Cable Management


More than a component C


Unlocking value through better cable cleat selection.


able cleats were once overlooked. Today, they are recognised as critical to the safety and performance of electrical installations. Here, Lee Frizzell, technical director of CMP Products, speaks to Electrical Wholesaler about how the market has evolved and why cable cleats are now an integral part of cable management design. You only need to go back 20 years to fi nd a time when cable cleats were not consistently specifi ed and formal guidance was limited. In many cases, they were replaced with lower-cost alternatives that did little to secure cables eff ectively once installed.


Today, that has changed. The importance of cable cleats is widely understood, and demand continues to grow across sectors such as energy, infrastructure and industrial applications. Modern cleats are designed, tested and engineered with precision, in line with recognised standards and are now considered an integral part of system design.


Improving safety, performance and ease of installation


The primary role of a cable cleat is to secure and support cables, ensuring they remain safely in place – particularly under fault conditions. Electrical installations often carry high fault currents, generating powerful electromechanical forces during a short circuit. Without adequate restraint, cables can move violently, potentially damaging equipment and creating serious safety risks. Correct specifi cation and proven performance are therefore essential. Manufacturers have also had to respond to the realities of working on site. Contractors are under constant pressure to deliver projects quickly, increasing demand for solutions that are easier and faster to install. As a result, today’s cable cleats off er greater


fl exibility in specifi cation, installation and maintenance than ever before, helping to reduce overall project costs in both time and money, beyond the initial purchase price.


The need for technical and customer support


Choosing the right cable cleat is not always 26 | electrical wholesalerAugust 2026


straightforward. Many installations require careful assessment to ensure the most appropriate solution is selected.


Cable layout, prospective fault current, installation environment and relevant standards can all infl uence the specifi cation. Get it wrong, and the consequences can be serious – an underspecifi ed cleat may fail under short circuit conditions – potentially leading to infrastructure downtime, equipment damage and safety risks. This has made technical support an increasingly important part of the overall off er. Manufacturers are now expected to provide guidance on product selection, testing data and compliance, supporting engineers, contractors and wholesalers throughout the specifi cation process.


This expertise adds real value-saving time, reducing risk and giving confi dence in the fi nal specifi cation.


Why experience matters


As the market has grown, so too has the number of cable cleat manufacturers and products available. While greater choice is welcome, not all


products are designed, tested or manufactured to the same standards. Lower-cost alternatives can appear similar, but diff erences in materials, design and verifi cation can signifi cantly impact performance – particularly under short circuit conditions.


Some products also lack recognised or independently verifi ed test data, making informed specifi cation more important than ever.


Developing cable cleats for demanding fault conditions requires signifi cant engineering expertise, extensive testing and a deep understanding of real- world installations. Experience is also critical as regulations


evolve and infrastructure changes, enabling manufacturers


to adapt based on proven knowledge and testing.


Safety, compliance and performance versus cost As performance demands increase, so too does the pressure to reduce costs. However, focusing solely on purchase price can overlook the wider implications for


safety and lifecycle value.


Cable cleats perform a critical safety function, so product quality and verifi ed performance should be central to any specifi cation decision. Cleats should be tested against recognised standards to ensure they can withstand the forces generated under fault conditions.


While cable cleats typically represent a small proportion of an overall project cost, specifying the correct product can help prevent costly failures, equipment damage and unplanned downtime – delivering far greater value over the lifetime of the installation.


A key part of this value lies in the quality and credibility of product testing. Not all testing is equal. Short-circuit testing must accurately replicate real-world fault conditions, considering factors such as peak fault current, cable spacing and installation confi guration. Testing to


recognised standards, such as IEC 61914, provides a benchmark, but the depth, scope and quality of testing can vary signifi cantly between manufacturers.


For specifi ers and contractors, access to detailed, independently verifi ed short-circuit test data is essential. It supports accurate product selection and provides assurance that the cleat will perform as expected under the most demanding conditions.


ewnews.co.uk


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