Brass DC Clips for Copper Tapes

Brass DC Clips for Copper Tapes

Brass DC clips — also called tape DC clips, flat tape clips, copper tape clips, or earthing tape clips — are precision-machined or pressed brass fittings used to fix, secure, or terminate flat copper tape conductors to structural surfaces, earth terminals, and earthing busbars in lightning protection, earthing, and equipotential bonding systems. Manufactured by Electrical Accessories India (Jamnagar) from leaded brass (CW614N) and dezincification-resistant brass (CW602N), DC clips provide a quick and reliable mechanical connection for copper tape in sizes from 20 mm × 3 mm to 40 mm × 4 mm. They are used across lightning protection installations per IEC 62305-3, building earthing per IS 3043 and BS 7430, and LV installation bonding per BS 7671 and IS 732. DC clips offer a cost-effective solution for above-ground tape fixing and light-duty tape connections where the full mechanical strength of a bolted square clamp is not required.

Product Overview

DC Clip Design and Operating Principle

The term “DC clip” in British earthing and lightning protection practice refers to a flat-tape gripping clip, typically produced in a D-shaped or C-shaped profile that springs around the tape and locks it in position on a surface or terminal. The clip body may be a spring-type (no fasteners — clips directly onto tape) or a bolt-tightened type (single bolt draws two halves together over the tape). Electrical Accessories India supplies precision-machined brass DC clips that are formed from brass plate or rod stock to accept specific tape widths with a close fit, providing both mechanical securing and electrical contact. The clip design ensures that the tape cannot slide or rotate once installed, maintaining contact quality over the service life of the installation. Related terms: flat tape clip, copper tape DC clip, tape snap clip, earthing tape fixing, lightning protection tape clip, BS 7430 tape connector.

Material: Leaded Brass and DZR Brass

Brass DC clips are manufactured from leaded brass CW614N (IS 319 Grade 1, ASTM B16 C36000) for standard above-ground applications and dezincification-resistant (DZR) brass CW602N (ASTM B283 C35330) for installations in humid, coastal, or mildly corrosive environments where standard brass dezincification is a concern. CW614N provides excellent machinability and a clean finish, making it the standard material for the majority of DC clip production. DZR brass CW602N contains small additions of arsenic (0.02–0.06%) that inhibit the dezincification mechanism, extending service life in corrosive conditions without the cost premium of silicon bronze. For direct-buried tape connections, silicon bronze or bronze clamps (see Bronze Square Tape Clamps) are recommended. Related standards: BS EN 12164 CW614N, BS EN 12165 CW602N, IS 319, ASTM B16, ASTM B283.

Copper Tape Sizes and Dimensional Range

Brass DC clips are stocked for the most common copper tape sizes used in lightning protection and earthing systems: 20 mm × 3 mm, 25 mm × 3 mm, 25 mm × 4 mm, 30 mm × 3 mm, 32 mm × 3 mm, 40 mm × 3 mm, and 40 mm × 4 mm. The clip channel width is matched to the tape width to ±0.3 mm, providing a snug fit that prevents tape movement. Clip depth accommodates the tape thickness with the bolt-tightened variant providing additional compression on the tape face. Custom sizes for non-standard tape dimensions are available. For larger tapes (50 mm × 6 mm or above), the bronze square tape clamp is recommended instead of a DC clip. Related terms: 25×3 tape clip, 40×4 copper tape clip, DC clip 25mm, DC clip 40mm, BS 7430 tape clip.

Above-Ground Applications and Surface Fixing

Brass DC clips are primarily intended for above-ground installations on building facades, cable trays, concrete walls, and structural steelwork. The clip body is designed to receive a fixing screw through the back face, allowing it to be mounted to any suitable surface using a standard wood screw, masonry anchor, or machine screw. The copper tape then clips or is bolted into the channel. This provides simultaneous mechanical fixing of the tape and electrical continuity at the clip body. In lightning protection installations, DC clips are used to secure down conductor tapes at regular intervals (typically 500 mm to 1000 mm centres per IEC 62305-3). In building earthing, they are used to anchor copper tape conductors along their route and at terminal connections. Related terms: tape fixing clip, tape saddle clip, lightning tape mounting clip, down conductor tape fixing, surface-mount tape clip.

