Cable glands – their types and uses

Used in panel assembly or internally in electric infrastructure, cable glands protect cables with excellent workmanship. In this regard, one of their functions is to mount wires in electric boxes or panels, sealing off their access. There are various types of Cable gland for a variety of uses, all of which are safe, low-cost, resistant and easy to maintain.

Types of Cable gland: what they are and how to use them

There are several types of Cable gland, with different specifications. Manufacturing material may be metallic, such as stainless steel, nickel-plated brass or aluminum, or thermoplastic. Each type of Cable gland is proper for different needs and used under specific conditions.

The Thermoplastic Cable gland is an instrument with an internal rubber structure. This not only allows the mounting of electric wiring, but also protects against the entry of solid and liquid particles, such as dust and water. It may be used for robust cables as well as thinner wiring. Thermoplastic Cable glands come in various models, including:

• Cable gland with voltage relief: Indicated to provide extra resistance at the end of the cable attenuating excessive bending. UV and IP 68 protection;
• Multiple track Cable gland: allows the passage of various cables through a single orifice. To do this, you need to dimension the thread and the characteristics of the cable in order to develop the multiple track socket;
• PG thread Cable gland: The PG Thread is recommended for low vibration environments for having the depth of the shallow thread wires. This model was developed in Germany (its name is the abbreviation of Stahl-Panzer-Rohr-Gewind). Thus, they are known by the prefix PG.
• BSP thread Cable gland: The BSP thread is indicated for more robust connections due to the depth of the wires used, providing greater safety against vibrations and pressure. This thread model (known as British Standard Pipe or Whitworth Gás) is of English origin and comes in a parallel format that better resists to pressure.
• Metric thread Cable gland: The Metric Thread or Metric ISO is indicated for more robust connections due to the depth of the wires used, providing greater safety against vibrations and pressure. This thread model is parallel and has this name because of its actual external diameter. In the case of Cable glands, it is the C diameter. The Metric Thread is identified by a capital M, and there are three types: thick, multa or thin. For the KrausMuller line, they are thin. This means that the thread passage is 1.5mm.
• NPT Cable gland: The NPT thread is indicated to ensure impermeability and its use does not depend of the use of a bolt to be mounted, functioning at the base of the insertion point between the Cable gland and the perforation in the box or equipment. This model (whose acronym stands for National Pipe Thread) is an American standard conic thread described in inches. One example of its sealing capacity is the cooking gas valve. As its name says, this type of cable gland, when threaded, presses and tightens the electric wires and cables.

This was our explanation of the types of Cable gland and of their uses. In our blog posts we discuss the importance of a safe electrical installation and the use of quality materials, such as Junction Boxes, Cable glands and conduits, see for yourself!