In this month’s Face to Face we speak with Paul Ruddick, Founder CEO of D-Line, and hear about the latest developments in cable management.

Q. What are the origins of D-Line as a UK based manufacturer of cable management solutions?

Back in 2004, I was running an electrical product consultancy based in Newcastle-on-Tyne supplying innovative product mixes for electrical installation projects.

That’s when I recognised the need for ‘design-led’ cable management solutions to provide attractive surface-mounted options for use ‘when time, safety and appearance matter’.

The first range was ‘D-shaped and linear’ mini trunkings, hence the name ‘D-Line’ for the new company.

Q. Are there any specific products that have proved to be particularly popular with installers and electrical wholesalers this year?

D-Line Wrap & Lock Conduit Saddles have become very popular with installers wanting speed, safety and style. They’re approximately 50% faster to install than traditional saddles, fire-rated for regs compliance, and give a uniquely streamlined appearance.

Q. How does D-Line ensure it develops innovative products that stand out in a crowded cable management market?

We only develop products that are ‘quick to install, look great!’ This combo brings best-value and distinct advantages over traditional choices. It has enabled D-Line to pioneer niche leader positions in a global market. 

Q. What are the cable accessories features and trends to look out for over the next few years?

Around the world we are supplying trunkings for fibre-at-home cable installations, and we expect such demands to increase in UK.

Now there’s full market awareness of 18^th Edition requirements for fire-rated cable supports, we see continued growth for our market-leading Safe-D ranges that secure all PVC trunkings, conduits and direct-to-surface cables.

And no doubt higher EV ownership will bring increased demand for D-Line’s Ultra Cable Cover. This provides a use-and-remove inexpensive solution that can facilitate EV-charging in terraced streets.

Q. How does being part of the Luceco Group benefit D-Line?

Working with Luceco sales teams has brought fantastic new possibilities in terms of sales reach and also benefits from partnering with Luceco product development teams. Now we are progressing new opportunities for future innovations.

Q. What are D-Line’s future plans in both the UK and international markets?

From our reputation for innovative cable management we’ll be checking scope to evolve some other traditional-type products. D-Line’s aim is always to provide exciting new options for installers and wholesalers who want to give best-value choices.

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Terry Adams, Technical Services Manager at Marshall-Tufflex, outlines how wholesalers can help installers to select the correct cable tray, including considerations such as materials, loading capacities, fire safety requirements and installation methods.

Cable trays are an ideal cable management solution for many applications. In busy commercial environments, cable tray can be used to support and route large quantities of electrical cable in a structured manner. They also provide easy access, allowing cables to be added, removed or re-routed. The perforated construction of cable tray also aids ventilation to help avoid overheating.

There is a wide range of cable tray options available, from smaller, light gauge products ideal for less demanding applications to heavyweight options engineered to support large numbers of cables of increased size and weight. Leading manufacturers will also have an extensive portfolio of components including bends, risers, tee pieces, crosses and lids to meet any installation requirement.

However, there are a number of factors that must be considered to ensure the correct products are selected, especially as this can impact the compliance of the installation with the IET Wiring Regulations.

The right material for the job

The first consideration is the type of cable tray that would be most suitable, and the biggest differentiator is the material. Metal cable tray, typically made from pre-galvanised steel is recommended for interior installations such as data centres, warehouses or commercial retail buildings. Usually available as light, medium or heavy duty gauges, metal cable tray is strong and simple to install. Look for systems that interconnect and bolt together without the need for separate couplers to speed up installation times.

PVC Cable Tray is lightweight and ideally suited for installation into environments where Metal Cable Tray cannot be used due to the corrosive nature of the environment. Suitable applications might be water treatment plants or high humidity environments where a non-corrosive installation is recommended.

For outdoor applications or where the cable management will be exposed to more harsh conditions, Glass Reinforced Polyester (GRP) may be the most suitable. GRP products are commonly used on rail, road, marine, industrial and petrochemical projects. This is because GRP products are highly resistant to corrosion, are UV resistant and effective at temperatures between -80 degrees and 130 degrees. GRP is also a low smoke zero halogen (LS0H) material, has excellent fire performance and withstands contact with many common chemicals. As well as being extremely robust, GRP is considerably lighter than aluminium or steel, making it easy to install and move around site.

Contractors working on transport projects, may also be looking for a supplier who are RISQS verified. RISQS is an independent qualification assessment of a supplier’s products and services.

Loading capacities

It is essential that the specified cable tray can support the weight of the cables installed, especially where heavier armoured cable is being used. It is often the case that cable management systems are overloaded with cables, increasing the risk of failure. To ensure the right product is chosen, installers should calculate the number and weight of the cables using information from the cable manufacturers. This figure can then be compared to the safe working load of the cable tray, again available from the manufacturer, to determine which product is required. Similarly, when providing advice on the support system, it is important to also account for the weight of the cable tray itself.

If the installation is likely to be expanded in the future with additional cables, it is worth recommending that installers select a product that provides a higher loading capacity than is currently required. This will ensure it is future-proofed and reduce the overall costs for end clients over the long term as the cable management will not need to be upgraded later at additional cost.

Fire safety

The correct choice of cable management system plays a crucial role in maintaining the safety of the building in the event of a fire and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the 18^th Edition of the Wiring Regulations. Where cable management systems fail due to the heat of a fire, the falling and fallen cables present a serious hazard to those evacuating as well as firefighters moving into and through the building. In fact, there have been a number of cases of firefighters losing their lives when they became caught in the cables and unable to escape.

