How Cable Cleats Enhance Electrical Installation Safety

Cable management isn’t just about keeping things neat—it’s about ensuring safety, performance, and longevity. When dealing with high-power electrical installations, stability is everything. That’s where cable cleats come in. These small but mighty devices play a huge role in securing cables, preventing damage, and ensuring your electrical system stays rock solid.

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What Are Cable Cleats?

Cable cleats are mechanical devices designed to hold electrical cables firmly in place. Whether you’re dealing with high-voltage installations or everyday wiring, cleats keep cables from shifting due to mechanical stress, electrical surges, or environmental factors. They help prevent wear, reduce the risk of electrical faults, and ultimately contribute to a safer installation.

Why Are They Important?

• Prevents Cable Movement – In the event of short circuits or mechanical vibrations, cables can move, which may cause damage or disconnections. Cable cleats stop that from happening.
• Enhances Safety – Loose cables are a safety hazard. Cleats secure them properly, reducing fire risks and preventing accidents.
• Prolongs Cable Life – Excessive movement or pressure can wear down cable insulation. Cleats help extend the life of your cables by keeping them in place.
• Ensures Compliance – Many electrical standards require cable restraint systems. Using cleats ensures compliance with regulations like IEC .

Types of Cable Cleats You Can Find at Batt Cables

Not all cable cleats are built the same. Depending on your installation needs, you’ll want the right type to secure your cables effectively. Here are some top options available at Batt Cables:

1. Reliance Aluminium Trefoil Cleats with LSF Liner

• Designed for trefoil cable arrangements, offering secure fastening in high-voltage environments.
• Made from series aluminium, ensuring strength and durability.
• Includes a Low Smoke & Fume (LSF) liner to protect cables from damage.
• Available in 24 sizes, covering cable diameters from 19mm to 128mm.

2. Sabre Single Bolt Plastic Cleats

• Simple yet effective for single-cable installations.
• Made from high-quality plastic, ensuring durability without damaging the cable.
• A cost-effective solution for medium and low-voltage applications.

3. Helios Stainless Steel Fire Performance Cleats

• Built from corrosion-resistant Stainless Steel 316L.
• Ideal for securing fire-resistant cables in critical installations.
• Designed to maintain cable retention even in extreme fire conditions.

How to Choose the Right Cable Cleat

Choosing the right cable cleat is essential to ensuring the longevity and stability of your electrical installation. Several factors come into play when making this decision.

Cable Configuration

The way your cables are arranged will determine the type of cleat you need. Trefoil configurations require cleats that can securely hold three cables together in a circular pattern, while single and quad arrangements demand different designs to prevent movement and maintain stability.

Installation Environment

The surrounding environment plays a significant role in selecting the right cleat. Outdoor installations require corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel to withstand moisture, chemicals, and harsh weather. High-temperature areas should use fire-resistant cleats to ensure the cables remain secure under extreme heat.

Mechanical Stress Considerations

If your installation involves vibrations, electrical faults, or potential short circuits, strong cleats are essential. High-strength cleats provide superior grip and stability, preventing cables from shifting or sustaining damage during surges or heavy mechanical stress. It’s worth noting that each cable cleat design can perform differently in terms of short circuit resistance. The required performance information will be available on the manufacturer’s datasheet.

Best Practices for Installing Cable Cleats

Even the highest-quality cleats won’t be effective if they’re not installed correctly. Following best practices during installation ensures optimal performance and long-term reliability.

Ensure Proper Spacing

Proper spacing between cleats is crucial for stability. Manufacturers provide guidelines to manage mechanical forces and prevent excessive cable movement, ensuring the system remains secure and efficient.  Manufacturers can also provide support but guidance on cleat spacing is also found in the cable cleat standard BS EN .

Secure Mounting Surfaces

Cleats should always be attached to a solid mounting surface. Whether fixed to walls, ceilings, or support structures, the surface must be strong enough to withstand external forces and prevent displacement.

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Perform Regular Inspections

Routine inspections help maintain system integrity. Over time, cleats may wear due to environmental exposure or vibrations, so regular checks ensure they remain in good condition and provide continued cable support.

Final Thoughts

What is a Cable Cleat?

The international standard governing Cable Cleats used in electrical installations is IEC :. In this standard Cable Cleats are defined as “devices designed to provide securing of cables when installed at intervals along the length of the cables”. Simply put, cable cleats are used to secure, fix and route electrical cables in the positions required in an electrical installation. They can consist of single or multiple parts, plastic or metal material and include some sort of provision for securing itself to a surface or structure.  Mounting surfaces that may be specified include; ladder, tray, strut, rail, wire and beam. Examples of different types of cleats securing cable to cable ladder can be seen in the image below.



Cable cleats should be designed to ensure that cables are fixed, supported and routed in a manner that provides safe operation and reduces the risk of damage or injury in the event of an emergency or accident. Improper clamping of cables can result in loss through unnecessary  downtime or even injury and death. They should at a minimum:

• Be rated for the specified cable OD.
• Provide a means of securely fixing the cable.
• Have adequate strength to secure the cable.
• Prevent excessive cable movement.
• Avoid chafing and undue stress in the cable.

Cleat Selection and How to Specify Cable Cleats

If you’re here it’s likely you may have asked yourself ‘which cable cleat should I use for this job?’ Unfortunately the answer frequently is ‘well, it depends!’ More specifically you may be wondering ‘what size cable cleats for 2.5mm SWA?’ or ‘what size cable cleat for 6mm armoured cable?’. The latter questions are much easier to answer and if you scroll to the end of this article you’ll find selection tables for all of our cleats and common cable sizes.

Cable Arrangement
The cable arrangement/configuration will primarily dictate the type of cleat required. Cable arrangements for 3 phase installations utilising single conductor cables are typically flat spaced, flat touching or trefoil. A parallel or flat arrangement of single core cables can be completed with a range of single or two-part cleats. Whereas a trefoil or quad arrangement would require a trefoil or quad type cleat respectively.

Cable Type - The type of cable being used, Single or Multi-core, as well as its Voltage Levels and Construction Low Voltage (LV), Medium Voltage (MV) or High Voltage (HV)} should be considered.

Cable Diameter - Knowing the overall diameter of the cable (measurement across the entire cross-section) is essential in ensuring the correct size of cleat is selected. It is also required to calculate the short circuit forces that the cleat may be subjected to, this can be used to determine correct cleat spacings.

Performance - A range of factors will dictate the level of performance your installation will require. The size, weight and length of run of the cable also spacing will usually influence whether you require a polymer or metallic cleat. Things such as the support structure material and environmental conditions (corrosion) can also affect your decision of cleat material. Other factors such as project specification may require special provision for performance in the event of a fire. Low Smoke or Zero Halogen options are available along with cast iron in extreme cases. 

In summary, to correctly select they type of cleat you require you should be looking to obtain the following information;
1. Calculate the system peak fault current.
2. Confirm cable type and arrangement, including the overall diameter and manufacturing tolerance.
3. Confirm the support structure type and material.
4. Consider any other environmental conditions and project specification requirements.
5. Consult with the Remora Sales team who, given your requirements, will advise the most cost effective solution.

In the UK the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS) provides current ratings and voltage drop values for all these cable configurations. Information is also available on grouping factors and spacing between circuits to achieve thermal independence.

Cleat Types