IEC 61914:2015

Overview

IEC 61914:2015 - Cable cleats for electrical installations - is an international standard that specifies requirements and test methods for cable cleats and intermediate restraints used to secure electrical cables. It covers cleats that provide resistance to electromechanical forces (e.g., during short circuits) and cleats that rely on a manufacturer‑specified mounting surface for axial and/or lateral retention. Edition 2.0 (2015) replaces the 2009 edition and introduces technical and editorial updates to testing and declaration requirements.

Key Topics

• Scope and classification
  • Classification by material (metallic, non‑metallic, composite), temperature rating, impact resistance and type of retention (axial, lateral, electromechanical).
• Mechanical testing
  • Impact test, lateral load and axial load tests, and tests for resistance to electromechanical forces including short‑circuit performance.
• Short‑circuit testing
  • Requirements for specifying test current and cable arrangement, photographic documentation before/after tests, and declaration of cable centre distances.
• Environmental and durability tests
  • Resistance to UV light, corrosion (salt spray and other methods), fire hazards (flame propagation, smoke emission and toxicity), and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) considerations such as inductive heating.
• Marking and documentation
  • Requirements for durable marking, documentation of declared performance (e.g., retention orientation, temperature ranges) and test records.
• Annexes
  • Informative examples of cleat arrangements and Annex B for calculation of forces caused by short‑circuit currents (with limitations on formula use).

Significant technical changes in the 2015 edition include additional lateral retention declarations/tests, clarified short‑circuit test cable specification and ambient limits, revised UV test parameters, and stricter test reporting (photographs and cable details).

Applications

• Manufacturers - product design, type testing, performance claims and CE/third‑party certification.
• Specifiers and electrical designers - selection of appropriate cleats for cable management, safety margins for short‑circuit forces, and compliance with project specifications.
• Installers and contractors - guidance for mounting orientation, spacing and selection to meet declared axial/lateral retention.
• Testing laboratories and certification bodies - standardized test methods for type approval and verification.
• Asset owners and utilities - risk mitigation for cable support systems in substations, power plants, industrial and commercial installations.

Using IEC 61914 helps ensure cable retention systems withstand electromechanical forces, environmental exposure and fire hazards, improving safety and reducing asset damage during fault conditions.

Related Standards

• Standards on cable management systems, electrical installation practices, and short‑circuit current calculations (referenced normative documents in IEC 61914). Consult local regulations and complementary IEC/ISO standards for full compliance.