Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-11-04 Origin: Site
Modern business projects rely on electrical cables to supply a clean, uninterrupted power supply. Therefore, all cables need to be properly installed to prevent damage and provide such stability. This is where cable glands come in.
Cable glands are useful components that provide efficiency, reducing costs and downtime. In this article, we will discuss extensively the different types of glandings on electrical cables.
Cable glands (also called cable connectors or cable fittings) are connectors used to seal cable ends and secure them to plugs, terminals, or enclosures. They protect sensitive electrical wiring from contamination, moisture, corrosion, and dust.
Cable glands are used outdoors or in harsh environments, providing strain relief and maintaining the integrity of the electrical system. They are used with different types of power, data, control, or telecommunication cables.
Mechanical retention: Cable glands securely fit cables to enclosures, equipment, or other electrical equipment. This secure anchor prevents movement, such as slipping or twisting, due to vibration, tension, or external forces. Additionally, this mechanical retention ensures stable connections and protects components from disconnection.
Dust/moisture sealing: Cable glands often include sealing elements that create a tight, weather-resistant seal at cable entry points. These sealing elements also protect dust, dirt, water, and other contaminants from degrading the cables. This, in turn, prevents corrosion, short circuits, or insulation failure, especially in outdoor or harsh environments.
Electrical continuity: Cable glands ensure proper grounding between cable armor and equipment. This helps to ensure electrical safety and maintain electrical continuity, reducing the risk of shocks, fire hazards, and other potential damage, making git compliant with safe use in hazardous areas.
Prevents cable damage caused by incorrect clamping: Cable glands are properly designed to distribute clamping force evenly. Thus, they prevent excessive pressure or sharp edges that could damage insulation or conductors. Preventing this damage prolongs the service life of the cable and reduces the risk of short circuits or failures.
Compliance with safety or installation standards: Cable glands are designed to meet international standards for safety. Their safety certifications could include IEC 62444, BS 6121, and EN 60079, which indicate they are safe for use in hazardous environments. Using certified glandings ensures safe installation and operation.
Reduced maintenance: Cable glands provide a secure seal and consistent performance, which extends the service life of the cable and equipment. This reduces cost, downtime, and maintenance frequency. Proper installation also leads to fewer failures, which are caused by mechanical stress or moisture.
Brass cable glands are mostly used in industrial and commercial applications. They perform excellently at high and low temperatures because of their excellent conductivity. There are several types of brass cable glands: (1) indoor, (2) outdoor, (3) straightening, (4) weatherproof, (5) threaded, and (6) industrial cable glands.
Advantages:
Mechanical strength: They have high tensile mechanical strength to withstand prolonged pressure and stress. This is why they are used in commercial settings or harsh environmental conditions.
Corrosion resistance: They have superior corrosion resistance. Weatherproof glandings, for example, are robust and provide a strong seal that resists water.
Disadvantages:
Expensive: These glandings are more expensive than other alternatives like plastic, making them unfit for budget-conscious projects.
Degradation: These types can degrade over time unless they are properly plated.
These glandings are used in light-duty applications such as indoor electrical panels and low-voltage systems. They are suitable for non-metallic enclosures, providing insulation where they are being used. Their material design makes them lightweight and cost-effective, thus fitting budget-friendly projects.
Advantages:
Easy to install: Their lightweight design makes them easy to install and can be used in applications where space constraint is a concern.
Non-corrosive: They are non-corrosive, offering resistance to chemicals and oils, making them fit for damp environments.
Cost-effective: They are affordable and readily available, suitable for general electrical applications.
Disadvantages:
Limited temperature resistance: Their material design makes them offer limited resistance to heat and UV exposure compared to other types.
Lower mechanical strength: They do not have high mechanical strength; thus, they are not suitable for extreme environments. compared to metal types.
Stainless steel glandings are designed specifically for harsh and corrosive environments. This is why they are preferred in marine, offshore, food processing, and chemical industries. They can withstand high temperatures and exposure to chemicals.
Advantages:
Excellent resistance: They provide excellent resistance to rust, corrosion, and temperature, making them suitable in damp environments, areas with frequent washdowns, and areas exposed to UV rays.
Superior tensile strength: They have high tensile strength. Thus, they can withstand extreme mechanical stress for extended periods.
Aesthetic appearance: They have an aesthetic appeal when used in visible areas.
Disadvantages:
High cost: They are more expensive than plastic or brass types.
Complex installation: Their material design makes them heavier and slightly difficult to install than others.
These cable glands are used in medium-duty applications, including indoor and sheltered outdoor environments, as they have a robust design. They can be coated or furnished to strengthen their durability and protection.
Advantages:
Lightweight: They are lightweight, yet robust, thus no extra significant weight is added to the equipment. They are easy to handle and install, making them more affordable than stainless steel types.
Mechanical strength: They have good mechanical strength for general use.
Resistance: They also offer moderate resistance to moisture and dust when used in medium-duty applications.
Disadvantages:
Oxidation: They can oxidize over a period of time unless they are coated or furnished for added protection.
Limited resistance: The resistance they offer is limited; thus, they are not fit for hazardous applications.
Armored cable glands are manufactured for cables with metallic armoring, such as steel wire armored or aluminum wire armored types. They are used for high-voltage systems that require protection and grounding stability, such as power transmissions and substations.
