Frequently asked questions about cable glands

A cable gland is a type of cable feed through, used for guiding cables through the wall of, for example, an electrical installation. The cable gland then protects the installation from dust and moisture entering through the hole through which the cable is being fed into the installation. In addition, the cable gland offers strain relief, when the cable is pulled for example.

The place where a cable enters an electrical installation, is a weak spot: there is an opening in the wall of the installation, through which moisture and dust can enter and possibly damage the installation. A cable gland seals this hole and ensures a tight fit for the cable.

Cable glands are made in different types and out of different materials. Which cable gland is best suited for you, depends on the intended use and the required properties. Cable glands are available in five materials: plastic cable glands, plastic ex cable glands, brass cable glands, brass EMC cable glands and stainless steel cable glands.

Which cable gland is best suited for you, mostly depends on the environment in which the cable gland will be used. Is the cable gland used in an environment in which explosions are a risk? Is corrosoin an issue? These and other questions need to be answered in order to determine which cable gland is best suited for your needs.

Which cable gland you use for which cable, mainly depends on the thickness of the cable. Cable glands with specific properties are available in multiple sizes, for use with cables with different thicknesses.

Cable glands are an important part of electrical installations: they guarantee a secure and sealed of entry for cables and protect the installation from outside influences. Cable glands should in addition be used when there is a risk of tensile force being exerted on the cable, which could cause the cable to detach from the installation, causing it to malfunction.

A venting plug is used to protect closed of electronics housings against condensation, which can occur with temperature- and pressure changes. Venting elements offer constant ventilation through a PES membrane.

Cable glands have metric thread or a PG thread. PG stands for ‚Panzergewinde‘ or ‚Stahlpanzerrohrgewinde – a German technical standard. The metrich thread, in accordance with the DIN EN 60423 norm, is the standard these days. The ten old PG thread sizes are replaced by eight new metric threads.

PG threads are also called ‚Panzergewinde‘ or ‚Stahlpanzerrohrgewinde‘. This type of thread is available in ten different sizes.

A metric thread is a worldwide standardized type of thread, available in eight sizes. The metric thread has fully replaced the PG thread. The connecting threads range from M12 up to M63.

A hexagonal locknut ensures a tight and secure application of cable glands. These locknuts have a metric or PG thread and are available in plastic, brass or stainless steel. In addition, they are available in multiple colors and sizes.

Locknuts with a metric thread are available in eight sizes (ranging from M12 up to M63), locknuts with a PG thread are available in ten sizes ( from PG7 up to PG48). These locknuts are available in different materials, such as plastic, brass and stainless steel.

With an enlarger, a cable gland with a bigger thread can be used with a smaller connecting thread. Enlargers are available with either a metric thread or a PG thread.

With a reducer, a cable gland with a smaller thread can be used with a bigger connecting thread. Reducers are available with either a metric thread or a PG thread.

Cable glands with a spiral top are, due tot he spiral, perfect for use with flexible, moving cable. Easy to install, with twist protection, integrated anchoring and a large sealing range.

A cable gland with spiral top is mostly used when the cable that is fed through the cable gland, is moveable / might move often. The spiral, which is attached to the cable gland, moves along with the cable and offers extra protection by doing so.

Elbow cable glands are perfect for use when a 90° angle is required in attaching the cable and cable gland to a connection. With metric or PG thread, available in multiple materials.

With a cable feed-through, multiple cable can be safely guided alongside each other. Available with two, three, four, five, six or eight holes, in multiple heights and diameters. Made out of TPE TPS.

Sealing grommets are used to safely guide cables and are available with a metric and a PG thread. Our sealing grommets are made of EPDM and are available in the colours grey and black.

Screw plugs are used to seal holes which are not used by a cable gland. Available with metric and PG thread. When you use a screw plug in combination with an O-Ring, you are guaranteed of an even better seal.

Blanking plugs are used to seal off holes which are not used, in electrical installations for example. With an O-Ring you can, in combination with a blanking plug, ensure a 100% seal.

O-rings are used to reach an ever higher protection and sealing rate. This can be done with O-rings, because they ensure an even better seal when used with products with a connecting thread. Our O-rings are made of rubber.

Plastic cable glands are the standard and are most regularly used. The are used for universal purposes, in environments in which there are no extreme circumstances and exceptional properties are not required. Plastic cable glands are suited for most situation in which a cable gland is used.

These cable glands meet multiple EC- and IECEx certifications, making them suitable for use in enviroments where there is a risk of explosions.

Brass cable glands are made of galvanized, nickel plated brass. This makes them stronger than plastic cable glands and ensures better corossion resistance and better resistance to mechanical stress. They are, however, not as strong as stainless steel cable glands.

Brass EMC-cable glands are nickel-plated and meet the EMC-standard. EMC stands for ElectroMagnetic Compatibility. This means that this cable gland helps limiting the degree to which electrical components have an influence on one another within electrical installations. Electrical components can have an influence on one another, which could lead to interference in radio- and telecommunications. The EMC guideline limits electromagnetic emmissions to prevent this.

Cable glands made out of stainless steel have a longer lifespan and offer better resistance to corrosion than cable glands made of plastic or brass. This makes them perfect for use in extreme conditions, except for environments where there is a risk of explosions – then, always use Ex cable glands.

Cable glands are sold in most DIY stores. In addition, there are multiple (online) specialists which sell cable glands, including WKK. Would you like more information? Contact one of our advisors through sales@wkk-europe.com.