The Ellis No Bolts cleat has become the first cable cleat to be granted PADS approval by Network Rail.

The all polymeric stackable product, which is designed and manufactured by the world’s leading cable cleat company, Ellis, was developed following an enquiry through our UK distributor, ETS from Network Rail concerning a maintenance problem that was causing health and safety issues. It was launched last summer and was named Innovative Industrial Product of the Year at the 2016 Electrical Industry Awards.

Phil Goddard, Ellis’ technical development manager, said: “We have always prided ourselves on our innovative approach to product development, but the Ellis No Bolts cleat is a product that made the entire industry pay attention. Not only does it meet a specific customer requirement, it also tackles and addresses an installation and maintenance issue that affects electrical installations across the world.”

The problem outlined by Network Rail was that live cables were having to be removed from cleats, work carried on around them, and then somehow placed back between tightly spaced upright studs at regular intervals along the entire run.

Ellis addressed the issue by designing a cleat that could be stacked and fixed with nothing more complicated than a quarter turn fixing lock. This means additional cable runs can be added quickly and easily, without any need to tamper with existing ones. The rapid-fit nature of the product is further enhanced by the replacement of fixing nuts with a push-fit locking mechanism that securely fastens the lower and top section of the clamp together.

As well as attaining PADS approval, the Ellis No Bolts cleat is manufactured from a high-strength nylon specifically formulated to meet the London Underground 1-085 approved material standard. It also conforms with IEC 61914.

Ellis No Bolts cleats are suitable for single cables ranging from 18-55mm. The range’s PADS register numbers are:

0111/120321 (for 18-22mm cables)

0111/120322 (for 20-26mm cables)

0111/120323 (for 24-30mm cables)

0111/120324 (for 28-34mm cables)

0111/120325 (for 32-39mm cables)

0111/120133 (for 37-47mm cables)

0111/120134 (for 45-55mm cables)

To find out more about Ellis and the new Ells No Bolts cleat visit www.ellispatents.co.uk, call +44(0)1944 758395 or follow @ellispatents on Twitter.

See the Ellis No Bolts cleat in action – http://www.ellispatents.co.uk/video/