Advantages:
Strong mechanical retention: They provide strong mechanical retention and strain relief for systems requiring protection and grounding.
Electrical earthing: They guarantee electrical earthing and bonding continuity between the cable armor and the equipment.
Disadvantages:
Complex installation: They require a more complex installation compared to other gland types.
High cost: They are more expensive than other gland types due to their construction and grounding accessories.
Heavier and bulkier: They are heavier and bulkier, making them unsuitable for compact-sized applications.
These cable glands are used for cables without metallic armor. They can be made from brass or nylon, depending on the operating environment. They are suitable for indoor installations and control panels.
Advantages:
Lightweight: Since they are used on cables without metallic armor, they are lightweight and simple to install.
Sealing protection: They provide adequate sealing for dust and moisture protection.
Cost-effective: They are a cost-effective solution for low-voltage systems and control panels.
Disadvantages:
No grounding support: They do not offer grounding or armor support, only sealing protection.
Limited protection: The protection they provide is limited in high-stress or outdoor environments; thus, they are not used in these settings.
These cable glands are designed for outdoor and hazardous areas where dust or explosives may be present. For example, they are used in oil refineries, chemical plants, and mining facilities. They contain any internal explosion within the equipment, preventing critical situations.
Advantages:
Ensures safety: Its explosion-proof or flameproof design ensures safety in hazardous or explosive environments.
Robust sealing: It provides robust sealing and mechanical protection when a hazard occurs.
Safety compliant: It is compliant with international safety standards to keep equipment and workers safe.
Disadvantages:
High Cost: Its specialized design and safety certification make it more expensive than other types of glanding.
Heavier: It is heavier than other types of glanding, making it more difficult to install.
Periodic inspection: It requires periodic inspection to ensure it gives consistent, efficient performance.
These glandings are regulated based on ISO metric thread dimensions. This regulation ensures it is compatible with different electrical equipment and enclosures around the world. They are widely used in industrial, commercial, and automation systems due to their standard sizing.
Advantages:
Global recognition: They are globally recognized and compatible with thread-design cables.
Simple installation: They can be easily installed on different equipment. This is because they come in different materials and sealing options.
Disadvantages:
Mismatch: Thread mismatch may occur with non-metric equipment. Thorough checks must be carried out to prevent this.
Requires sizing: They require accurate sizing to ensure proper sealing and protection.
These cable glands seal the cable at one point, that is, at the outer sheath of the cable. They are used for unarmored cables in indoor or low-pressure environments. They provide moderate sealing protection and strain relief without engaging the armor. They are suitable for low-voltage systems.
Advantages:
Simple design: Their design is simple, with an easy and fast installation process that saves downtime.
Cost-effective: They are affordable for general electrical use to provide basic sealing protection.
Disadvantages:
Unsuitable for armored cables: They are not ideal for armored cables or outdoor exposure.
Limited sealing protection: They do not provide high sealing efficiency under pressure or vibration.
Less mechanical strength: They possess less mechanical strength compared to other gland types.
These glandings provide sealing at two points of the cables, that is, the outer sheath and the inner insulation. This is why they are suitable for outdoor, industrial, and heavy-duty applications, particularly for armored cables with metallic armor, providing relief against stress.
Advantages:
Strain relief: They provide superior strain relief and sealing against contamination.
Consistent performance: They ensure consistent performance under vibration and pressure.
Disadvantages:
Complex installation: They have a complex installation process, which is often time-consuming.
High cost: They incur a higher cost compared to single compression types.
Installation: Consider the installation application of the cable gland, whether it’s indoor, outdoor, commercial, or industrial. Certain cable glands may work for outdoor areas, while others are best suited for indoor areas.
Cable Type: The type of cable being used, whether armored or unarmored cable, will determine the right glanding.
Thread type: Glands have different thread types. Ensure it matches that of the equipment entry thread to avoid failure.
Operating Environment: Consider the environmental conditions, including moisture, temperature, and chemical exposure, before choosing the right glanding.
Material compatibility: Choose a gland material that offers durability and enhanced protection for the desired application.
Ingress Protection (IP) Rating: Ensure the gland offers the required level of protection against ingress.
Certification: Ensure the gland is globally recognized and meets safety standards.
Cable glands provide protection and ensure equipment integrity. Now that you know the different types of glandings on electrical cables, you can ensure the safety and reliability of electrical systems.
If you want a trusted manufacturer that can meet your specific requirements, then choose Haivol Electrical. We are highly experienced and reliable with a wide range of cable glands for your business. Feel free to contact us.
To install a cable gland, first disassemble the gland and slide the parts onto the cable. Prepare the cable by removing the outer sheath and armor to the right length. Slide the armor up to the stripped section. Reassemble the gland and tighten the nut to secure the armor and seal the outer sheath.
Electrical cable glands are mechanical fittings that secure the cable, ensure strain relief, and offer sealing protection from dust and contaminants.
Cable glands are also called cord grip, cable connector, or cable fitting.
Stainless steel gland is considered the best material for marine applications as it is highly resistant to corrosion, moisture, and rust.
First, measure the cable’s outer diameter and consult the manufacturer’s chart to find the gland that matches your cable’s diameter. Ensure the thread size can fit into the entry role of the equipment.
