Cable glands are devices that are critical when terminating cables in hazardous or harsh environments, where ingress protection, sealing and grounding is necessary to safely pass a cable, wire or tube through an enclosure. They provide strain relief and are also designed to contain electrical sparks or flames that may occur in hazardous environments. Additionally, they act as a seal, preventing outside contaminants from causing damage to the cable and electrical system, such as dust, dirt, and fluids. Finally, they prevent cables from twisting and being pulled out of the machine, as they help to provide a secure connection between the cable and machine to which it is attached.
They are designed for use with either armored or non-armored cable. When used with armored cable, they provide a ground to earth for the cable design.
A compression ring or O-ring sealing element tightens around the diameter of the cable, sealing any dangerous currents, sparks or flames from entering the machinery to which the cable leads.
They can be made of a variety of metals and plastics, depending on their application, including stainless steel, plastic, brass, and aluminum.
Because they are designed with safety in mind, it is important that cable glands carry one or more of the following electrical safety specification ratings, such as NEC, CEC, ATEX, IECx or similar depending on the country of origin and use.
It is critical to size your cable glands correctly, as only one cable can be used with one gland and the seal must be made with included O-ring, not with other elements the user may introduce such as tape.
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