Rating of the best manufacturers of fittings for SIP for 2022

In order to properly install various electrical components, durable and strong wires or cables should always be used. As a rule, self-supporting insulated wires are chosen for such needs. The electrical network mounted with their help is quite capable of being operated without any complaints for up to 30 years. However, in order to carry out such installation work, not only the wire itself is needed, but also special fittings that will hold the cable.

Among energy professionals, such fittings received the marking "SIP fittings".Such special-purpose devices are used for fastening self-supporting wires on supports or facades of buildings, are used for distributing an electrical network, connecting energy consumers, and also for connecting bare wires of power lines at the point of their connection to the SIP at the transition point from an uninsulated surface to an insulated one. According to the maximum load, the fittings can be divided into two classes: up to 1 kV and high-voltage samples capable of holding from 6 to 20 kV. Due to the fact that the system for the manufacture and use of fasteners for self-supporting insulated wires is practically the same for the whole world, then all world manufacturers adhere to almost the same manufacturing technologies. Thus, for a clearer understanding of the question of which manufacturer to give preference to, you should become more familiar with the SIP reinforcement technology itself and its areas of application.

The main criteria that SIP fittings must meet

When choosing special fasteners for the installation of the electrical network, it is necessary to take into account the following important qualities of the samples used:

• Increased strength - fasteners should be made of metal (or other durable materials), which would not be subject to destruction due to vibrations and is resistant to increased loads.
• Corrosion resistance - this is especially true for high-voltage fittings, which are necessarily treated with special compounds that prevent the occurrence of rust. This is done with the aim that such fasteners are most often installed outdoors.
• Resistant to extreme weather conditions - fasteners must be able to withstand temperature fluctuations, increase / decrease in humidity, and be resistant to increased ultraviolet background. The operating standards for SIP fittings are considered to be limits from -40 to +80 degrees Celsius.
• Ease of installation and operation - modern samples should be easy to mount and be easy to use, their model range should be wide enough and correspond to various tasks.

As a rule, the manufacturer indicates the most basic technical characteristics of fasteners in the accompanying documents.

Materials for the manufacture of fasteners for SIP

Usually, any manufacturer (both domestic and foreign) tries to use high-quality materials in their production, because the technical serviceability of the entire electrical network in which they will be used depends on this. Typically these materials are:

• Resistant polymer;
• Stainless steel;
• aluminum alloys.

In addition, for linear reinforcement, which is used for fastening to poles and supports, an additional special conclusion is issued from the energy testing laboratory. In conclusion, it is confirmed that, for example, braces or a bandage fully comply with the criteria of reliability, durability and mechanical strength.

The main existing types of SIP fittings

These primarily include:

• Anchor bracket - it carries out the fastening of anchor (anchor) clamps on the main line of the SIP. As a rule, it is made of aluminum alloys, which are slightly susceptible to rust and calmly survive low ambient temperatures. In the process of fixing them, a bandage tape made of "stainless steel" is used.
• Branch clamp - it is necessary to create a stable contact, which is ensured by contact plates located in the structure and made of tinned copper. Contact can be made even for wires with a small cross section. This type of fitting is suitable for connecting cable cores with a cross section of 6-150 mm2, in lines with cores with a cross section of 1.5-6 mm2 (standard street lighting), as well as for conducting an electrical network to a private house.
• Anchor clamp - this device can be used to fasten SIP on branch inputs up to 1 kV. Inside the body of this fastener, special wedges made of thermoplastic are installed, due to which a reliable connection with the wire cores is created without damaging its insulation. These fasteners are made of weather resistant polymers. Also, in this type of clamps, a special loop is used, made of steel according to the “hot galvanized” principle.
• Intermediate clamp - this type of fitting is used for the self-supporting SIP-4 system, which has two or four cores connected to corner / intermediate supports. The body of such a device is usually made resistant to increased exposure to sunlight.
• Hook standard - this fastener is used for mounting trunk lines "on the air". It is made of steel (galvanized) and is attached to the pole / support by means of a couple of steel tapes. With its help, you can fix wires to reinforced concrete, metal and wooden poles, as well as fix fasteners on structures or buildings.

It is worth remembering that the above are only elements that are used in almost all sets of fittings for SIP. In turn, depending on the tasks to be performed, the set may include: various keys, winches, tie-down straps, connecting sleeves, surge arresters, etc. You need to know that, as such, there is no universal set of fittings for SIP .

How to choose / install some types of clamps

Professionals advise:

• Anchor clamps that are used for trunk cables, in addition to rust protection, SHOULD withstand a breaking load in the range from 1500 to 2200 kg.
• Branch clamps must be equipped with a shear head made of aluminum that is resistant to rust. This head will allow you to install the clamp without the use of special keys. This design will greatly save time when it is necessary to transfer a subscriber branch to the main part and back. Otherwise, when bolting, the use of a special wrench will be required.
• Branch cable transformation.Sometimes it is possible to use piercing clamps - this operation may be necessary when it is not necessary to replace the SIP itself in the electrical network, but it is only necessary to cut the main wire and use the clamp to connect the connection to the subscriber. These clamps are made in a rubberized housing and are fastened with an ordinary clamp bolt terminal.
• Most clamps allow multiple cable connections. When using moisture-resistant samples, for example, there is no need for additional insulation of the cores, in addition, the reliability of the electrical contact on the cable itself increases. Sealed clamps can generally be installed without removing the voltage, however, to control the situation, it is better to use a special clamp with a monitoring adapter.

It is important to remember that SIP fittings are not separate clamps, anchors, other devices - this is a whole set of tools, the correct selection of which guarantees long-term and reliable operation of the electrical network, as well as safe repair work. Currently, there are several standards for fittings for self-supporting insulated wires: from the ordinary "SIP" to the advanced "SIP-4".

