Cable Glands: Types, Installation and Selection

Modern infrastructures rely on electrical cables, which power homes, businesses, transportation, industrial machinery, telecommunications, automation systems, oil refineries, etc. Therefore, all cables should be installed and secured properly to prevent damage, malfunctions, and potential electrical hazards.

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Cable glands are one of the most useful electrical components for electronic systems that need to function in challenging industrial environments. By investing in a cable gland and cable protection product, businesses can ensure that their critical electrical equipment and cable fittings are properly safeguarded against the elements.

There are not all industrial applications that need cable glands, but in cases where systems are regularly subjected to excessive stress, plastic or metal cable glands can be significantly beneficial. This electric wiring component can help to avoid the costs and lost efficiency associated with breakdowns and system downtime and is therefore invaluable.

Here, we will delve into the details of cable glands, covering their types, installation methods, and key considerations for selection.

What are Cable Glands?

Cable glands, also known as cable connectors or cable fittings, are electrical connectors designed to attach and secure the ends of an electrical cable to the equipment. They provide strain relief and seal out dust, moisture, and other contaminants. Cable glands are essential in maintaining the integrity of the electrical system and ensuring safe operation.

Types of Cable Glands

There are four primary types of cable glands: single-compression cable glands, double-compression cable glands, flexible hose cable glands, and PVC cable glands. Both single and double-compression cable glands are further categorized into three types: light-duty cable glands, weatherproof cable glands, and flameproof cable glands.

Apart from that there are several other types of cable glands, each suited for different applications and environments. Here we highlighted based on their classification.

• Based on Functionality: Armoured Cable Glands, Unarmoured Cable Glands, Waterproof Cable Glands, Heat-resistant Cable Glands, Metric Cable Glands, NPT Cable Glands.
• Based on Industrial Application: Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Cable Glands, Marine Cable Glands, Electric Cable Glands, Fire-Stop Cable Glands, Explosion-Proof Cable Glands.
• Based on Standard: Type A Cable Glands (A1, A2, A3, A4), Type B Cable Glands, Type C Cable Glands, Type D Cable Glands (D1, D2), Type E Cable Glands (E1, E2).
• Based on Certified: ATEX Certified Cable Glands, IECEx Certified Cable Glands, PESO Certified Cable Glands.
• Based on Material: Metal Cable Glands, Brass Cable Glands, Stainless Steel Cable Glands, Aluminium Cable Glands, Plastic Cable Glands, Nylon Cable Glands, Synthetic Rubber Cable Glands.

How to Select the Right Cable Gland?

Selecting the right cable gland involves considering several factors:

• Installation: Consider the nature of installation such as indoor, outdoor, domestic, commercial, or industrial.
• Cable Type: The type of cable being used will determine the appropriate gland. Ensure compatibility with the cable diameter and type.
• Environment: Consider the environmental conditions, including temperature, moisture, and exposure to chemicals or explosive gases.
• Material: Choose a material that offers the necessary durability and corrosion-resistance for the application.
• Ingress Protection (IP) Rating: Ensure the gland provides the required level of protection against dust and water ingress.
• Certification: For hazardous environments, ensure the cable gland meets relevant safety certifications.

Installation of Cable Glands

Cable Glands installation procedures should always be followed according to the manufacturer's instructions. To ensure a secure, reliable connection, the installation of a cable gland requires attention to detail. Proper installation of cable glands is paramount to ensuring the longevity and safety of electrical systems. The installation of cable glands varies depending on the type, but the fundamentals are the same as follows:

• Open the gland: Begin by opening the cable gland and detaching the nut/washer.
• Prepare the cable: Strip the cable to the required length, ensuring no damage to the inner conductors.
• Fit the gland: Insert the gland components into the cable in the correct order.
• Secure the Gland: Tighten the gland nuts to secure the cable and ensure a proper seal.
• Check the Seal: Verify that the gland provides a secure seal around the cable and the enclosure entry.
• Maintenance and inspection: Regular maintenance and inspection of cable glands are essential to ensure their continued effectiveness. Check for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage and replace any faulty glands promptly.

These steps will ensure proper and secure cable gland installation, providing effective protection for electrical systems.

Conclusion

The cable gland is a vital component for several electrical installations, providing protection and ensuring the integrity of electrical wiring connections. By understanding the different types, and applications, and by following proper installation and maintenance procedures, you can ensure the safety and reliability of electrical systems.

In India, there are many leading suppliers, distributors, exporters, and manufactures of cable glands, and accessories. To meet specific requirements, complex applications or industry standards, should choose a highly experienced and reliable cable gland manufacturer. At Sigma Industries, we provide a complete range of cable glands and custom cable glands, based on customer specifications. Whether you are looking for high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective cable glands, precision metal components, or cable gland accessories, you can rely on us as a Reputable Cable Gland Manufacturer in India. For more information request a quote or contact us.

What is a Cable Gland?