Electrical Connection Quality and Limitations

Brass DC clips provide an electrical connection between the copper tape and the clip body (and any connected surface or terminal). In pure tape-fixing (saddle) applications, the clip-to-tape contact resistance is not critical as the tape forms the continuous conductor. In tape-junction applications, the clip must provide adequate contact area and pressure for a reliable low-resistance joint. DC clips are not rated for high fault current (short-circuit) duty — for fault current-carrying tape joints, bolted bronze square tape clamps are specified. DC clips are rated for use in lightning protection where the impulse discharge current passes through the tape and the clip provides continuity at the fixing point. Related terms: DC clip contact resistance, tape saddle electrical rating, lightning protection clip rating, tape clip impulse current.

Comparison with Bronze Square Tape Clamps

Brass DC clips and bronze square tape clamps serve overlapping but distinct functions. DC clips: lower cost, lighter duty, primarily above-ground, suit smaller tape cross-sections, provide fixing + light electrical contact. Bronze square tape clamps: higher cost, heavier duty, suitable for buried and surface, full fault-current rated, larger tape sizes, bolted joint. For lightning protection down conductor fixing, DC clips are standard. For substation ring earth conductor splices or fault-current rated joints, bronze square tape clamps are specified. Electrical Accessories India supplies both product families to cover the full range of copper tape installation requirements. Related terms: tape clamp vs tape clip, bronze clamp vs brass clip, heavy duty vs light duty tape connector.

Key Features

• Brass DC clips for above-ground copper tape fixing and light-duty tape connections
• Available in leaded brass CW614N (standard) and DZR brass CW602N (corrosion-resistant)
• Tape sizes: 20×3 mm to 40×4 mm standard; custom sizes available
• Surface-mount design with back-face fixing hole for screw or anchor installation
• Spring-type and bolt-tightened variants available
• Cost-effective solution for lightning protection tape fixing per IEC 62305-3
• Compliant with IS 3043, BS 7430, IEC 62305-3 for above-ground tape installations
• Not for direct burial — use bronze square tape clamps for buried applications
• Available with nickel or tin plating for enhanced corrosion protection
• High-volume manufacturing: suitable for large project quantities

Material Grades and International Equivalents

Technical Specifications

Product Types and Variants

• Spring-Type DC Clip: No fasteners — clips directly onto tape; used for temporary fixing or cable management
• Single-Bolt DC Clip: M6 or M8 bolt draws two halves together over tape; secure permanent fixing
• Surface-Mount Fixing Clip (Saddle): Back hole for screw mounting to wall/structural surface + tape channel
• Corner/Angle DC Clip: For routing tape around 90° corners on building facades
• DZR Brass Clip: DZR brass CW602N for humid or mildly corrosive above-ground environments
• Nickel-Plated Clip: Enhanced corrosion and aesthetic finish for visible installations

Applications in Industry

• Lightning Protection: Down conductor tape fixing at intervals per IEC 62305-3 — typically 500–1000 mm spacing on building facades
• Building Earthing: Copper tape anchor clips along conductor routes in cable ducts, cable trays, and on structural steelwork
• Substation Earthing (Above Ground): Tape fixing clips for above-ground sections of earth ring conductors and busbar tape connections
• Telecom / Data Centres: Copper tape bonding clips for earthing conductor routing in raised floor and cable management systems
• Industrial Plants: Static earthing tape fixing on process equipment, tanks, and pipelines
• Solar Farms: DC grounding copper tape clips for fixing bonding conductors on mounting structures
• Shipbuilding / Marine: Naval brass or DZR brass DC clips for earthing tape systems in marine environments

Manufacturing Process

1. Material: Leaded brass CW614N or DZR brass CW602N bar/plate stock with material certificate
2. CNC Machining / Pressing: Clip body formed by CNC turning, milling, or press forming depending on variant
3. Tape Channel: Channel width machined or pressed to tape width ±0.3 mm; depth to tape thickness + clearance
4. Fixing Hole: Back-face fixing hole drilled and countersunk or clearance-drilled for M6/M8 screw
5. Bolt Hole Threading: Threaded M6 or M8 for bolt-tightened variants
6. Deburring and Finishing: Barrel tumbling or hand deburring; natural brass or electroplating as specified
7. Dimensional Inspection: Channel width, depth, fixing hole position verified per drawing
8. Packing: Poly bag with hardware (bolts/screws); bulk carton with MTC