Scope of fittings for self-supporting insulated wires

If in former times the laying of a self-supporting wire could be carried out without appropriate fittings, then in the modern world it will be impossible to perform a whole range of certain works without it, for example:

• Connect the cable to the transformer;
• Protect the electrical network from possible overloads;
• Create various branches (from production to subscriber);
• Bring the newly created electric main to the consumer with a guarantee of its reliable fastening.

Among other things, the use of SIP fittings provides a high level of safety and on an ongoing basis allows you to maintain a high resource of the electric line.

Rating of the best manufacturers of fittings for SIP for 2022

domestic producers

The analysis of the market in this segment shows that the Russian manufacturer is represented in it extremely poorly. This is due to the long stagnation in this area, which occurred in the 90s and 2000s. Only now, domestic enterprises are trying to set up the production of their own products that can compete with Western brands. However, great success in this field will have to wait for a long time.

2nd place: JSC "Irkutskkabel"

Despite its considerable age, the company is a complete novice in the market for the sale of fittings for self-supporting insulated wire. Recently, its production has been focused exclusively on the production of cable products, so the manufacture of fittings is, as it were, a side sector of production.

• Relative cheapness;
• Compliance of manufactured types of fittings with GOST standards;
• A constantly expanding list of products.

• Little experience in the market;
• Low quality products;
• Limited current range;
• Orientation to large customers (the goods practically do not go to retail).

1st place: JSC "MZVA" (Moscow plant of high-voltage fittings)

Truly the best Russian manufacturer in this sector. Despite the fact that it has been producing SIP fittings for more than 50 years, it has only reached the level of competition with world brands in the last 8 years. The plant has huge production facilities located in the Nizhny Novgorod region, which allows it to produce the entire range of products according to the SIP-2, SIP-3, SIP-4 standards.He is the owner of more than 20 patents (namely, patents, that is, officially recognized own developments).

• Constantly expanding product catalog;
• Application in fittings of technologies that have no analogues (special alloy in branch clamps);
• It is planned to launch a new line for the production of linear fittings for SIP in 2022;
• Products are fully adapted to Russian weather conditions.

• In terms of assortment and variability of goods, it is inferior to world brands.

Foreign manufacturers

The leading role in the world market in this segment is occupied by French companies. Their products for SIP began to be supplied in the very early period of the Soviet state. Significant experience in this production plays a special role, so their products are in demand all over the world.

3rd place: Finnish company Ensto

The company is focused on the production of fittings that can work reliably in a cold maritime climate. In Russia, its products are licensed according to SIP, SIP-2 and SIP-4 standards. He does not consider it necessary to use metal in his products, preferring heavy-duty polymers. On the one hand, this leads to cheaper prices, and on the other hand, it reduces wear resistance. The company is the main supplier of SIP fittings in Poland, Germany, Sweden. In the Russian Federation, it prefers to work only in the regions of the European North, for which its products are more suitable.

• A well-known brand specializing in equipment for cold sea climates;
• Wide model range;
• Most clamps have pyramidal teeth for a secure grip on icy surfaces.

• Limited scope (areas with low temperature conditions).

2nd place: French company Niled

One of the oldest companies in the production of fasteners for self-supporting insulated wires, which has a representative office on Russian soil since 1932 (currently the representative office is called NILED-TD LLC). Produces fittings for SIP-1, SIP-2, SIP-4. It should be noted that only assembly is carried out in the Russian Federation - original spare parts come from France. Especially for the Russian market, the company unified its products, adjusting the requirements for their production to GOSTs. Most models of the model range are equipped with special devices that facilitate the installation / dismantling of reinforcement (for example, anchor clamps are equipped exclusively with aluminum shear heads, bolt fastenings (for special keys) are completely excluded).

• Due to the presence of the Russian representative office, much attention is paid to the technical support of products;
• Technologies have been developed for the use of SIP fittings in the harsh weather conditions of Russia (up to -30 degrees Celsius);
• It is an official supplier to more than 40 Russian energy systems.

• Fairly high prices.

1st place: French company Simel

Another partner since the formation of the Soviet Union, is currently under the control of the American "Tyco Electronics", in connection with which it was forced to reduce its presence in the Russian market. The manufactured fittings for SIP are necessarily supplied with a heat-shrinkable outer element, but this only applies to SIP-2 standards. In clamps, he prefers to use both heavy-duty polymers and metal structures, which allows him to significantly expand the range.At one time, the company decided to produce shear heads for clamps also from thermoplastic, and not from aluminum, which slightly reduced the interest of the domestic consumer in its product.

• The company has extensive experience in the market;
• The assortment range is quite wide;
• Application of various materials.

• It does not have its own representative office in the Russian Federation, which increases the price of fittings.

Instead of an epilogue

Competently summing up the electrical line to a specific object requires some knowledge in electrical engineering. In addition, it is also necessary to understand the SIP reinforcement toolkit that will be used for these works. Any mistake made in this process can result not only in interruptions in the supply of electricity, but also cause damage to the life and health of people (for example, during repair work). Thus, it is better to select SIP fittings together with a knowledgeable specialist who will orient the potential buyer regarding the price and the installation / repair task. It is preferable to make a purchase through online stores from well-known and well-established Western brands in the Russian Federation. However, if the task is to significantly save financial resources, then the products of MZVA JSC will come in handy.

It is worth recalling that work using SIP fittings must be carried out in accordance with the "Rules for the operation of electrical installations", and the person conducting them must have a special permit in the field of energy security. Otherwise, you can "run into" a rather big fine from the regulatory authorities - from the State Fire Supervision to Energy Supervision.