Ellis Patents Lead The Way With Cable Cleat Calculator Innovation

Posted on 11 August 2020

Ellis Patents Cable Cleat Calculator

by Thorne & Derrick | Ellis Patents UK Distributor

Tool To Help With Cable Cleat Selection

Ellis Patents has once again demonstrated why they stands alone as the cable cleat market’s leading innovator – having developed an online calculator that will provide users with completely accurate specification information for any project in a matter of seconds.

The cable cleat calculator provides correctly specified cleat spacings with respect to short circuit conditions; and recommends the ideal products for that specific project. This is achieved through a pre-programmed calculation that takes into consideration cable formation, cable size, short circuit current and the installation environment.

Cable Cleat Spacing

The questions asked in this calculator are designed to provide Ellis with the proper information to specify the correct cable cleat for your project. The questions consider cable formation, cable size, short circuit forces and the installation environment only.

It should be noted that issues such as cable weight for vertical cable runs, thermo-mechanical forces, extreme environmental conditions (e.g. extreme temperatures, industrial pollutants etc.) and any other non-standard cable installation factors have not been considered.

Thorne & Derrick distributors for Ellis Patents should be made aware of these issues should they be present for your project.

PEAK VS RMS CURRENT

The formula uses peak current, however this is often unavailable with a Root Mean Square (RMS) value given instead. To calculate the peak current from the RMS, IEC 61439-1 Low voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies is commonly referred to, which uses the following multiples:

10kA < I ≤ 20kA Multiply by 2

20kA < I ≤ 50kA Multiply by 2.1

50kA < I Multiply by 2.2

INTERMEDIATE Cable STRAPS

The use of intermediate straps are not considered within the calculator.

The below table details the straps suitable for each cleat whereby the cleat to cable strap spacing is the same as the calculated cleat spacing.

FLEXI-STRAP (SD) and PROTECT: VULCAN+, VULCAN+ QUAD, TRIDENT, ALPHA, VARI-CLEAT
FLEXI-STRAP (HD): EMPEROR, COLOSSUS

Cable Cleat & Strap

FIXED INTERVAL SPACING

For fixed interval spacing applications such as cable ladder, the calculated cleat spacing should be rounded down to the closest possible interval. In the example of standard cable ladder which provides a cleat mounting surface every 300mm, should the calculated spacing be 0.8m the spacing to suit cable ladder should be rounded down to 0.6m.

CALCULATION ASSUMPTIONS

Multiplication factor of 2.2 used to convert RMS to peak (based on IEC 61439-1).
Spacings given may only be suitable for a category 1 short circuit for certain products. Refer to Ellis to confirm whether category 2 criteria can be applied to the product spacing calculation provided.
Spacings for No Bolts Cleat assume a worst case scenario of a stacked formation. Larger spacings can be achieved if the cleat is fastened separately, refer to Ellis for more details.
Spacings for the 2F+ clamp assume the strength throughout the range is consistent. In reality it changes considerably and larger spacings may be achievable for larger cleats as the lowest strength has been assumed in this calculator.
Ellis have strived to ensure that the results generated by the calculator are accurate and correct at the time of use, it is however recommended to contact Ellis to confirm the calculated spacing is suitable prior to order placement. All calculated spacings are based on the results of short circuit testing to IEC 61914.

Stephen Walton, Technical Director of Ellis Patents, said: “Correctly specifying cable cleats and the spacing that the cleats need to be installed at is vital in ensuring they function properly when called onto cable management systems. Until now, specifiers and planners needed to make the calculation using a complex formula, and then interpret these results into product type, quantity and exact spacing.”

“Our cable cleat calculator removes this complicated mathematical element from the specification process; and replaces it with a fool proof option that provides the correct cleat specification quickly and easily.”

Ellis Patents designs and manufactures all of its cable cleats in North Yorkshire, and has a global reputation for both its products, and its proven ability to solve problems through innovative thinking. This has seen the company create new products in live project situations for the likes of Balfour Beatty and Siemens; and cure a major health and safety installation headache for Network Rail.

“Our innovative approach to product and service development has served us well over the years; opening many doors that would have remained firmly shut to more traditional manufacturers,” continued Stephen.

“With the cable cleat calculator I’m confident this single online tool will have the biggest impact of any of our innovations to date; as it really does have the potential to be adopted as an industry essential across the globe.”