You may have heard the phrase ‘cable gland’, but do you know what they are? Here, we look at what they are and what they are used for.
What are cable glands?
The definition of a cable gland is a ‘mechanical cable entry module’. Simply put, this means that they are used to attach electrical cables to equipment.
What are cable glands used for?
A vital safety device in electrical installations, cable glands protect wiring from moisture and contamination and are used to seal the ends of cables, securing them to various types of equipment, including plugs and terminals. A cable gland seals the outer cable sheath to protect the wiring from environmental factors such as dirt and moisture, that could compromise the functionality of the installation. A correctly installed cable gland will also offer protection against the cables twisting or pulling, which could lead to the wires being disconnected.
How do cable glands work?
A cable gland comprises a main body, through which the cable is passed, a seal to provide protection against water, dust and dirt, and two nuts. The first nut secures the gland in place, while the second nut secures the cable; as the second nut is tightened, the cable becomes mechanically locked in place. Cable glands need to be tightened by hand until they are snug against the insulation, after which they can be further tightened with a wrench.
How to choose a cable gland
Consideration should be given to the environmental conditions the cable gland will be exposed to, the type of cable it will be used with, and how much protection is needed. Cable glands can be made from rubber, PVC, nylon, or metal including stainless steel and brass, and they are available in different sizes to accommodate different cable diameters. For the best fit, the diameter of the cable should be measured at the widest point of the insulation.
Cable glands from Cableties-online
At cableties-online, we offer a nylon cable gland, a spiral swivel fitting conduit gland in PVC, and brass cable glands for indoor and outdoor applications.
Our nylon cable glands are a robust, multipurpose choice offering effective resistance to pressure. They are available in 5 different sizes and are suitable for cables from 4mm to 25mm in diameter.
The spiral swivel fitting conduit gland is manufactured from PVC, a flexible and non-reactive plastic material. These are available in three sizes for cables from 4mm to 18mm in diameter.
Brass cable glands are strong and give effective resistance against magnetism and deformation at all temperatures. Widely used in construction and industrial applications, brass cable glands are available for indoor or outdoor use. Outdoor brass cable glands are suitable for use with plastic or rubber coated cables or uncoated cables, while indoor brass cable glands are versatile enough for use with a variety of cable types including armoured and plastic or rubber coated cables. Both indoor and outdoor brass cable glands can be used with cables from 20-75mm in diameter.
In addition to our range of cable glands, we also offer cable joining kits for your convenience.
If you are unsure of which cable glands your next installation requires, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced sales team who will be happy to help and advise. They can be reached via email at sales@cableties-online.co.uk or by phone on 01623 412160.
