Enclosure Gland Plates
Enclosure gland plates are panels with a gasket. Gland plates provide a removable cable entry and egress, while still maintaining the NEMA rating of the enclosure they are designed for. In some instances, gland plates may be easier to drill or punch than the enclosure wall, and when used properly, may retain NEMA certifications that could be lost if done in the enclosure wall. Gland plates may be used to completely cover cutouts from additions, such as an air conditioner, that are no longer attached, or cover gaps created installing new external equipment that has a smaller connecting footprint.
Hoffman Solid Gland Plates and EMC Gland Plates can be used on 100 mm solid bases, 100 mm and 200 mm plinth bases, mobile bases and transportation bases. They can be used without a base if levelers, casters or frame feet are installed.
Hoffman Solid Gland Plates can be used with PROLINE subpanels or rack angles and consist of a base mounting surface and two adjustable plates that permit cable entry. The plate can be rotated 180 degrees for front or rear cable entry.
More Information about Enclosure Gland Plates
Hoffman EMC Gland Plates can be used with subpanels or rack angles and consist of a base mounting surface and two adjustable gland plates with conductive fabric-over-foam gasket for cable entry.
Hoffman Filtered (Vented) Gland Plates are only used with Vented Plinth Base Covers. The plates can be used with PROLINE subpanels or rack angles. They consist of a mounting base, three adjustable plates for cable entry, a filter and filter retaining rails.
Maintaining NEMA 4 Rating When Making Enclosure Penetrations
Cutouts are very common when modifying enclosures for push buttons, indication lights, conduit entries or mounting hardware. Cutting into an enclosure runs the risk of eliminating the protective nature of the NEMA rated attributes. Proper steps must be followed in order to preserve the NEMA rating of an enclosure.
Devices mounted to the enclosure must have the same NEMA rating as the enclosure. This means that if the devices are installed to the manufacturer's specifications, they will be able to maintain the NEMA rating of the enclosure.
Water tight conduit hubs must be used when running wire through a cutout in an enclosure. There are many different types of conduit hubs that are used to secure conduit to an enclosure. However, only certain conduit hubs are rated for a watertight seal. By using water tight hubs, the NEMA rating of the enclosure is maintained.
Bonded washers are necessary when mounting hardware to an enclosure. If standard mounting hardware is used, the NEMA rating of the enclosure will no longer be maintained. Bonded washers have rubber gaskets that make a watertight seal around the drilled hole. It is also important to make sure the material used for the bonded washer matches the material of the enclosure. Stainless steel enclosures require stainless steel bonded washers.