Mike Jackson, Sales Director of Unicrimp, looks at the important role the humble cable clip has to play in electrical installations.
In the fast-paced world of electrical installation, precision, safety and efficiency are paramount. While much of the spotlight is placed on conductors, connectors and smart controls, one humble yet essential product continues to hold the line – literally. Cable clips, though often overlooked, play a vital role in the safety, organisation and longevity of wiring systems across residential, commercial and industrial environments.
The unsung hero of cable management
Cable clips are designed to secure cables neatly to walls, ceilings or other surfaces. Available in various sizes, shapes and materials, they prevent wires from sagging, tangling or being damaged due to environmental stress or mechanical strain. From simple plastic nail clips to advanced stainless steel variants with integrated insulation, cable clips are fundamental to maintaining clean and compliant installations.
Regulatory compliance
BS7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations) and recent updates to fire safety regulations have brought renewed focus on cable fixing. Particularly in escape routes, non-metallic clips are no longer acceptable on their own. Installers must now use fire-resistant fixings that prevent cables from collapsing during a fire – a detail that has driven increased demand for metal and hybrid cable clips.
Manufacturers have responded by developing clips with fire-rated anchors and materials tested to withstand extreme temperatures. For example, spring steel saddle clips or metal P-clips are now commonplace in commercial and public sector installations.
Selecting the right cable clip depends on several factors:
- Cable type and diameter
- Mounting surface (plasterboard, brick, steel, etc.)
- Indoor vs outdoor exposure
- Compliance with fire and building codes
- Aesthetic or visibility considerations
A comprehensive offer
Unicrimp offers a comprehensive portfolio of cable accessory products which includes an extensive range of cable clips – indispensable elements in any professional electrician’s toolkit. Unicrimp’s cable clips offer falls within two categories. There is the Q-Crimp range of durable and hardwearing plastic cable clips and the Q-Fire range of 18th Edition compliant fire-rated metal cable clips.
The Q-Crimp cable clips are perfect for organising and securing cables to fixed surfaces like walls, floors or ceilings. Constructed from durable and hardwearing plastic, they include a cable-holding element that typically requires a nail or fixing to attach it to the desired surface. Features include low-temperature flexibility, stress crack resistance, long nails for good pull out value and a self-grip design, making them versatile for any wiring project.
They are available in multiple sizes and colours, such as clear, white, grey and black, and are packaged in quantities of 100. Unicrimp’s Q-Crimp cable clips are also supplied in two handy tradesman tub options – one containing 400 x 1mm T&E Clips and 400 x 2.5mm T&E Clips, and the other containing 200×1-2.5mm Metal Clips, 400 x 1.5mm T&E Clips and 400 x 2.5mm T&E Clips. These robust tradesman tubs feature a resealable plastic lid and carry handle, and the tub itself is manufactured from recycled material.
Unicrimp recently added self-adhesive cable clips to its extensive Q-Crimp cable clips portfolio. These clips are easy to attach, while providing a strong, resistant hold thanks to the 3M adhesive backing. They are ideal for use on metal surfaces, engineering bricks, plastics and any flat, clean surface. They eliminate the need for drilling or nailing, thus saving valuable time on site and their use minimises dust, sparks, vibrations and noise for a safer and more efficient working environment.
Self-adhesive clips are the perfect solution for situations where drilling holes on surfaces is not an option. They will adhere to a wide range of clean flat surfaces, including steel, UPVC, aluminum, glass, RSJs, racking and single-skin structures.
Fire-rated solutions
Unicrimp’s Q-Fire range of fire-rated T&E cable clips are made from zinc-plated carbon steel and come in two sizes – 1-2.5mm and 4-6mm. They are available in red, white, grey and galvanised steel and in a choice of uncoated or with a grey PPA LSF coating. This offers long-term protection for the metal clips and additional safeguarding for the cable during and after the installation.
Cable clips may be small, but their impact on installation quality, safety and regulatory compliance is enormous. As the industry continues to evolve with smarter buildings and tighter standards, the demand for better cable management solutions will only grow. With such an extensive offer available, Unicrimp offers installers access to the widest possible range of fixing solutions that are suitable for a variety applications and environments and will help them comply with the latest wiring regulations.
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