Cable Cleats for Short Circuit Protection

There are several different types of cable cleats, each with their own advantages. To choose the right solution for your project, start with these four questions:

1. What is the peak kA? Knowing the magnitude of the forces the circuit will create in the case of fault sets the minimum threshold. Lower ip kA circuits can be restrained in more ways and with a wider range of materials. Circuits under 20 ip kA can most likely use cable ties instead of cleats.
2. Cable Outer Diameter? The cable’s outer diameter is vital in calculating the peak force generated during a short circuit event
3. How are cables arranged? Cable cleats are available for single, trefoil, quad, or multi-core conductor configurations.
4. What system are you mounting to? Cable cleats can be used along a wall, ladder rack, or wire basket. The spacing of a ladder rack may dictate at what interval cleats can be installed, and the size of the slots determine whether a mounting bracket is needed to adapt to the shape of the rungs.

The Panduit Cleat kAlculator™ is the easiest way to find the best options for your project based on these criteria. Beyond cleat selection, the Cleat kAlculator™ generates a complete bill of materials (BOM) for your application, including: 

• The appropriate cable cleat 
• Required mounting bracket 
• Accessories such as cushion sleeve 
• Recommended installation tools 

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NEC Article 392.20 states that “single conductor cables shall be securely bound in circuit groups to prevent excessive movement due to fault current electromechanical forces.” It does not specify how this needs to be done, but the outcome needs to be cable restraint during a fault.

Engineers can be confident that properly installed cable cleats meeting IEC 61914 requirements will do the job for which they are rated. Alternate strapping solutions can only be evaluated with testing and getting it wrong can have consequences. Cable ties may be adequate for circuits under 20 ip kA, all others should use properly specified cable cleats for short circuit protection to meet code.

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 Strap-type cable cleats offer several benefits compared to traditional clamp-type cleats, including:

• Higher cable density – the slimmer straps allow more circuits to be installed within the same width cable tray.
• Simplified procurement – Strap cable cleats are inherently range taking, which means that one style of strap can be used throughout a jobsite for cables in single, trefoil, or quad configurations (straps will need to be sized for the highest force scenario).
• Fewer cartons – Strap cleats take less volume and ship in smaller boxes.
• Lower costs – Strap cleats are generally less expensive than clamp cleats, and often install faster, saving additional labor costs.

Clamp style cleats have one potential advantage: they don’t require a specialized tool for installation. If your job is small, or you don’t have access to a cable cleat installation tool, clamp style cleats may be best.

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NEC 392.20 requires “single conductor cables” to “be securely bound in circuit groups to prevent excessive movement due to fault current magnetic forces."

Lower peak fault current (ip kA) circuits can be restrained in more ways and with a wider range of materials. Circuits under 20 ip kA can most likely use cable ties instead of cleats.

For all other circuits above 20 ip kA, code requires a cable cleat to prevent excessive movement.

The easiest way to determine which cleats you can use to meet code is the Panduit Cleat kAlculator™.

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Stainless steel straps are made for static loads and tested by slowly pulling them apart with a split mandrel. Although they may offer high tensile strength, they are not designed to restrain the sudden, explosive forces that cable cleats are built to withstand.

Double Looped Strap Cleats are engineered for short-circuit protection. They use a double- or triple-loop design and are live short-circuit tested in accordance with IEC 61914. When properly installed, IEC 61914-rated cable cleats provide the restraint they are rated for and help satisfy NEC 392.20 code requirements.