Cable ties in CUs and DBs

Pete999 · Mar 12, 2015

I have just been viewing the other forums out of boredom, and was surprised by how many Installers cable tie the different conductors together when connecting up the circuits.

Personally I don't like it, but that's my opinion as an individual, not sure if there are any regulations, recommendations regarding this, and wondered what your thoughts on this subject are.

uksparks · Mar 12, 2015

I used to, but don't any more.

NDG Elecs · Mar 13, 2015

Never have done in domestic. Seems a bit silly to group unsheathed cables that can and do get quite warm all together in my view.

Marvo · Mar 13, 2015

On power distribution we don't because of issues with wires getting hot in the middle of a bunch but for control panels we always use cable straps or ties or whatever you call them to assist in keeping the wiring neat during assembly. Depending on the trunking layout we usually remove all the ones in awkward places and leave maybe a third of them in place before packaging.

jonny705 · Mar 13, 2015

Universal toolbox, all the items you will ever need - Zip ties/Silicone/Duct tape.

I swear half the worlds help up by these things

appspark · Mar 14, 2015

All the guys at my work when doing a new db will bring all browns together, tie wrap, blues, tie wrap, then earths, tie wrap. This drives me mental, yes it looks neat but the second the 1st year traps half the cables putting trunking lid on and it shoots sparks out the far end i end up having to trace each circuit, cutting all these tie wraps to replace the circuit. looks neat but a total pain in the backside.

davesparks · Mar 14, 2015

I might use a couple of ties in a DB but in something like a dimmer where there's isn't really the space I will normally use spiral wrap.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Cable ties in CUs and DBs

Andy78 · Mar 14, 2015

Copped a couple of -------ings in the past for tie wrapping cables together. Was enough to get me out of the habit of being overly neat.

Anyone ever used panel trunking in a 3 phase DB to keep conductors neat ? It's something I have wanted to try for a while but not had the opportunity.

TJ Anderson · Mar 14, 2015

davesparks said:
I might use a couple of ties in a DB but in something like a dimmer where there's isn't really the space I will normally use spiral wrap.

View attachment 28396
View attachment 28397

That's even worse for heat dissipation!!

shanky887614 · Mar 14, 2015

Andy78 said:
Copped a couple of -------ings in the past for tie wrapping cables together. Was enough to get me out of the habit of being overly neat.

Anyone ever used panel trunking in a 3 phase DB to keep conductors neat ? It's something I have wanted to try for a while but not had the opportunity.

yeah, we use a fair bit of panel trunking.

it saves a lot of time and its cheap