Unicrimp has strengthened its bootlace ferrule range with the introduction of two sizes: 16mm and 35mm. These additions build on installer and wholesaler feedback, expanding the range so customers can now access the full spectrum of sizes from one trusted supplier.

The introduction of these larger ferrule sizes further enhances Unicrimp’s comprehensive offering, giving electrical professionals an even more practical and convenient solution for terminating multi‑stranded cables safely and cleanly.

Feedback from the market had consistently identified the absence of 16mm and 35mm sizes within the existing Unicrimp bootlace ferrule offering. In response, Unicrimp has acted to address this gap, ensuring that customers can now source a complete and more practical range from a single, trusted supplier.

Key product benefits include:

• Improved wire safety
• Versatile range of sizes and colours
• Provides a clean end termination to multi stranded cables
• Insulating sleeves designed to accept tri-rated cables

The new 16mm and 35mm bootlace ferrules are available in Ivory French and Red French finishes, aligning with industry conventions and supporting clear identification during installation.

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Jake Green, Head of Technical Engagement with Scolmore Group, which incorporates the Unicrimp division of cable accessories, explores how correct cable support prevents strain and damage – and why wholesalers are central to ensuring contractors have the right products to meet BS7671 requirements.

For wholesalers, cable support is more than a simple add‑on sale. With BS7671 placing clear obligations on installers to protect cables from mechanical strain and damage, contractors rely heavily on their wholesaler to supply compliant, high‑quality fixings and accessories.

Why cable support matters

Regulation 522.8.1 of BS7671 requires wiring systems to be selected and installed so that cables and their terminations are not damaged during installation, use or maintenance. In practice, this means contractors need access to a wide range of support solutions – and they often turn to wholesalers for guidance on what’s appropriate for each job.

Regulations 522.8.5, 522.8.11 and 522.8.12 go further, stating that:

• Cables must not be subjected to mechanical strain
• Supports must not have sharp edges
• Fixings must not damage the cable

This places real emphasis on choosing the right product for the right application – something wholesalers are ideally positioned to support.

Types of support wholesalers should stock

Contractors expect wholesalers to carry a broad and reliable range of cable support options, including:

• Cable ties
• Cable cleats
• Cable clips
• Cable tie accessories
• Cable glands

Products such as Unicrimp metal cable cleats and Unicrimp brass meter tail glands are examples of items that help installers meet compliance requirements while ensuring long‑term system integrity.

The choice of fixing depends on:

• The installation surface (e.g., clips for timber, ties for basket tray)
• The cable type (e.g., cleats for SWA cables)

Wholesalers who understand these distinctions can better support their customers and strengthen their technical credibility.

Guidance contractors rely on

The IET On‑Site Guide (OSG) remains a key reference for installers. Appendix D provides recommended spacing for cable supports, with Table D1 detailing distances for accessible cable runs.

For example:

• A cable with a diameter up to 9 mm requires closer clip spacing
• Larger cables can be supported at greater intervals

Wholesalers who understand these guidelines can help contractors select the correct quantity and type of fixings – improving customer service and reducing returns.

Bending radii are also critical. Regulation 522.8.3 requires cables to be bent without placing strain on internal conductors. The OSG’s Table D5 gives examples, such as the minimum bending radius for 1.5mm² twin and earth.

Cable entry: a common point of failure

Wholesalers frequently supply the accessories that prevent damage at cable entry points.

Two issues must be addressed:

1. Sharp edges on metal boxes – requiring grommets or bushings
2. Strain on terminations – requiring proper support and compression glands

Stocking the right glands, grommets and strain‑relief products ensures installers can meet Regulations 522.8.5 and 522.8.12.

What this means for wholesalers

Electrical wholesalers are a vital link in ensuring safe, compliant installations. By offering a comprehensive range of cable supports – and understanding the regulatory drivers behind them – wholesalers can:

• Help contractors meet BS7671 requirements
• Reduce installation faults and call‑backs
• Strengthen customer trust
• Increase sales of complementary products

Unicrimp’s extensive range of clips, cleats, ties and glands gives wholesalers the opportunity to supply everything a contractor needs to install cables safely and compliantly.

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Lynne Jhangeer of LINIAN examines some of the products and solutions redefining cable fixing.

In today’s electrical and construction sectors, time is money — but safety is everything. Installers face increasing pressure to deliver high-quality work on tighter schedules, all while meeting ever-evolving compliance standards.

LINIAN is dedicated to designing products that simplify installation, reduce fixing time, and improve safety on site — without compromising on performance.

A smarter way to fix cables

Traditional cable fixing methods often involve multiple components: clips, plugs, screws, anchors — and multiple steps. Drill. Insert plug. Position clip. Drive screw. Repeat. It’s a process that consumes time and introduces inconsistency, particularly when working at height or in confined spaces.

