When you walk into any industrial facility, you will find cables running everywhere, through control panels, along cable trays, into machinery, and across walls. Every single one of those cables needs a secure, sealed entry point. That is exactly what a cable gland provides. But not every gland suits every application, and choosing the wrong one can lead to moisture ingress, mechanical failure, or a compromised enclosure rating.
This blog will cover everything you need to know about how to select the right cable gland for industrial use, including the meaning of “cable gland” and its types, how to choose a cable gland and its tips, and the right gland for common scenarios.
Introduction to Cable Gland
What is a cable gland? It is a fitting that attaches to the entry point of an enclosure, junction box, motor terminal box, or similar equipment. It holds the cable firmly in place, seals the opening against environmental ingress, and provides strain relief so the cable cannot move or be accidentally pulled out.
They come in many different materials, sizes, thread types, and designs. Understanding the types of cable glands available is where every good selection process begins.
In industrial environments, a poorly chosen gland can void an enclosure’s IP rating, create a safety hazard, or cause downtime that costs far more than the gland itself ever would have. That is why industrial cable gland selection should never be treated as an afterthought.
Types of Cable Glands
Before learning how to select the right cable gland, you need to understand what options are out there.
Brass Cable Glands
They are the most widely used in general industrial settings. They are electrically conductive, mechanically robust, and available in nickel-plated versions for added corrosion resistance. You will find them in switchgear, control panels, and general electrical enclosures across a huge range of industries.
Stainless Steel Cable Glands
They are built for tough environments. Where chemicals, salt spray, high humidity, or extreme temperatures are present, stainless steel outperforms brass considerably. They are a popular choice in food manufacturing, offshore installations, and chemical processing plants.
Nylon or Plastic Cable Glands
They are lightweight and non-conductive. They suit lighter-duty indoor applications where there is no requirement for electrical bonding and where cost-efficiency is a priority. They are corrosion-resistant and available in a wide range of sizes.
Armoured Cable Glands
They are specifically designed for steel wire armoured or steel tape armoured cables. They clamp the armour at the entry point, providing secure mechanical grip and maintaining earthing continuity through the gland body.
Explosion-Proof Cable Glands
They are certified for use in hazardous areas where flammable gases, vapours, or combustible dust may be present. These glands carry ATEX or IECEx certifications and are a legal and safety requirement in classified hazardous zones. They are non-negotiable on any site where explosive atmospheres can occur.
How to Choose a Cable Gland Step by Step
Here is a clear, practical breakdown of how to choose a cable gland step by step so you do not miss anything important during your selection process.
Step 1: Know Your Cable
Start with the cable itself. Is it armoured or unarmoured? Single core or multicore? What material is the outer sheath made from? Armoured cables require glands that can grip and earth the armour properly. Unarmoured cables simply need a secure grip and a good environmental seal.
Step 2: Measure the Cable Outer Diameter
Do not rely solely on the cable’s nominal size. Measure the actual outer diameter of the cable because this needs to fall within the gland’s clamping range. A gland that is too large will not seal correctly, and one that is too small simply will not fit. Measure accurately before ordering anything.
Step 3: Assess the Installation Environment
This step is the defining one in any industrial cable gland selection process. Consider where the gland will be installed and what conditions it will face. Is the location indoors or outdoors? Will it be exposed to rain, UV light, oils, chemicals, or high temperatures? Is the area classified as a hazardous zone?
Your environment determines the material, IP rating, and certifications you need. For external or wet conditions, waterproof cable glands UK installations typically call for at least IP66 or IP68 rated products. For aggressive chemical environments, stainless steel is almost always the right call.
Step 4: Match the IP Rating to Your Enclosure
The IP rating tells you the level of protection the gland provides against solid particles and water. For most industrial cable glands for sale, ratings range from IP54 through to IP68. The rule to remember is simple: the gland must match or exceed the IP rating required by the enclosure itself. The overall protection of your enclosure is only as good as its weakest point, and that is often the cable entry.
Step 5: Consider Earthing Requirements
If your cable has metallic armour or a metallic screen, earthing continuity through the gland is usually a requirement. Brass and stainless steel glands can both provide this when the correct gland type is selected. For sensitive control systems or power distribution applications, confirm that the gland maintains a reliable earth connection through the armour or screen.
