cable ladders and trays, have provided the strength necessary to restrain cables during short circuit events. Yet in many ways, they have become a bottleneck for modern projects. They are heavy, bulky and size-specific, which creates complexity in design, storage, procurement and installation. The new generation of Metal Locking Ties (MLT) and stainless steel strap cleats represent a step-change in this area. Engineered to deliver the same level of fault restraint as traditional
cleats, they provide a more adaptable, space- saving and installation-friendly solution. By replacing multiple cleat sizes with a single flexible tie or strap, they allow contractors and designers to simplify inventories and reduce installation times without compromising on safety or compliance. At a time when infrastructure projects are under pressure to deliver greater efficiency and reduced carbon footprints, these stainless ties and strap cleats are increasingly seen as the future of cable management.
Cleats are critical safety devices during short circuit events. Within the first milliseconds of a fault, electromagnetic forces drive cables apart with extraordinary force. These movements, occurring long before a circuit breaker has tripped, can cause insulation damage, deformation of cable trays, or even injury to personnel if cables are left unrestrained. Standards such as IEC 61914:2021 set out the conditions under which cleats must be tested, covering not only their
strength under axial and lateral loads but also their resistance to flame, UV, corrosion and impact. The latest MLTs and stainless steel straps are tested extensively to this benchmark, providing assurance of high performance under extreme fault conditions. Traditional cleats fulfil this protective role effectively, but they bring with them a set of limitations. Each cleat is designed for a specific range of cable diameters and formation, meaning that even modestly complex projects can require dozens of part numbers. This creates logistical inefficiencies, with contractors needing to store and transport multiple pallets of cleats to a single site. Their bulk also increases shipping costs and storage requirements, an issue magnified in modular construction projects where space is at a premium. Furthermore, their installation is often time-consuming. Aligning cleats correctly, tightening multiple bolts and managing their weight all add to labour time, driving up costs.
Size for Size: Same strength and resistance, with reduced weight and size 8 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • NOVEMBER 2025
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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