The single most important thing you need to know about cable glands

Cable Glands

Cable glands are vital and protective covers of cable management systems that provide the function of grounding, insulation, and protection. 

The beauty of glands is that they have each type available for specific purposes.

They used for sealing cable passing through the bulkhead.

A similar tool of the cable gland is the cable grommet. It protects electrical cables from sharp edges, applied stress, and other chemically reactive substances. Only there is a difference in names, the glands and cable grommets perform similar functions. 

Glands protect from external hazardous factors including dirt, pollutants, and electrical shocks.

They are constructed from metallic or nonmetallic materials depending on which purpose they shall be used for.

Types 

These cables are divided into two main categories based on materials they are made from.

I. Plastics

They made of nylon and commonly come in seal designs. Some examples include marine, telecommunications, and flex cable applications.

II. Metals

Stability, rigidity, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity are some of the featured properties of metallic cables.

III. Armored

As the name implies, armored cables have extra coatings on them for protection against damage. Armoring often comes in a single wire, double steel tape.

IV. Unarmored

As the name implies, an unarmored cable is not protected. However, the need for an unarmored cable is not that much in the market because it has no salient features and advantages as that an armored one.

Applications for Glands

• Aerospace glands are used in space vehicles and military craft.
• Fire cables are used in prevention of fire progression across the fire barrier.
• Factories, plants, and mills uses Industrial glands.
• Railway glands are used for purpose associated with train and associated installation.
• Cleanroom organs utilize a cleanroom climate with related properties of keeping up with positive strain, the anticipation of residue, and entrance.

Components of Gland

The components of Cable Glands consist of five main parts.

The first one is the outer seal nut assembly. The outer seal nut assembly is detaching part of cable gland body which can be loosened to it. 

The second part is a clamping ring which acts as an intermediary between the outer nut assembly and the third party. The third part is called the armor cone.

The fourth part of the gland is the deluge seal. The final part is the inner seal assembly which completes the body of the cable grommet.

• A flat washer is a flawless bearing surface that distributes fastener load.
• A load nut is a nut that doesn’t become loose and stays in place.
• A rubber washer help avoid vibration while lowering noise level is significant.
• Neoprene rubber seals avoid oxidation and many petroleum devices.

Double compression glands in additions to above the components have double sealing feature. Overall, it has the following component:

• Chuck nut
• Neoprene rubber seal
• Cone ring 
• Cone
• Gland body nut 
• Gland body

Installation of Cable Grommet

You need to follow certain steps before beginning the installation of glands. The first one is to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and comply with codes of practice.

• Be careful not to damage the live entry wire during installation.
• Be sure your glands are not install to solvent or dirt during the installation process.
• You are done these steps, begin by opening the gland and detaching the nut.

Apart from these requirements the gland is a part of electrical cable system that grounds, earth and insulates infrastructure.

These glands are of multiple types and each one has a different use. You have to answer certain questions to find the right gland for you. The questions might be like:

Will you be using it for your indoor housing or outdoor management?

Are you using it for an industry or will it  be a house?

Will you be using it in a safe area or a dangerous one?

Example, if you are looking for a grommet related to the medical side, brass cables are best. The reason for opting for brass is that it has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. After all, the most important feature is anti corrosion.

An example would be Nylon cable. It is best for use in telecommunications, instrumentation, and data cables. It has high flexibility and strain relief.

Conclusion

In this article, we discussed Cable glands, their types, applications of glands, components of glands, and a guide to installation of cable grommets. In conclusion, a brief introduction of a particular kind of cable based on a specific purpose was discussed.

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