Step 6: Verify Certifications
For hazardous area installations, the gland must carry the correct ATEX or IECEx certification for the zone it will be installed in. For standard UK industrial installations, look for compliance with BS EN 50262 or equivalent. When sourcing from cable gland suppliers in the UK, always request the actual certification documentation rather than relying on product listings alone. High quality cable glands from UK suppliers will have no hesitation in providing this.
Right Gland for Common Scenarios
- For an indoor control panel in a dry environment, a nickel-plated brass gland with IP55 protection and a neoprene seal is typically sufficient.
- For outdoor junction boxes exposed to rain and UV, go with waterproof cable glands in UV-stabilized nylon or stainless steel with at least an IP66 rating.
- For SWA cables entering distribution boards or switchgear, use an armoured cable gland with an earth tag and a properly tightened lock nut for secure panel mounting.
- For hazardous zone applications involving gas or combustible dust, certified explosion-proof glands with the correct ATEX category for your specific zone are mandatory and non-negotiable.
Tips for Cable Gland Installation
Even the best products on the market will underperform if they are not fitted correctly. Here are some cable gland installation tips that are worth keeping in mind on every job.
- Prepare the cable end carefully. For armoured cables, cut back the armour cleanly and check that no loose wire strands are protruding. These can pierce seals or compromise earthing contact.
- Do not overtighten. Brass glands in particular can crack or deform under excessive torque, which breaks the seal. Tighten firmly by hand, then apply a spanner for roughly a quarter to half turn beyond that. This is usually all that is needed.
- Always use the correct seal size. Most glands come with multiple seal options to cover different cable diameters within the clamping range. A seal that is too large will leave gaps, and one that is too small will not compress properly.
- Use thread sealant tape where needed, especially for outdoor or wet area installations, to prevent water from tracking along the thread and entering the enclosure.
- After installation, do a visual check. If the cable moves in the gland or the seal looks uneven or distorted, the installation needs to be redone before the enclosure is closed up.
Are You Ready to Find the Right Cable Gland for Your Project?
Stop second-guessing your cable gland selection and start your next project on solid ground. At raidenelectric.co.uk, we stock a full range of industrial cable glands for sale across every material, size, IP rating, and certification you need for professional industrial installations across the UK.
Whether you are specifying waterproof cable glands in the UK for an outdoor installation, armoured glands for a power distribution board, or ATEX-certified glands for a hazardous area project, our team is here to help you get it right the first time.
FAQs
Q1. What is the most important factor in selecting the right cable gland?
The most important factor in how to select the right cable gland is matching the gland to both the cable and the environment at the same time. Many engineers focus only on the cable size and overlook the installation conditions.
Q2. How do I know which type of cable gland to use for an armoured cable?
Armoured cables need a gland that is specifically designed to clamp the armour and maintain earthing continuity. Among the types of cable glands available, armoured brass or stainless steel glands with an inner cone and lock nut arrangement are the standard choice.
Q3. What IP rating do I need for waterproof cable glands in outdoor installations?
For outdoor industrial installations exposed to rain, hose-down, or temporary immersion, options for waterproof cable glands in the UK with an IP66 rating are the minimum recommended standard.
Q4. Can I use plastic cable glands in industrial environments?
Nylon or plastic cable glands can be used in industrial environments where the conditions are not particularly harsh and where electrical bonding is not required.
Q5. How do I calculate the right cable gland size for my cable?
The key measurement for gland sizing is the actual outer diameter of the cable, not its nominal cable size. Measure the outer sheath diameter with a vernier caliper and cross-reference it against the gland’s listed clamping range. Every gland in a good industrial cable gland selection range will clearly state its minimum and maximum cable diameter.
Q6. What certifications should I look for when buying cable glands for hazardous areas?
For hazardous area installations, the gland must carry ATEX certification for use within the European and UK regulatory framework or IECEx certification for international standards.
Q7. Where can I find high quality cable glands in the UK with full technical support?
For high quality cable glands UK buyers trust for industrial and hazardous area applications, Raiden stocks a comprehensive range covering brass, stainless steel, nylon, armoured, and explosion-proof options.