Cable Management
Metal is an excellent material for shielding cables against EMI. Best practice is to separate power and data cables by fitting metal dividers – typically steel or aluminium – between trunking compartments. While these can be fitted in PVC-U trunking, it does not provide complete EMI protection as there is no protection from external EMI sources. Where cables are routed close to equipment that might produce EMI, fully metal trunking systems may be a better solution. The same considerations must be applied where cables are being housed in conduit, including where it will be concealed in the building fabric. The most obvious solution is to use standard rigid metal conduit. However there is another option that can provide a faster and simpler installation.
Multi-layer LS0H conduit, such as MT Supertube, that comprises polyethylene internal and external layers over a continuous aluminium tube, provides mechanical strength, true flexibility that allows bends rather than joints at changes of direction, and effective EMI shielding when metal fittings are used. This type of conduit can be fitted easily without the need for specialist equipment and can be supplied in coils of up to 100 metres, meaning fewer fittings and minimal waste.
Ensuring fire-safe specifications While fire safety has always been critical when selecting any product for a project, there is now an increased focus and especially for electrical installations. Therefore, selecting non fire-propagating, low emission products has never been more important, and is in fact a requirement on many projects. Metal cable management systems are particularly suitable to meet this need as both aluminium and steel are classified as non-combustible, low smoke zero halogen (LS0H) materials. However, it is also important to consider the properties of the accessories and fittings installed as part of a metal system. Selecting polycarbonate fittings allows the system to maintain its low smoke zero halogen
“When supporting customers with cable management recommendations and product selections it is important to understand where and how the products will be installed: what is suitable for some interior environments will not work for others.”
(LS0H) classification.
Additionally, recent years have seen changes to the Wiring Regulations to improve the fire safety of buildings, especially in terms of the performance of cable management in the event of a fire. Where cable management systems fail due to the heat of a fire, falling and fallen cables present a serious hazard to both those evacuating and firefighters moving into and through the building. Sadly, there have been
cases of firefighters losing their lives after becoming entangled in fallen cables and being unable to escape.
As a result, Regulation 521.10.202 of the Wiring Regulations requires that all cables be adequately supported using non-combustible fixings to prevent premature collapse in the event of a fire. This requirement was initially applied to escape routes and then extended to all areas of the building with the publication of the 18th Edition in 2018. Full compliance with this requirement is vitally important as it could save lives in the event of a fire.
In practice, the regulation means that cables need to be fixed to a fire-resistant element of the building using a material that can resist temperatures of 1000°C for up to 120 minutes. There are two acceptable approaches to achieving this as outlined in the regulations. The first is to secure all cables using steel fixings at appropriate intervals along the entire length. This is the approach that must be taken when using PVC-U systems.
The second route to compliance is to use steel cable management systems. Depending on the composition, steel has a melting point of between 1200ºC and 1500ºC, meaning steel cable management products can effectively protect the cables from falling during a fire. It is important to note that aluminium does not meet the standard set by the regulations as it has a melting point of 655ºC. Therefore, if aluminium cable management is used, the cables must be secured using steel fixings.
For wholesaler teams, understanding the benefits of metal cable management systems lets them make informed and valuable recommendations to customers, helping them to meet project requirements and achieve regulatory compliance.
ewnews.co.uk
August 2026 electrical wholesaler | 17
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