Quality Standards and Certifications

• IS 3043 – Code of Practice for Earthing (India)
• BS 7430 – Code of Practice for Protective Earthing (UK)
• IEC 62305-3 – Physical Damage to Structures and Life Hazard (Lightning Protection)
• BS EN 12164 – Copper Alloy Rod for Free Machining Purposes (CW614N)
• BS EN 12165 – Copper Alloy Wrought Products (DZR CW602N)
• ASTM B16 / ASTM B283 – Brass Rod and DZR Brass Standards
• ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System
• RoHS Compliant

Why Choose Electrical Accessories India

• High-volume precision machining of DC clips — consistent dimensional quality at competitive pricing
• Both standard CW614N and DZR CW602N brass available from stock
• Full range from 20×3 mm to 40×4 mm tape sizes; custom sizes machined to drawing
• Spring-type and bolt-tightened variants; surface-mount and corner clips in range
• Nickel and tin plating options for visible or corrosion-sensitive installations
• Suitable for large project quantities with short lead times from Jamnagar
• Export to 30+ countries with full documentation: MTCs, RoHS, Packing Lists
• Complementary product range: Bronze Square Tape Clamps, Brass Square Tape Clamps for full tape hardware supply

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is a DC clip and why is it called that?

A DC clip is a flat copper tape clip used in earthing and lightning protection installations. The “DC” designation originates from British earthing hardware terminology and refers to the clip’s D-shaped or C-shaped cross-section profile that grips the flat tape conductor. It is also called a flat tape clip, tape DC clip, or copper tape fixing clip.

Can DC clips be used underground or in buried applications?

Standard brass DC clips are not recommended for direct burial. Brass is susceptible to dezincification in buried soil conditions over time. For buried copper tape connections, use our Bronze Square Tape Clamps (silicon bronze or LG2 gunmetal) instead, which are specifically designed for buried earthing applications.

What tape sizes do your DC clips accommodate?

Standard sizes: 20×3, 25×3, 25×4, 30×3, 32×3, 40×3, and 40×4 mm flat copper tape. Custom channel dimensions for non-standard tape sizes are machined to drawing. For tapes 50 mm wide or thicker than 4 mm, we recommend bronze square tape clamps.

What is the difference between a DC clip and a tape saddle clamp?

A DC clip is specifically for copper flat tape and combines a tape channel with a surface-fixing feature. A tape saddle clamp is a broader term that includes any mechanical fixing that holds a tape against a surface. All DC clips are effectively saddle clamps, but not all saddle clamps are DC clips — the DC clip designation specifically denotes the flat tape profile and gripping mechanism.

Do you supply fixing screws or anchors with the DC clips?

Fixing hardware (machine screws for metal surfaces, masonry anchors for concrete/brick) is available as an accessory but is not included as standard with DC clips. Please specify your surface type and we can recommend appropriate fixing hardware.

What is DZR brass and when should I specify it for DC clips?

DZR (dezincification-resistant) brass CW602N contains arsenic additions that prevent the preferential dissolution of zinc from the brass alloy in corrosive water or humid environments. Specify DZR DC clips for installations in coastal areas, high-humidity environments, or where the clips may be exposed to condensation or water ingress — even if not directly buried.

Can DC clips be used for copper tape connections in lightning protection systems?

Yes. DC clips are widely used in lightning protection installations for securing down conductor tapes to building facades at the fixing intervals required by IEC 62305-3. At actual tape-to-tape joints or tape-to-earth rod connections, a full bolted tape clamp (bronze or brass square tape clamp) should be used for fault current-rated connections.

Do you supply nickel-plated DC clips for decorative or visible installations?

Yes. Nickel-plated and tin-plated brass DC clips are available for installations where natural brass appearance is not acceptable — such as on building facades, architectural metalwork, or in buildings where aesthetic requirements must be met. Electroplating thickness is typically 5–10 μm nickel.

Equivalent Terms – Multilingual Reference

Related Products and Linked Terms

• Copper Bonded Earth Rods
• Bronze Ground Rod Clamps
• Bronze Copper Grounding Clamps
• Earth Tags Brass
• Brass Earth Blocks
• Brass A Clamps
• Bronze Transformer Ground Connectors
• Silicon Bronze Castings
• DZR Brass Machined Parts
• Bronze Ground Rod Couplers

Request a Quote

To request pricing for brass DC clips for copper tape, specify: tape size (width × thickness in mm), clip variant (spring-type or bolt-tightened), material (CW614N standard brass or CW602N DZR brass), surface finish (natural / nickel-plated / tin-plated), and quantity.

Contact us: Send your RFQ with tape dimensions, clip type, and quantity. We respond within 24 business hours. Export to 30+ countries with full documentation.