In today's world, electrical cables are the backbone of modern infrastructures, they power everything like homes, businesses, transportation, industrial machinery, telecommunications, automation systems, oil and gas refineries Etc. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that all cables are properly installed and secured to prevent damage, malfunctions and reduce the risk of electrical hazards. A cable gland, also known as a cable connector, is a device used to secure the end of an electrical cable to the equipment it is being connected to, it ensures the proper functioning, reliability and safety of electrical systems.

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The main feature of cable glands is their ability to provide strain relief (it absorbs the forces that might be exerted on the cable, such as tension, twisting, and bending). A cable connector consists of a seal between the cable and the equipment and it prevents liquids, dust, and other contaminants from entering the equipment. We have in-house facilities to manufacture high quality cable gland accessories.

Cable glands are manufactured in a variety of materials, sizes, and shapes to accommodate different applications. The most common materials used for cable glands are brass, stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic. Brass, stainless steel, and aluminum are preferred in harsh environments where the cables are exposed to chemicals, moisture, and extreme temperatures. We design and manufacture cable connectors for armoured and unarmoured cables.

Cable glands are essential to be fitted for the majority of electrical installations. The selection of gland type depends on a number of factors:

• Type of installation: domestic, commercial or industrial
• Indoor or outdoor environment
• Explosive atmosphere
• Corrosive atmosphere
• Cost

Cable glands are 'critical safety' devices in the overall electrical system of a plant or installation. The importance of selecting and using the correct cable gland type cannot be overlooked. There are various types of cable glands from the basic 'A' type gland right through to the compound barrier gland.

Types of Industrial Cable Glands

BS specified requirements for the design and construction of cable glands and gave type designations to glands.

The following designations are sometimes used by cable gland manufacturers in their product codes. The basic designations of the glands where as follows:

• Type A1. For unarmoured cable with an elastomeric or plastic outer sheath, where the function of the gland is to secure the outer sheath of the cable.
• Type A2. As type A1, but with an IP68 seal between the outer sheath and gland.
• Type A3. As type A1, but with an electrical bond for the metallic inner sheath.
• Type A4. As type A2, but with an electrical bond for the metallic inner sheath.
• Type B. For armoured or wire braid cable, where the function of the gland is to secure the armour or metallic braid and to provide electrical continuity between such armour or braid and the threaded fixing component of the gland.
• Type C. For armoured or wire braid cable with elastomeric or plastic outer sheath. As type B, but with an IP68 seal between outer sheath and gland.
• Type D1. For armoured or wire braid cable with elastomeric or plastic outer sheath. As type B, but with an IP68 seal between inner sheath and threaded fixing component.
• Type D2. As type D1, but with an electrical bond for the metallic inner sheath.
• Type E1. For armoured or wire braid cable with an extruded elastomeric or plastics inner sheath and elastomeric or plastics outer sheath. As type C, but with an IP68 seal between inner sheath and gland and between the inner sheath and threaded fixing component.
• Type E2. As type E1, but with an electrical bond for the metallic inner sheath.

Glands of type B, C, D1, E1 and E2 are suitable for armoured or wire braided types of protection shall be identified by a suffix, added to the designation, to indicate the type of protection for which the gland is suitable. The suffix for each type of protection shall be as follows.

Single wire armoured W Pliable wire armoured flexible T Wire braided X Aluminium strip armoured Y Double steel tape armoured Z

Cable Gland Types

Cable Glands 'A' Type

'A' type glands more commonly known as 'stuffing' glands. There are two types of 'A' gland. A1 and A2, A1 is retained on the cable whilst the 'A2' gland seals and retains on the cable.

• Suitable for unarmoured, plastic or rubber sheathed cables.
• Indoor and outdoor applications.
• For unarmoured, plastic or rubber sheathed cables.
• Suitable for most indoor and outdoor applications.
• Plastic or brass
• Seal rated to IP68 (A2 version)

A1 Cable Gland ' Plastic only (IP4X) non-certified version only.

A2 Cable Gland ' Plastic and/or brass (IP68) non-certified and certified versions available.

Cable Glands 'B' Type

Suitable for single wire armoured, plastic or rubber sheathed cables.

• Application ' for use in dry, indoor situations only.
• Brass only
• IP30

Cable Glands 'C' Type

Suitable for cables that are:

• Plastic or rubber sheathed
• Extruded or lapped bedded
• Armoured or braided
• Outer seal grips sheath of cable
• Seal rated to IP68
• For use in most climatic conditions weatherproof and waterproof.
• Brass or Stainless Steel
• Design has separate armour locking ring.

Cable Glands 'E' Type

Suitable for cables that are:

• Plastic or rubber sheathed
• Extruded or lapped bedded
• Armoured or braided
• Outer seal grips sheath of cable
• Inner seal grips bedding layer of cable
• Inner and outer seal rated to IP68
• For use in most climatic conditions weatherproof and waterproof.
• Brass or Stainless Steel Design has separate armour locking ring.