ATEX Static Grounding Clamps and Earthing Cables
ATEX Static Grounding Clamps and Earthing Cables
TIMM Bite grounding clamps and spiral earthing cables are used where conductive drums, containers, tankers or plant equipment need to be grounded or bonded as part of a site’s static control procedure.
Exloc holds common Large Bite and Basic Bite clamp assemblies in stock, with additional TIMM Bite clamp types, cable lengths, coatings and end terminations available to order. This allows the assembly to be matched to the item being connected, the required reach and the available earthing or bonding point on site.
The stainless steel clamp designs use spring force and grounding teeth to help establish contact with the base metal of the item being grounded or bonded.
ATEX Certified Clamp Assemblies
Stock Large Bite and Basic Bite clamp assemblies are listed for use in Zone 1 / 21 hazardous areas, with Ex marking II 2G Ex h IIC T6 Gb and II 2D Ex h IIIC T80°C Db.
Stainless Steel Construction
Manufactured from Stainless Steel 304, with rugged construction for demanding industrial environments.
Strong Mechanical Contact
Spring-loaded clamp designs and stainless steel teeth help create a secure connection to suitable conductive surfaces.
Common Stock Assemblies
Large Bite with 5m spiral cable and Basic Bite with 3m spiral cable are available as common stock assemblies.
Stock Clamp & Cable Assemblies
Large Bite Clamp with 5m Spiral Cable
The Large Bite Clamp is intended for larger conductive items where a more substantial clamp body, wider opening and strong spring force are required. Typical applications include metal drums, large containers, road tankers, rail tanker wagons and other conductive plant items in ATEX hazardous areas.
Key specification
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel 304, 1.4301 |
| Teeth | Hardened stainless steel teeth |
| Tooth arrangement | Both teeth on one side |
| Spring force | Powerful spring force |
| Cable connection | 8mm lug with strain relief |
| Overall length | 230mm |
| Opening width | 40mm |
| Hazardous area suitability | Zone 1 / 21 |
| Ex marking | II 2G Ex h IIC T6 Gb / II 2D Ex h IIIC T80°C Db |
Basic Bite Clamp with 3m Spiral Cable
The Basic Bite Clamp is a compact stainless steel option for smaller conductive items. It is suited to applications such as small to medium-sized drums, containers, canisters, buckets, filling funnels and smaller plant components.
Key specification
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless Steel 304, 1.4301 |
| Teeth | Stainless steel teeth |
| Tooth arrangement | One tooth on each side |
| Spring force | Strong spring force |
| Cable connection | 4mm lug |
| Overall length | 132mm |
| Opening width | 30mm |
| Hazardous area suitability | Zone 1 / 21 |
| Ex marking | II 2G Ex h IIC T6 Gb / II 2D Ex h IIIC T80°C Db |
Spiral Cables
TIMM spiral cables are used to connect the clamp assembly to a suitable earthing point, grounding bar or second conductive item, depending on the application. The cable can be supplied with a clamp and 10mm lug, clamps at both ends, or lugs at both ends.
The standard spiral cable uses a 4mm² steel braided core with green coating. The steel core provides improved durability compared with copper cable.
Spiral cables should not be used under high tension. Where additional reach is required, a longer cable should be selected rather than stretching a shorter one. For example, to cover a distance of approximately 2m, a 5m cable should be used instead of a 3m cable.
Exloc holds common clamp and cable assemblies in stock, including a 5m spiral cable with the Large Bite Clamp and a 3m spiral cable with the Basic Bite Clamp. A 10m cable is available to order, along with green/yellow striped cable options.
Key specification
| Option | Available configurations |
|---|---|
| Cable type | Spiral cable or smooth cable |
| Cable length | 3m and 5m stock assemblies, 10m available to order |
| End terminations | Clamp and 10mm lug, clamp at both ends, or lugs at both ends |
| Cable coating | Green coating as standard, green/yellow striped coating available to order |
| Stock assemblies | Large Bite Clamp with 5m spiral cable, Basic Bite Clamp with 3m spiral cable |
Choosing the right clamp and cable assembly
Selecting the correct grounding clamp is not only a question of cable length. The size of the item being grounded, the surface condition, the required reach, and whether the application requires grounding or bonding all affect the most suitable assembly.
For larger conductive items such as road tankers, rail tanker wagons, large drums and containers, the Large Bite Clamp provides a more robust option with a wider opening, powerful spring force and hardened stainless steel teeth. For smaller conductive items such as canisters, buckets, filling funnels and small to medium-sized drums, the Basic Bite Clamp provides a more compact grounding or bonding solution.
The cable configuration should also match the application. A clamp and 10mm lug assembly is typically used where the clamp connects a conductive item to a fixed earthing point or grounding bar. A clamp at both ends may be more suitable for bonding two conductive items together, while lug-to-lug assemblies can be used where fixed connection points are already provided.
Where a site requires verified earth connection, clamp status indication or road tanker recognition, a simple clamp and cable assembly may not be sufficient on its own. In these cases, Exloc can advise on suitable static grounding and earth monitoring systems.
FAQ
What is the difference between grounding, earthing and bonding?
In UK industrial language, “earthing” and “grounding” are often used to describe creating a conductive path to earth. “Bonding” usually means connecting two conductive items together so that they remain at the same electrical potential. The correct arrangement depends on the site procedure, the equipment being used and the cable configuration selected.
Are these clamps suitable for ATEX hazardous areas?
The stock Large Bite and Basic Bite clamp assemblies shown on this page are listed for Zone 1 / 21 hazardous areas, with Ex marking II 2G Ex h IIC T6 Gb and II 2D Ex h IIIC T80°C Db. Suitability should always be confirmed against the specific hazardous area classification and application.
Can the cables be stretched tightly?
No. Spiral cables should not be used under high tension. If a clamp is accidentally released while the cable is stretched, it may spring back towards the operator or nearby equipment. Where additional reach is required, a longer cable should be selected.
Can Exloc supply other clamp types?
Yes. Exloc holds common Large Bite and Basic Bite clamp assemblies in stock, with other TIMM Bite clamp types available to order depending on the application.
