STAINLESS STEEL CABLE CLEATS – PREVENTING GALVANIC CORROSION OF CABLE FIXINGS

In the following article we provide an evidence based specification case for stainless steel cable cleats where levels of atmospheric corrosion preclude use of other cable fixing materials. 

Using this criteria, if galvanised ladder is the support structure, and there are no other significant factors, it is safe to use ball lock stainless steel cable tie. However, if the support structure is stainless steel, separation should be provided if aluminium or galvanised cleats are used.

Galvanic corrosion is not easily predictable and can be influenced by the type of electrolytes present such as salt water or fresh water containing impurities. In general terms when guarding against galvanic corrosion, the safest course of action is to separate dissimilar metals with polymer separation washers.

This separation should be carried out between the cable cleat and its mounting surface and the cleat’s mounting fixing.

All Ellis cable cleat products constructed from dissimilar metal are designed in a way that completely avoids bimetallic contact. As a result of this you can be confident that cable cleats will have a service life measured in decades.

All Ellis single stainless steel cable cleat are produced from 316L austenitic stainless steel.

In general, cable cleats are manufactured from austenitic stainless steel due to its non-magnetic and corrosion resistant properties – the former ensuring the cable cleat will not induce eddy currents or localised heating of the LV-HV cable. 

There are many different types of stainless steel, but there are two principal variants when it comes to cable cleats. 304 and 316 stainless steel are available in low carbon variants, namely 304L and 316L. These variants are immune to sensitisation (grain boundary carbide precipitation).

Any cable cleat which is manufactured from stainless steel and includes welding in the manufacturing process should be made in a low carbon (L) variant.

Should you require any further assistance in the selection or specification of stainless steel cable tie, MV Medium Voltage or HV High Voltage cables please do not hesitate to contact us. 

GALVANISED STEEL

Contracts often require a guarantee regarding the life expectancy of a cleat. If the installation is designed correctly and all other corrosion issues have been considered this is a relatively simple exercise for wing lock stainless steel cable tie. With galvanized steel, life expectancy is determined by the thickness of the zinc coating.