Cable glands are indispensable components in electrical installations, providing vital ingress protection (IP), environmental sealing, mechanical retention, and electrical continuity. These versatile devices secure cables and protect electrical systems from external hazards, ensuring reliability and safety across various industries.
In this guide, we’ll explore the types of cable glands, their applications, and their compliance with British Standards (BS). We’ll also introduce SWAonline.co.uk products, innovative solutions like the Storm Gland, and a dedicated CPD module called The Gland Revolution—designed to enhance understanding of gland design, material options, earthing solutions, and relevant tests and performance standards.
What Are Cable Glands?
Cable glands mechanically anchor and seal cables where they connect to enclosures, panels, or equipment. Key functions include:
- Ingress Protection: Preventing dust, water, and contaminants from penetrating systems.
- Mechanical Retention: Ensuring secure cable anchoring and pull-out resistance.
- Electrical Continuity: Enabling proper earthing, especially for SWA (Steel Wire Armoured) or braided flex cables.
Cable glands are typically made from materials such as brass, nickel-plated brass, stainless steel, polyamide, and aluminium, each catering to specific operational and environmental needs.
The Gland Revolution: CPD Module Overview CPD Training - SWA 2020
The Gland Revolution is a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module aimed at professionals seeking a deeper understanding of cable glands. This module covers the following topics:
Gland Design and Material Option
1. Innovative Designs:
- Enhanced sealing mechanisms for demanding environments.
- Shroud-free options, such as the Storm Gland, simplify installation, reduce costs, and maintain robust performance.
2. Material Selection:
- Brass: A versatile material suited to most industrial and general-purpose installations.
- Nickel-Plated Brass: Offers enhanced corrosion resistance for outdoor or marine environments.
- Stainless Steel: Highly corrosive resistant, offers excellent temperature resistance, ideal for applications such as food and beverage applications.
- Polyamide: Lightweight, non-corrosive, and UV-resistant, ideal for controlled environments.
- Aluminium: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, perfect for environments requiring robust yet cost-effective solutions.
Earthing Solutions for Armoured Glands
Proper earthing is critical for electrical safety. The module discusses:
- Earthing Nuts: Simplify connections between the cable gland and enclosure for secure earthing. Brass Earthing Nut - Locknut (EarthingNut) - SWA 2020
- Earthfix Components: A one-piece earthing solution that enhances electrical continuity and reduces installation time. Earthfix Earthing Locknuts - SWA 2020
Relevant Tests and Performance Standards
Key performance tests are part of the relevant British and European Standards and should ensure operational efficiency, tests including:
- Mechanical Strength: Testing for resistance to stress and pull-out forces, as per BS EN 62444.
- Ingress Protection (IP Ratings): Ensuring compliance with IP66, IP67, and IP68 for dust and water resistance.
- Environmental Performance: Verifying durability in harsh conditions such as high temperatures, vibrations, and corrosive environments.
Compliance with British Standards (BS)
Cable glands should comply with the relevant British and European Standards such as BS 6121:2005 and BS EN 62444:2013 to ensure safety and reliability. These standards encompass:
- Mechanical Strength: Resistance to vibration and operational stress.
- Ingress Protection: Preventing dust, water, and foreign object intrusion.
- Environmental Resilience: Durability in harsh conditions like extreme temperatures and corrosive atmospheres.
Storm Gland: A Game-Changer in Cable Management
The Storm Gland, available at SWAonline.co.uk, represents a major advancement in cable management. Its innovative, shroud-free design delivers simplicity and exceptional performance.
Key Features:
- High Ingress Protection: Exceeds IP66, IP67, and IP68 ratings.
- Versatility: Compatible with SWA, braided flex, and non-armoured cables.
- Eco-Friendly Design: Eliminates the need for additional components like shrouds.
Applications:
- Industrial systems requiring durability and ingress protection.
- Marine and offshore installations needing corrosion resistance.
- Outdoor projects in harsh environments.
Types of Cable Glands
Cable glands cater to diverse applications, classified as follows:
1. Indoor Cable Glands
Armoured Cable Glands - SWA 2020
Non Armoured Cable Glands - SWA 2020
ALT BW Brass LSF Cable Glands - SWA 2020
BW LSF Brass Glands - SWA 2020
Tauras BW Brass Glands - SWA 2020
Tauras ALT BW Standard & LSF Glands - SWA 2020
CW LSF Brass Glands - SWA 2020
Tauras ALT CW Standard & LSF Glands - SWA 2020
Consumer Unit Glands - SWA 2020
GXD LSF Brass Gland - SWA 2020
BICC Components Brass PA2 Glands - SWA 2020
SmartFit Cable Glands - SWA 2020
Polyamide Cable Glands - SWA 2020
- Material: Brass, aluminium or polyamide.
- Use Case: Controlled environments like domestic wiring or control panels.
2. Outdoor Cable Glands
ALT CW Standard Brass Cable Glands - SWA 2020
Tauras CW Brass Glands - SWA 2020
Tauras Premier EIW Brass Glands - SWA 2020
SmartFit Cable Glands - SWA 2020
Polyamide Cable Glands - SWA 2020
BICC Components Brass PA2 Glands - SWA 2020
BICC Components PA2 Brass Cable Glands With Brass Locknut - SWA 2020
- Material: Brass, Nickel-plated brass, stainless steel or aluminium.
- Use Case: Projects exposed to environmental stresses, such as street lighting.
3. Armoured Cable Glands
- Material: Aluminium, Brass or nickel-plated brass.
- Use Case: required for SWA cables in most applications
4. Explosion-Proof Cable Glands
- Material: Brass or nickel-plated brass.
- Use Case: Hazardous areas with flammable gases or dust.
A2F Brass Glands Hazardous Area - SWA 2020
Premier E1FW Glands For Hazardous Areas - SWA 2020
Premium and Cost-Effective Options from SWA
- GQ (Gland Quality) Range: Offers low-smoke, zero-halogen seals and shrouds, ensuring high performance in harsh environments.
- ALT Range: A cost-effective, durable option with low smoke and fume features for reliable installations.
ALT Brass Cable Glands - SWA 2020
Applications of Cable Glands
1. Industrial Settings
- Requirements: Heat resistance, ingress protection, grounding.
- Recommended Products: Armoured and explosion-proof glands from swaonline.co.uk.
2. Marine and Offshore
- Requirements: Corrosion resistance and waterproofing.
- Recommended Products: Stainless steel or nickel-plated brass glands.
3. Hazardous Environments
- Requirements: Spark prevention, compliance with safety standards.
- Recommended Products: Explosion-proof glands.
Best Practices for Installation
- Select the Correct Gland: Match the gland to the cable and environment, ensuring BS compliance.
- Prepare the Cable: Strip the outer sheath carefully, leaving sufficient length for grounding.
- Use Proper Tools: Follow manufacturer torque specifications for secure seals.
- Install Accessories: Use earthing nuts or Earthfix components for reliable earthing.
- Inspect Regularly: Monitor for wear and replace seals or glands as necessary.
Conclusion
Cable glands are integral to safe, reliable, and efficient electrical installations. Whether you choose premium products like the GQ Range, cost-effective options like the ALT Range, or innovative solutions like the Storm Gland, selecting the right gland ensures long-lasting performance.
For professionals seeking deeper insights, the Gland Revolution CPD Module offers a valuable opportunity to explore gland design, material options, earthing solutions, and performance standards