LINIAN offer single-component fixing solutions that combines clip and anchor into one unit. Drill a hole, push it in, and you’re done. No wall plugs. No screws. No separate components. The result? A dramatically faster installation process that can reduce fixing time by up to 50% compared to traditional methods.

For contractors managing large-scale projects — whether in residential developments, commercial buildings, or industrial environments — those time savings quickly translate into significant cost efficiencies.

Real-world conditions

LINIAN solutions are designed with installers, for installers. Electricians told us they needed:

• Faster fixing methods
• Reduced repetitive strain
• Greater consistency
• Fire-rated compliance
• Fewer components to carry

The single-piece design means fewer materials to manage on site. Installers can work one-handed — a critical advantage when operating from ladders or elevated platforms. Less handling means less fatigue and improved productivity across a full working day.

In environments where cable management must meet fire safety standards, compliance is non-negotiable. Our range is made from high quality, corrosion resistant, fire rated steel which means the products meet UK wiring regulations, helping contractors maintain compliance without adding complexity.

Supporting modern construction demands

The construction landscape is changing. Modular builds, high-volume housing, and large-scale commercial installations all demand speed without sacrificing quality.

Cable fixing solutions are used across:

• Residential housing developments
• Student accommodation projects
• Hospitals and healthcare facilities
• Commercial offices
• Industrial installations

In high-volume residential projects especially, reducing seconds per fixing can mean hours saved per plot. Multiply that across dozens — or hundreds — of properties, and the impact becomes substantial. Speed, however, is only part of the equation.

Improving safety on site

While speed and simplicity are vital on modern projects, fire safety remains one of the most critical considerations in cable management.

In the event of a fire, inadequately supported cables can fail prematurely. Plastic fixings may soften or collapse under high temperatures, allowing cables to fall and potentially obstruct escape routes or hinder firefighting operations. Following well-documented incidents in the UK, regulations were strengthened to ensure that wiring systems are supported in a way that prevents premature collapse during a fire.

At LINIAN, fire performance is not an afterthought — it is engineered into products from the outset.

The range is designed to provide secure retention under elevated temperatures. Manufactured to withstand the demands of fire conditions, these fixings help maintain cable containment and support compliance with UK wiring regulations, including the requirements introduced following changes to BS 7671.

By using fire-rated cable clips as standard, contractors can install with confidence, knowing that the fixing method contributes to the overall integrity of the installation in extreme circumstances.

Importantly, this level of protection does not come at the expense of speed. The same single-component, push-fit design that accelerates installation also ensures consistent, secure anchoring — reducing the risk of improper fixing that could compromise performance.

In today’s regulatory environment, demonstrating due diligence in fire safety is essential. Choosing compliant, fire-rated cable fixing solutions is a simple but significant step toward protecting both property and lives.

Cable management should not only simplify installation — it should stand up to the toughest conditions when it matters most.

Sustainability through efficiency

LINIAN uses fully recyclable packaging including water-based ink, however, sustainability isn’t just about materials — it’s also about process efficiency.

Reducing the number of components per fixing reduces material usage. Faster installation reduces energy consumption on site. Fewer repeat visits due to inconsistent fixings means fewer vehicle movements.

By designing products that streamline workflow, we indirectly contribute to more sustainable construction practices. Small improvements, multiplied across thousands of installations, create meaningful environmental impact.

Listening, adapting, improving

One of LINIAN’s greatest strengths is its close relationship with installers and wholesalers. Feedback drives development process – if a product can be made quicker, stronger, or more versatile, LINIAN wants to know. An expanding product range reflects that ongoing dialogue with the industry.

As methods advance and regulatory requirements tighten, efficiency and compliance will only grow in importance.

By combining smart design, installer-focused innovation, and rigorous performance standards, LINIAN is helping professionals complete jobs faster, safer, and with greater consistency. In an industry where margins are tight and deadlines tighter, the right cable accessory doesn’t just hold a cable in place — it holds a project together.

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The EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules help businesses like yours create cross-selling and up-selling opportunities by building knowledge and confidence. These training modules have won a Princess Royal Training Award so you can be assured of their value.

Cables and Cable Management is one of the 12 EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules created to develop the professional knowledge and confidence of your team.

Training in Cables and Cable Management includes:

• Wiring systems
• Telecommunications cables
• Optical fibre cables
• Special cables
• Substandard and counterfeit cables
• Cable fire performance
• Cable management systems
• Cable termination

Online learning through The EDA Academy

All the EDA Product Knowledge Modules are available to study electronically via The EDA Academy, the Association’s e-learning portal. Each training course is delivered through video and interactive learning, but if the original hard copy textbook is preferred these are still available.

