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.

Further details can be found here

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As part of its 2024 expansion plans, electrical contractor and facilities management provider QUEST Electrical has expanded into the wholesale sector and launched a new wholesale trade website.

QUEST is a NICEIC approved electrical contractor and facilities management provider and has now expanded its specialist electrical parts offering with a website for trade customers.

As part of this expansion, the company is also taking on new staff including electricians, business development managers, site managers and admin staff.

Dominic Miller, Technical Director at QUEST Electrical, said: “Through our expansion into wholesaling and the introduction of click-and-collect services, QUEST Electrical has witnessed remarkable growth.

“This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of our team. A special congratulations is owed to Harrison Codd, our award-winning apprentice, whose leadership was instrumental in building our new website and spearheading the project from start to finish.”

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What’s in a plate finish? Hamilton explores what the trend for metallics means for wholesalers.

With clients paying more attention to design detail, and growing increasingly savvy in their spending, electrical wholesalers and contractors are under increasing pressure to come up with the goods.

So, suppliers like Hamilton Litestat that meet the needs of the electrician with a versatile product range and keep up with the latest interior trends, make life easier for us all.

Hamilton’s range of decorative wiring accessories now consists of 23 plate collections, available in up to 23 standard finishes. And thanks to the popularity of metallic finishes in both modern and traditional interiors, it really hits the spot.

Why are metallics such a big deal?

Gone are the days when warmer finishes such as brasses and bronzes were reserved only for period interiors. Or where black would only be considered for particularly daring schemes. Hamilton’s team of designers have noticed everyday interiors growing more sophisticated in their appearance, with layered textures becoming a big feature.

Wiring accessories in metallic finishes add another dimension to any interior design – complementing or even enhancing a chosen look rather than being an unavoidable imperfection. This offers wholesalers and their electrical contractor customers a great opportunity to benefit from the sales opportunities that metallic finishes provide.

With warmer finishes bringing radiance to an interior that nods to a more luxurious feel, cooler metallics offer a more calming appearance. And with so much choice available, the versatility of metallic is vast, presenting immense sales potential.

What do colour trends mean for wholesalers?

It goes without saying that what is popular, sells! So, a keen understanding of product desirability is vital for planning stock levels and forecasting sales. This knowledge not only bolsters confidence in making colour recommendations but extends to considerations of style and functionality as well.

Thanks to Hamilton’s designers keeping their fingers firmly on the pulse of the latest design trends, news of Dulux’s chosen colour of the year for 2024 didn’t go unnoticed. And it goes a long way to illustrate the end-user’s clear preference for warmer metallic tones and specific face plate appearances.

This year’s featured shade is named Sweet EmbraceTM, and, fluffy designer speak aside, it’s a soft and positive hue, crafted to bring balance and homeliness to any interior. With comfort as its defining quality, accessories in warming shades like brass and bronze become an instinctive choice. Similarly, on-trend colours such as Basalt Gray and Matt Black provide a sense of substance and reliability, further enhancing the feeling of security.

When a need for unobtrusiveness arises, a natural inclination toward flatter and softer plate designs emerges. Hamilton’s Hartland G2 – a slim and elegant plate with soft round edges, or their Sheer G2 – a flat, square edged plate, both feature a screwless finish, making them equally fitting choices.

So, where does functionality fit in?

Emphasising simplicity directs customers’ attention to the finer detail. This includes scrutinising switch options, plate configurations and functionality empowers them to personalise their interior to their exact liking. With this in mind, rocker switches, toggle switches and dimmers become interchangeable and so, Hamilton’s Grid-Fix plates are a useful solution for electrical contractors.

Toggle switches provide a minimalist appearance, seamlessly blending into their surroundings. Dimmer switches provide the flexibility to customise the room ambiance to the user’s preference. Rocker switches, with their simplicity, still hold a valuable place as a user-friendly solution. And not forgetting USB-A&C double switch sockets, now a must-have for charging all generations of smart devices. All these options are available in finishes that perfectly complement the face plate on which they are mounted.

Traditionally, when considering Grid-Fix as a solution, the end result might have been tainted by the inclusion of a plastic inlay plate, often limited in colour choices. This limitation is particularly noticeable when using toggle and dimmer switches.

And so, recognising metallic finishes remain firmly in the spotlight, Hamilton has developed a range of Grid-Fix inlay plates to provide a cost-effective and contractor-friendly solution, ensuring that interiors stay on-trend.

A stylish solution

Complementing its range of wiring accessory plate finishes, Hamilton has introduced 14 new metallic inlays. These are available in a variety of finishes, including Antique Brass, Satin Steel, Copper Bronze, Basalt Gray, Etrium Bronze, Richmond Bronze, Black Nickel, Gloss White, Satin Brass, Bright Chrome, Matt Black, White, Connaught Bronze and Polished Brass.

This allows easy adaption of lighting control using a Grid-Fix plate. Inlay plates to be selected to match either the switch or the plate finish for a more stylish appearance. In the case of Hamilton’s Linea range, frames can be chosen independently of the face plate, providing the flexibility to match or contrast with the switch or plate finish, depending upon the desired look.

In addition to the 14 inlay plate finishes, Hamilton also offers three trim options. Customers can choose from black, white and quartz grey to ensure any plastic element remains discreet.

The diversity of Hamilton’s offerings allows for the seamless customisation of wiring accessory solutions. This ensures they meet the contractor’s need for ease of fit, instilling confidence in your aesthetic recommendations.

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