In response to this hazard, Regulation 521.10.202 of the Wiring Regulations states that all cables should be adequately supported using non-combustible fixings to prevent premature collapse in the event of a fire. This means that cables need to be supported using a material with a melting point of 1000°C for up to 120 minutes.

It is important to note that it requires all cables to be fixed to prevent them falling, rather than just those in escape routes, as was stated in earlier editions of the regulations. Providing they are fixed to a fire-resistant element of the building’s fabric, steel cable trays are an ideal solution to meeting this requirement. The 18^th Edition states that: ‘cables installed in or on steel containment systems are deemed to meet the requirements of this regulation’. This is because, depending on the steel’s composition, it has a melting point of between 1200 and 1500°C.

Where products with a lower melting point are used, such as those manufactured from PVC-U or aluminium, the cables must be securely fixed to the structure of the building using fixings that will not disintegrate in fire. BEAMA has produced guidance on this topic which is referenced by the IET Wiring Regulations. In the ‘Prevention of Premature Collapse: A Guide to the Design, Installation and Inspection of Cable Management Systems’ document, BEAMA provides specific guidelines on maximum distances the cables can move in the event of a failure of the containment. Installers should refer to this guidance to ensure the installation is fully compliant.

Those working in wholesaler branches are ideally placed to help installers select products that will meet the requirement of the current project and ensure the installation is fully compliant with the regulations.

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As an essential part of a surface cable installation, D-Line’s Safe-D fire-rated clips – which can be fixed direct to surface or in PVC trunkings – have been designed following extensive research and development, with a host of technical features and installer benefits that not only deliver exceptional safety but also outstanding quality and value, making them an essential line for wholesalers seeking to provide the best for their customers.

To provide assurance and peace of mind, all D-Line Safe-D clips have been certified by Exova Warringtonfire and comply to 18th Edition regulations. This requires that non-combustable fixings are to be used for all new surface cable installations. D-Line Safe-D Clips can withstand temperatures 970°C for at least two hours, affording sufficient time to evacuate densely populated buildings and to prevent the potentially fatal risks for end users and firefighters of cable entanglement in a burning building, as well as being able to withstand levels of shock, vibration and water spray.

As well as U-Clips that can be fitted direct to a surface or in non-metallic trunking systems and Conduit Saddles that provide a modern look, the Safe-D range also includes F-Clips, the fire-rated, thumb-friendly, flexible cable support supplied in flat form with three fixing holes that can be folded in seconds to make a variety of shapes to most effectively secure cable installations. Labour saving, the wrap & lock adjustable clip comes in three sizes from 10-17mm to 22-26mm diameter.

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WISKA produces one of the widest ranges of cable glands, grommets and entries to provide a solution to the wiring of 18^th Edition compliant consumer units. In this article, the company takes a closer look at its range of entries and grommets and how they can be used as an alternative to standard cable glands.

TKS 32 – Membrane Tail Kit Solution

The TKS 32 is a direct result of WISKA listening to the demands of users and developing a product to suit those needs. One major issue that WISKA kept hearing was the size of the cable gland and its general “bulky” appearance when used in consumer units. The TKS offers a simple, quick fitting solution for tails, it has an M32 entry with 4 entries offering IP66 protection and cable retention to EN 62444. The TKS 32 is suitable for 16 or 25 tails and 10 or 16mm earth.

How does it work?

The TKS 32 is simply pushed into the entry point (no locknut is required) then pierce the required entry and insert tails or earth. The TKS 32 is quick and easy to install, and its low-profile design allows for a flush fitting helping to save on space.

Since its launch in 2017 the TKS 32 has gone on to win Professional Electrician & Installer Magazine’s Top Product Award as well the Electrical Industry Award for Domestic and Residential Product of the Year.

“At WISKA we are always looking to create solutions that offer an advantage over existing products on the market, the TKS 32 is a prime example of this” comments Callum Wilson, Distribution Business Development & Training. “The TKS 32 offers all the same features and benefits of a conventional cable gland tail kit solution however, its functionality, speed and low-profile design offer benefits that help everyone from wholesaler, electrician and consumer.”

QUIXX (EMT-F Kits) and QUIXX – Grommet Solutions

WISKA offer two excellent grommet options for the wiring of 18^th Edition consumer units. The first is QUIXX – EMT-F Kit – these are flame retardant, IP66 push-in grommets that come in a pack with various sizes (8 x M20, 3 x M25 and 3 x M32). Quick and easy to use, simply push the QUIXX grommet into your entry (as with the TKS 32 no locknut is required) pierce the membrane and insert your cable (ensuring you pull back slightly to get a good seal around the cable and membrane). QUIXX EMT-F can be used for single or multiple cables. The other alternative to QUIXX EMT-F is CLIXX. CLIXX offers IP66/67 protection and the added bonus of cable retention to EN 62444. Available in M16, M20 and M25 sizes CLIXX is designed for single cables only and can be used with twin and earth. CLIXX is simply pushed into your entry (no locknut required), pierce membrane and insert cables. CLIXX offers 75% assembly time saving compared to regular cable glands.

As you can see, WISKA can offer an excellent range of high-quality solutions for cable entries on 18^th Edition consumer units. To find out more about these products and display stand solutions for your WISKA Tail Kits contact WISKA UK Ltd direct on 01208 816062 or via e-mail info@wiska.co.uk, or visit https://www.wiska.co.uk/

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