Talk to the EDA team and ask for a demo of the e-learning platform.

Years of knowledge to give your team a commercial edge

City & Guilds accredited, this training programme harnesses decades of combined expertise from product experts at EDA manufacturers and allied trade associations to create an accessible and practical training opportunity for you and your team.

Test your knowledge

Have a go at this quiz sampled from the Cables and Cable Management module. Then check your answers below. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today.

Q1: What is BASEC when referred to on a cable specification?
Q2: What is SWA cable?
Q3: What is total internal reflection?
Q4: Name three applications that special cables can be used for.
Q5: When are fire-resistant cables needed?
Q6: What is a ‘tight jacket’ cable construction?

Scroll down for answers

Answers:

Q1: British Approvals Service for Cables
Q2: Cable with steel wires spiralled around the cable providing mechanical protection
Q3: The phenomenon that keeps laser light within the confines of an optical fibre
Q4: Industrial control, building management and high-temperature environments
Q5: When there are installations that still need to work at high temperatures or if there is a fire
Q6: The primary coated optical fibre is subjected to an additional secondary coating which is coloured to differentiate them

How did you do?

Full marks: Well done.

3 – 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and help you progress in your career?

Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.

Watch the video and download the Course Directory

There’s plenty of information online at www.eda.org.uk, including videos and a downloadable Course Directory giving you a summary of what’s covered in each of the 12 training modules.

The EDA team is ready to help. Call 020 3141 7350 or email training@eda.org.uk

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Jake Green, Head of Technical Engagement with Scolmore Group, takes a look at some of the ways to avoid undue strain on cables, as well as delving deeper into the requirements of BS7671.

Wiring systems must be selected and erected to avoid during installation, use and maintenance, damage to the sheath or insulation of cables and their terminations (522.8.1). To ensure the requirements of this regulation are met, cables not installed in conduit or trunking are typically supported using a range of clips, saddles, band, glands and ties.

Requirements

All cables and conductors must be supported in such a way that the level of mechanical strain which naturally exists will not cause either the cable/conductor or the terminations to be compromised (522.8.5). Furthermore, all cable supports and enclosures shall not have sharp edges liable to damage the wiring system, and cable/conductors are not to be damaged by the means of fixing (522.8.11 & 522.8.12). It is important, therefore, that care is taken when selecting for use supports that are appropriate for the cable/conductors.

Types of support

There is a wide range of options available for the contractor when selecting cable supports. These include amongst other things:

• Cable ties
• Cable cleats
• Cable clips
• Cable tie accessories
• Cable glands

The type of fixing will depend on the nature of the surface to which the support is fixed. For example, cable ties would be suitable for fixing cables installed on basket tray or cable tray, whereas cable clips would be suitable for wooden surfaces. Similarly, the type of support will depend on the type of cable being installed. For example, cable cleats will be suitable for steel-wire armoured cables.

Guidance

The guidance issued within the On-Site Guide (OSG) published by the IET is helpful in deciding on the nature of cable support and the distances recommended between clips. Appendix D covers cables generally, specific applications such as caravans and the like, overhead wiring as well as conduit and trunking support.

Table D1 details spacings of supports for cables in accessible positions. Fig 1 gives an example of the recommended distance between clips for a cable having a diameter not exceeding 9mm based on Table D1. As the cable diameter increases the distance between clips is permitted to grow.

Image: Fig 1 Cable supports example – image courtesy of T.J. Bratley

Whilst the support distances are important, it remains the case that the purpose of cable supports is to ensure there is no undue strain on the cable or its terminations.

Similarly, when cables are bent it is important that there is no undue strain on the internal conductors caused when the bend is too tight (522.8.3). Fig 2 shows an example of the recommended bending radius for 1.5 mm² insulated and sheathed ‘twin and earth’ (Table D5 OSG).

Image: Fig 2 Bending radius example – image courtesy of T.J. Bratley 

Cable entry

Two issues must be addressed when cables enter an accessory: the risk of damage to the sheath/insulation at the point of entry, and any potential strain on connections.

Where a cable enters a metallic accessory box having no protection from sharp edges, there is a risk that the insulation surrounding conductors may become damaged leading to arc and shock risk. Where cables enter a metallic accessory box, it is important that protection is provided, such as with rubber grommets or similar.

Even where cables entering an accessory box or other metallic enclosure are protected from damage, terminations may still be impacted by strain as cables are left unsupported. In such circumstances it is necessary for suitable support to be provided and compression glands provided to ensure the electrical and mechanical strength of terminations (522.8.5 and Note).

Conclusion

All cables and conductors must be suitably supported to ensure that no undue strain exists on the cable or the terminations (522.8). Care should be taken to select appropriate support (clips, glands and the like) for cables and Unicrimp has a range of products to help the contractor in carrying out their duties.

