Cable gland

Would you like to protect cable entries in housings or devices from moisture, mechanical influences and dust? Then find out more about the possible uses of cable glands here. We will introduce you to the available materials and their properties and support you in your purchasing decision. In this catalog from the eibabo® shop you will find cable glands for all areas of application and from over 40 well-known manufacturers. Enjoy secure payment methods, fast shipping and worldwide delivery.

What are cable glands?

Cable glands fulfill different functions and are important components in cable management. This is a type of connector with which you can route cables and lines in housings or through bulkheads in a sealed and strain-relieved manner. Cable glands protect electrical lines in the terminal area of control cabinets, distribution boxes, plugs, control panels and other enclosures from:

sparks and flames
moisture, dust and other dirt
vibration
kinking and twisting
corrosion
flammable gases

These components are used almost everywhere in indoor and outdoor electrical installations. Depending on the area of application, additional properties must ensure compatibility under difficult environmental conditions. These include electromagnetism and the risk of explosion. Factory-made cable bushings on housings and devices usually have a thread into which a cable gland can be screwed. If required, you will receive suitable adapters as a reduction or extension. This allows you to adapt existing threads with a different dimension accordingly.

Notice

In addition to sealing and strain relief, cable glands also prevent the cable from kinking and damage to the insulating jacket on sharp-edged holes in metal sheets and side walls.

In the case of individually manufactured bushings (holes), you must fasten the cable gland with a counter nut.

How is a cable gland constructed?

A standard cable gland basically consists of a frame element / socket, cable lug clamp, seals, union nut, thread seal and lock nut. Seals provide the necessary protection against the ingress of moisture or solid particles. The union nut secures the cable with a cable lug clamp. The socket is clamped onto the device, the housing or the partition wall with the lock nut if this cannot be fastened with a thread. Please note that cable glands have to withstand very individual conditions. The structure of cable glands for special applications can be more complex or different.

Where are cable glands used?

In principle, cable glands can be found wherever electrical installations have to be carried out with particular care. This can even be the case for private installations. You will commonly find cable glands in industrial areas such as:

mechanical engineering and plant construction
the chemical industry and food production
in traffic engineering, in transport and in offshore installations
of automation and classic electrical engineering

In all these areas, cable glands have to meet a wide variety of requirements. When making your selection, please pay attention to functional parameters such as protection class, impact resistance and compatibility with explosions and electromagnetic radiation.

What are the properties of cable glands for hazardous areas?

Explosion-proof cable glands are mechanical devices for securely sealing a cable in particularly hazardous areas. These are often used in industry and in automation systems. Explosion proof cable glands protect and secure all types of electrical, telecom, data transmission and control cables. The main functions are:

Tight closing of the cable outer sheath and sealing of the cable entry into the electrical device
Protection of live cable parts and inner insulation from dust and moisture
Ensuring the continuity of the grounding circuit in case of sealing an armored cable (if the entrance has a metal structure)
secure cable holder, which offers a required resistance to cable pull
Maintaining the required level of explosion protection of the devices in which they are used

Special sealing methods are used to ensure these properties. These are compression seals, displacement seals, membrane seals and complex insulating seals by casting insulating compound. Sometimes a double seal is used.

Source: eibabo®, Jacob 50.640 PA/SW cable gland Image: Jacob 50.640 PA/SW cable gland

Which material should I choose for a cable gland?

Cable glands are available in different materials. These include some plastics and various metals. The material is a very important selection criterion to ensure a functioning application over the entire period of use. It should also match the cable material. This will prevent corrosion, excessive wear or damage. To make your choice easier, here is a brief overview of the materials:

Brass - for organic compounds, water, mineral oils, lubricants and fuels
nickel-plated brass - for organic and saline solutions
Stainless steel - for organic and oxidizing acids and bases as well as saline solutions
Corrosion Resistant Steel - For outdoor applications, seawater
PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) and PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) - for chemical compounds, high temperatures and mechanical stress
PA (polyamide) - is the standard material for general applications without special specifications
Nylon - for applications requiring high compressive strength
Silicone - when flexibility and tolerance to high temperatures are expected

This list does not claim to be complete. All materials can be equipped with different sealing inserts according to the respective application conditions. These include: acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, silicone, elastomer, fluorocarbon rubber and polyethylene.

What should I look out for when buying cable glands?

Cable glands are safety elements in electrical systems. Cable gland manufacturers offer a wide range of products, varying in material, size, seal type, connection type, protection level and load capacity. A cable gland should be selected according to the following parameters:

Type and size of the cable to be screwed (diameter, armored or unarmoured)

Cable glands are divided into different clamping ranges. Each clamping area is suitable for cables of a certain diameter range. Pay attention to the required thread size or the hole diameter of the housing.

Durability of the material under the respective conditions of use

Operating temperature, impact resistance, electromagnetic radiation, risk of explosion and mechanical stress should be taken into account when making a purchase decision. Also consider the compatibility with chemical substances.

cable routing

Is the cable installed permanently or flexibly? Accordingly, select cable glands with or without tolerance to movement.

TIP:

Cable glands with kink protection and bending protection have flexible lamellas or spirals that support the cable a few centimeters.

IP protection class

The first digit of the IP protection class indicates the compatibility with foreign bodies such as dust, dirt and physical contact. The second number describes the protection against water. Choose an IP protection class that meets your requirements.