How far apart should cable clips be?

Our latest guide looks at the IET Wiring Regulations in relation to the recommended distances between cable clips.

What are IET wiring regulations?

The IET (Institute of Engineering & Technology) is recognised as the authority on electrical installations; it collaborates with the British Standards Institution (BSI) to co-publish the IET Wiring Regulations. The wiring regulations set out the national standard that all domestic and industrial wiring has to conform to. The 18th edition came into force in January 2019 and the most recent amendment, Amendment 2, came into effect in March 2022.

What does the 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations cover?

The 18th Edition was brought about following fire related incidents that resulted in fatalities and incidents where members of the public and firefighters were caught up in falling cables. To reduce the risk from cables collapsing in a fire, the 18th Edition focused on the way cables are secured in installations.

How far apart should cable clips be?

The following recommendations are for PVC cables that run both horizontally and vertically:

For MICC cables, recommendations are as follows:

These recommendations are for the maximum permitted distance between fixings (for flat cables, the diameter is considered to be the widest dimension).

For cabling that passes through entry and exit routes in a building, including escape routes, plastic cable clips must not be used as the main method of cable support, although they can be used to supplement metal fixings.

In the home or office, cable clips play an important part in cable management. Round wire cable clips are indispensable in securing cables that run along skirting or round doorways to reduce the risk from tripping, and should be placed a maximum of 30 cm apart to prevent the wire or cable from being allowed to hang down. Bell wire cable clips are used for cables in electrical wiring; as they can be used in masonry and particle board, they are the perfect solution for securing wiring for door bells and telephones. 

Cable clips do not hide cables or wires from view, but they are the most effective way to keep them neatly secured to a surface, and there are several types of cable clip available.  Our article, ‘What do you use cable clips for?’ runs through the various types we stock at cableties-online and explains how to use them. For all other questions you may have, our experienced sales team is available by phone on 01623 412160 or email at sales@cableties-online.co.uk