Cable Glands
Cable glands are vital parts used for affixing and securing a cable's end to an enclosure. They provide an electrical connection and are especially useful for serving strain relief and maintaining the assembly's integrity. Cable glands can be used with many types of cables and a wide range of enclosures.
Different applications and environments necessitate cable glands made from different materials. You can use these glands with plastics, brass, stainless steel—even nylon! On one end of the spectrum are plastic glands, which offer sufficient performance for many applications but are not suitable for use in harsh environments. In the middle, you have stainless steel, which, along with brass, represents a still higher level of performance, especially in industrial settings. While stainless steel is often the 'go-to' material when selecting for performance in corrosive environments (quite common in industrial applications), brass is a popular material for applications that require absolute durability.
FAQs
Can a cable gland with an O-ring fit multiple cables and still provide adequate sealing from dust, dirt and liquids?
No, a cable gland with an O-ring is typically designed to seal a single cable and would not provide adequate sealing for multiple cables from dust, dirt, and liquids.
Are cable glands considered connectors and plugs?
Cable glands are not considered connectors and plugs; they are used to secure and seal the end of a cable entering an enclosure, providing strain relief and protection from environmental factors.
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.