Cable glands for industry: Waterproof and plastic connectors

Cable glands are used in electrical installations to connect systems and provide mechanical protection to cables by securing them in place while preventing strain on the connections. This helps to avoid damage to the cables from pulling, bending, or abrasion.

Key benefits:

• Cable gland connectors seal the cable entry points against environmental factors such as dust and moisture. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electrical connections and preventing short circuits or other electrical failures
• Cable glands reduce the risk of electric shock or fire by providing a secure and insulated connection for the cables
• HellermannTyton cable gland connectors meet the requirements of many industries such as machine building, rolling stock, rail infrastructure, offshore, shipping, mining, plant construction and other industries

Cable glands consist of three main parts: locknut, thread and fitting. The thread goes through a hole and is tightened with a locknut. There are fixed threads, swivel threads and variable angle threads available. 

All HellermannTyton cable glands are waterproof and provide a tight seal around cables. Thus, they are commonly used in outdoor applications or harsh environments as waterproof cable glands ensure that cables remain protected from weather conditions, moisture and even saltwater.

Use cases for watertight cable glands are for example:

• Outdoor lighting fixtures, security cameras, outdoor electrical boxes
• Marine and offshore environments, on ships and offshore platforms
• In machinery, control panels, junction boxes, and other equipment in industries such as manufacturing, mining and petrochemical
• Buried in underground installations
• In food processing facilities, breweries, pharmaceutical plants

The technical drawing provides a cross-sectional view of a plastic cable gland. In order to specify the correct cable gland size to ensure proper fitting and sealing, the overall diameter at the top part (D), the height of the bottom part (H), the diameter of the bottom part (D2) and the height of the lower portion of the cable gland (H2) are essential. 

In cable gland connectors with fixed external threads, the external threads on the gland body are rigidly attached or moulded onto the body itself. This means that the threads cannot rotate or swivel independently of the gland body during installation. When installing the gland onto a panel or enclosure, the entire gland body rotates to tighten the threads onto the mating surface.

Key benefits of fixed external threads:

• Simple and economical design
• The sealing mechanism can be reliably positioned and maintained, ensuring consistent and effective sealing against environmental factors like dust, moisture, or gases
• Fixed external threads eliminate the need for adjusting or aligning threads during installation, streamlining the process

Cable glands with fixed external threads may require more space for installation since the entire gland body rotates during tightening. If more flexibility and convenience during installation is needed, cable gland connectors with swivel external threads can be used. They feature external threads that can rotate or swivel independently of the gland body. The gland body remains stationary while only the external threads rotate during installation, making it easier to tighten the gland onto the mating surface without having to rotate the entire gland body.

Key benefits of industrial cable glands with swivel external threads:

• Easier alignment with cable entry points, especially in tight or awkward spaces
• Swivel external threads allow for slight adjustments to accommodate misalignment
• The ability to adjust the orientation of the gland helps in reducing strain on cables during installation

Cable glands with swivel flange combine the features of swivel external threads with an additional flange component. The flange is a flat or slightly curved metal or plastic plate attached to the gland body. It provides a mounting surface for securely fastening the cable gland to a panel or enclosure.

During installation, the swivel flange allows the gland body to remain stationary while only the external threads rotate. This makes it easier to tighten the cable gland connector onto the mating surface without having to rotate the entire gland body. Once the external threads are tightened, the flange can be secured to the panel or enclosure using screws or other fasteners, providing a stable and secure mounting arrangement.