Emperor cable cleats from Ellis will be installed in the first five of the Ministry of Defence’s new generation of Astute class nuclear powered submarines after BAE Systems confirmed a repeat specification for the fifth boat in the fleet.
The north Yorkshire-based manufacturer received its first order from BAE Systems Maritime Submarines back in 2003, with the BAE site in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria taking delivery of the latest order just last month.
Throughout the duration of the project Ellis has supplied bespoke two-, four-, six- and nine-way versions of its Emperor cleats, a standard trefoil version, and its Protect cable straps.
The Astute class is the latest class of nuclear powered Royal Navy submarines. Seven boats in total are to be constructed, the first of which, Astute, was launched in 2007 and commissioned in 2010. The second, Ambush, was launched in January 2011 and successfully completed its initial dive test in September.
Ellis is a leading voice in the campaign to have cable cleats reclassified as short-circuit protection devices. A move that would mean their importance would be placed on a parallel with fuses and circuit breakers.
Paul Nolan, UK sales manager for Ellis, commented, “This reclassification makes absolute sense. In the event of a fault, the forces between cables reach their peak in the first quarter cycle, which is the point that cleats earn their crust. In contrast, circuit breakers typically interrupt the fault after three or even five cycles by which time, if the cleats are underspecified, the cables will no longer be secure, but will be putting vital electrical installations and lives at unnecessary risk.”
