The role of cable glands plays an important role in managing the cables. They are designed in a way so as to attach one end of the cable and connect them to the electrical equipment. The role of these glands is to provide earthing to the electrical device and protect it from sudden voltage spikes, insulation, good bonding to the device. Sometimes they are also used for sealing the cables which pass through the bulkheads of the glandular plates.
Many of the times they are seen in cables which are in danger of catching an electrical spark or fire. They are used for protecting the inside of the cable from contaminations like dust particles, fluids, etc. Also, they help to resist the twisting of the cables and ensure a smooth connection remains at all times.
Range Of Choices While Choosing Them
The cable glands come in all types of shapes and sizes. They are used in different cables so there is no one size that fits all. But while choosing them you need to consider a lot of things most of which are related to the device specifications to which they will be connected and some environmental conditions like-
- Is it connected indoors or outdoors?
- Is it in a safe zone or in an industrial zone or hazardous zone?
- What is the annual range of temperature it will be exposed to?
- What is the rainfall if the region and the average humidity?
- Will it have any corroding substances nearby?
Get To Know The Things Before Choosing The Right One
There are mostly two types of cable glands-armored and non-armored. The armored ones have an extra protective layer and are generally used when they are connected to cables outside.
To make sure that you select the right type of glands you have to consider the cable specifications like the diameter of the cable, size and composition material of the cable.
In case you have decided to go for armored cables you have to take the following factors into consideration like the diameter of the inner bedding, lead covering diameter, fault rating of short-circuit for the cable armor, and the size of the armor braids.
Choosing The Right Type Of Material
While choosing the material for the glands you have to consider the conditions they will be exposed to. Accordingly, there are two types of cable glands- metal ones and plastic ones.
Metal glands are used in the chemical industries and electrical industries due to their resistance to the chemicals. It is also highly stable in the wet and highly humid conditions.
Plastic glands can be fitted with a wide variety of cables due to their structural design so they are also highly used in a wide range of industries. They are highly resistant to saltwater, grease and weak acids.
What Are The Different Types Of Mounting?
There is also a choice for the cable mountings that have to be made. This includes-
- Adhesive or compound based
- Bolted and flanged
- Nut or threaded
- Welded or casted
Extra Features For Extra Protection
The cable glands need to be of a specific quality and sometimes they have to perform beyond their capabilities in extreme weather conditions like extreme cold or tropical conditions of storms and rainfall. Consider discussing the same while buying them.
Final Verdict
The cable glands may seem very ordinary but while buying them there are a lot of things to consider. Most of the things have been stated above which you can consider as a buying guide. Although this list is not exhaustive so always tell your specifications before buying them.
