IEC 61914:2021

Overview

IEC 61914:2021 - Cable cleats for electrical installations - is the third edition international standard that specifies requirements and tests for cable cleats and intermediate restraints used to secure electrical cables. It defines performance criteria for retention (axial and lateral), resistance to electromechanical forces (including short‑circuit events), environmental durability, marking legibility, and compatibility with mounting surfaces. This 2021 edition supersedes IEC 61914:2015 and introduces several technical revisions to testing and classification.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and classification: Covers metallic, non‑metallic and composite cleats; classifications by temperature range, impact resistance, corrosion resistance and electromagnetic behaviour (inductive heating).
• Mechanical performance tests: Detailed lateral load, axial load and impact tests to verify retention and physical robustness. New axial load tests cover cleats securing more than one cable.
• Resistance to electromechanical forces: Test methods and classifications for cleats that must withstand forces generated during short‑circuit currents (single and multiple short‑circuit events).
• Test mandrels and liners: Clarified requirements for mandrels used in mechanical testing and a new definition and test requirements when liners or optional parts are used.
• Environmental durability: Corrosion resistance classes (including new classes for plated products), ultraviolet resistance for non‑metallic components, salt spray testing and other environmental influence tests.
• Marking and documentation: New requirements for durability and legibility of markings, plus documentation needed for correct selection and installation.
• Fire and EMC considerations: Requirements and tests for flame propagation, smoke emission/toxicity and inductive heating behaviour for cable arrangements used with cleats.

Practical applications

IEC 61914:2021 applies wherever secure cable retention is critical:

• Power generation plants, substations and switchgear rooms
• Industrial and petrochemical installations, offshore and marine environments
• Tunnels, rail and transport systems
• Commercial and high‑rise building electrical installations Use of compliant cable cleats ensures mechanical safety during fault conditions, improves cable routing reliability, reduces risk from cable whip or collapse, and supports regulatory compliance and insurance requirements.

Who should use this standard

• Cable cleat and restraint manufacturers (design, testing, CE/third‑party assessment)
• Electrical design engineers and specifiers selecting cleats for LV, MV and HV cable systems
• Installation and maintenance contractors
• Testing laboratories and certification bodies assessing compliance
• Procurement and asset‑management teams ensuring correct product selection

Related standards (guidance)

Refer to other IEC and national standards on electrical installation design, short‑circuit current calculation, cable performance and testing for integrated compliance and system safety.

Keywords: IEC 61914:2021, cable cleats, cable restraint, electrical installations, electromechanical forces, axial load, lateral retention, corrosion resistance, short‑circuit testing.