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The home automation market is growing at a rapid pace and the demand for smarter homes is growing significantly. Holly Pulham of Securi-Flex discusses the cables making it all possible.

A smart home refers to an accessible home setup which allows homeowners to control appliances, thermostats, lights, and other devices remotely using a smartphone or tablet through an internet connection. For example, you can even use voice commands through Google Home or Amazon Alexa to complete basic tasks in your smart home.

What is the difference between ‘home automation’ and ‘smart home’?

Home automation is a system that allows your smart home to run automated services you may have set up. They will be pre-programmed by the user to deliver pre-defined preferences. The idea behind this is that some things which you may do all the time on a routine basis should and can be fully automated. For example, with certain lighting you might like it set to a preferred state which adjusts automatically to how you want it each time.

A smart home on the other hand, as mentioned, can be controlled by the user via an app on their phone or by using an internet connection to connect to these devices, which in this context could be smart or dimmable bulbs.

Why are smart homes becoming more desirable?

An automated home, either fully or in part, provides numerous benefits to its user. This includes enhanced security for the protection of theft, protection from unauthorised access to the user’s home and the evolving need for energy efficient solutions. For these reasons it’s no surprise that the market is gaining traction, particularly in the residential and commercial sectors in order to protect both personal and business-related assets.

There’s been an increase in demand for home monitoring from remote locations. In line with technological advancements, the adoption of smart devices and growing number of smartphone and Internet users worldwide are all contributing factors.

Smart home statistics show that the global household penetration of products stood at 7.2% in 2019, according to Statista. This figure is reportedly set to increase to 16.7% by 2023, which is more than double and there’s certainly room for further growth.

What is the most common smart home product in Britain?

According to YouGov, smart meters are the most commonly used smart home product in Britain. However as these are free, it is noted that smart speakers are the most popular smart home device by physical purchase, with 11% of consumers owning one. Among them, 69% chose the Amazon Echo, while a comparatively small 19% opted for Google Home.

The key role specially developed cabling can play

This leads us to discuss smart home cabling and the options available. Securi-Flex stocks a vast range of cables suitable for smart homes, which includes but not limited to: audio speaker cables, smart lighting, blind control, access control (Purple Pipe), networking and high-speed data, home surveillance, fire alarm, security alarm, HVAC control, Belden and KNX equivalents (also known as EIB cable), which is ideal for smart buildings and building utility systems.

Cable options

Let’s take a closer look at some of these cables. Securi-Flex stocks a composite access control cable, also known as Purple Pipe. Specifically designed for proprietary access control systems, these cables are broadly used in public buildings where security and safety are important. It’s a cost-effective security solution that’s less labour-intensive and provides easy-identification features for a new level of ease and convenience to any installation.

Commonly known as KNX cable, Securi-Flex also stocks an EIB Bus equivalent which features two twisted pairs of solid conductors with a foil screen and tinned copper drain wire. This cable has a distinctive sheath which is green in colour and is Low Smoke Zero Halogen. The KNX/EIB cable has exceptional capabilities for electrical and shielded communication performance, which enables use for intelligent building control, lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, blinds, time management and locking systems. This is used to build intelligent building control solutions for domestic and commercial applications resulting in control of the users everyday working or living environment.

The Securi-Flex home automation range also includes structured data networking cables, which enable multiple devices to share connection of internet and media over Category 5e, Category 6, Category 6A, Category 7A and even Category 8. Streaming HD for example requires cabling that can provide fast and accurate data transmission. Using a high-quality, high-performing data cable is vital.

DALI (Digital Addressable Lighting Interface) is a standard international Communication Protocol, a global standard for dimming and digital lighting control. DALI cables are versatile, easy to install and a cost-effective lighting control solution.

LonWorks (Local Operating Network) is regarded as the world’s Leading technology for building services devices. Devices are installed in a variety of sectors including motorway lighting, lighting control, HVAC systems, security systems and many more. The ‘SFX/USP1-16’ for example is available in LSZH GREY and Black PE Duct Grade – It has two 16 AWG cores and unscreened composition.

Hybrid data, communication & control cables work with speciality lighting systems for efficient control of artificial light. Often referred to as 1502R or Lutron equivalent, we can offer our ‘SFX/USP16-OSP22-LSZH’ from stock, which is the ideal solution to these systems to allow custom configuration by the owner to create their own lighting settings. Whereas lighting control bus cables are intended for communications between the lighting distribution board, lighting control modules and luminaire plug wiring. Colour coded sheath compounds are provided for the ease of identification between lighting control wiring and Dali Bus Installation. These are often referred to as E-BUS, M-BUS, O-BUS and T-BUS.

To view the full range of cables, click here

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