Girder Clips
Girder clips, also known as girder beam clips, are a type of cable clip that fastens directly onto girders (large iron or steel beams) so that wires or cables can be attached to the framework of a building, and are used during construction or installation of electrical equipment. Unlike girder threaded clamps, girder cable clips are hammered or clipped directly onto girders, with an eyelet or other aperture that allows the wire or cable to pass through.
How Do Girder Clips Work?
Girder clips grip securely onto wide flange beams and plate girders using tension or spring loading. The design allows for a tight and secure attachment that can be quickly installed and removed. The adjustable jaw of the girder beam clips open wide to adjust to various different beam types, making the beam clip a versatile piece of equipment for securing conduits or cables across work sites in Australia.
Girder Clips vs Beam Clamps
While both girder clips and beam clamps are used to attach items to beams, the primary distinction between these two fasteners lies in their method of attachment and the load they are designed to safely support.
Girder Clips (or Beam Clips)
- Primary Function: Used to attach and manage various items to beams such as: pipes, netting, cables or conduits.
- Installation: Quick, tool-free installation using spring tension or simple hammering.
- Load Rating: Light-duty, used solely for supporting cable runs, tubing, or electrical boxes.
Beam Clamps
- Primary Function: Structural and mechanical attachment. Beam clamps are used to support heavy equipment, pipe hangers, or threaded rods during construction or installation.
- Installation: Requires tooling. Typically involves threaded rods, bolts, or locking nuts to achieve maximum torque.
- Load Rating: Heavy-duty, designed to carry significant structural or mechanical loads safely.
Types of Girder Clips
Using the right girder clip is critical for ensuring secure, non-invasive attachment to structural steel, with different designs offering varying features for load distribution and corrosion resistance in Australian environments. These clips are primarily differentiated by their specific function and the type of infrastructure they are designed to manage.
I Beam Clips
I beam cable clips are engineered for general-purpose, non-electrical installations, providing attachment points for chain, wire, or threaded rods. They utilise a quick, tool-free installation method based on a strong spring-loaded or hammer-on mechanism to ensure a reliable attachment without damaging the underlying steel.
Electrical Girder Clips
These specialised electrical girder clips feature integrated attachment points, such as dedicated clamps, saddles, or offset loops, that are specifically sized to secure standard electrical conduit and armoured cable. Mechanically, they are engineered with a rigid, non-flexible structure to prevent crushing of wiring or bending of conduit, maintaining mandated minimum bend radii during installation for compliant runs of power and data cables.
Beam Clips for Conduit
Beam clips for conduit are a specialised subset of electrical girder clips, specifically featuring a curved saddle or secure channel sized precisely for the standardised diameter of rigid or flexible conduit. Their mechanical design ensures the conduit is held firmly against the flange, providing a neat, single-component solution for safely securing circular electrical pathways.
J-Hook Girder Clips
These girder clips incorporate an open-ended J-hook or cable tie mount, specifically intended for managing bundles of cables or low-voltage infrastructure. They are crucial as versatile cable clips for steel beams, offering easy, non-kinking support for communications or data runs.
Hammer-On Steel Girder Clips
These heavy-duty steel girder clips are designed for permanent installation, requiring a quick tap of a hammer to secure them firmly to the beam flange. Once installed, these robust girder clips offer a fixed, reliable attachment point, often used for supporting ductwork or heavier non-structural components.
Girder Clip Materials and Finishes
The performance and lifespan of girder clips are heavily determined by their material composition and protective finish. Choosing the right material ensures the beam clip maintains its structural integrity whether used indoors, outdoors, or in highly corrosive environments.
- Galvanised Steel: Standard galvanised steel girder clips provide a durable, sacrificial zinc layer offering general corrosion resistance, making them the default choice for dry, indoor commercial and light industrial applications across Australia.
- Zinc-Plated Finish: Zinc-plated girder clips offer a thin, bright finish that delivers basic protection against surface rust and is commonly used for interior i beam clips where the environment is dry and temperature-controlled.
- Stainless Steel: Stainless steel girder clips (particularly grade 316) offer maximum resistance against moisture, chemicals, and salt, making them the ideal choice for coastal, offshore, and petrochemical installations in Australia.
Industrial Applications of Girder Beam Clips
The non-invasive installation method of girder beam clips makes them essential fastening components for numerous sectors across Australia that can use quick, safe, and flexible cable management on structural steel.
- Commercial Electrical Installation: Electrical girder clips are used extensively in commercial fit-outs to route conduit and armoured cable securely along ceiling beams, ensuring efficient and compliant installation of lighting and power circuits.
- Data Centre and Network Infrastructure: Specialised cable clips for steel beams are used to manage large bundles of low-voltage data cables, preventing sagging and ensuring organized runs above server racks and throughout the facility.
- HVAC and Ductwork Suspension: Standard threaded girder clips provide a robust attachment point for threaded rod, which is then used to suspend ventilation ductwork and heavy pipe hangers across the ceiling space.
- Petrochemical and Marine Facilities: Corrosion-resistant stainless steel girder clips are mandatory in these harsh environments for securely mounting junction boxes and cable trays to the structural steel, resisting degradation from moisture and chemicals.
- Warehouse and Logistics: Beam clips for conduit are vital for quickly installing safety lighting, security cameras, and automated machinery wiring along racking and structural supports without compromising the integrity of the steel girder clips.
Girder Clip Manufacturer, Supplier and Distributor in Australia
As a leading supplier of industrial fasteners in Australia, RS offers a vast and carefully curated range of girder clips, ensuring professionals can easily source the perfect attachment for any project requirements. Our extensive inventory allows users to filter and select the correct beam clip by critical factors, including clamp type, holding weight capacity, channel size compatibility, material finish (such as stainless steel girder clips or galvanised options), and suitability for highly specialised applications.
RS partners with top manufacturers like nVent CADDY, Unistrut, and YALE, guaranteeing that all our girder beam clips are compliant and robust enough for the most demanding commercial and industrial use cases. Moreover, RS is your one-stop source for complete support infrastructure such as base plates, cantilever arms, and flat fittings, streamlining your project procurement needs. For more information on our delivery options and fees, please visit our delivery page.
