Cable glands are an essential part of electrical installations. They provide a secure entry point for cables into electrical enclosures, control panels, junction boxes and other equipment while helping protect cables from mechanical stress, dust and moisture.
When selecting a cable gland, material is one of the factors that should not be overlooked. Terms such as plastic cable glands and PVC cable glands are sometimes used interchangeably, but they do not necessarily refer to the same thing.
In fact, PVC is a specific type of plastic. In cable gland applications, however, “plastic cable glands” commonly refers to glands manufactured from engineering plastics such as nylon or polyamide, while PVC is more commonly associated with cable insulation, sheathing and accessories such as shrouds.
This guide explains the differences, features, applications and selection considerations to help you choose the right cable gland for your installation.
What Is a Cable Gland?
A cable gland is a mechanical cable entry device used to secure a cable where it enters electrical equipment or an enclosure. It can provide strain relief, help maintain the enclosure’s ingress protection and, depending on the design, support earthing and bonding requirements.
The right cable gland depends on several factors, including:
- Cable construction
- Cable diameter
- Armoured or unarmoured cable
- Installation environment
- Required ingress protection
- Material compatibility
- Thread type and size
- Temperature conditions
- Electrical and mechanical requirements
Raiden Electric offers a range of cable glands designed for different cable and installation requirements, including BW, CW, E1W and A2 cable glands.
What Are Plastic Cable Glands?
Plastic cable glands are generally manufactured from engineering plastics such as nylon/polyamide rather than PVC. They are lightweight and can provide good resistance to corrosion, moisture and many common chemicals.
Plastic glands are often considered for electrical installations where a lightweight, non-metallic cable entry solution is appropriate.
Features of Plastic Cable Glands
Common features include:
- Lightweight construction
- Corrosion resistance
- Good mechanical performance
- Resistance to moisture
- Electrical insulation
- Easy installation
- Compatibility with many electrical enclosures
- Availability in different cable diameter ranges
The exact performance of a plastic gland depends on its material, design and certification. Therefore, specifications should always be checked before selecting one for a particular installation.
What Are PVC Cable Glands?
PVC stands for polyvinyl chloride, a widely used thermoplastic material found in electrical cables, conduits, trunking and other electrical accessories.
It is important to distinguish between a PVC component used with a cable gland and a complete cable gland manufactured from PVC.
For example, cable gland systems may incorporate PVC shrouds or other PVC accessories. Raiden’s product catalogue specifically lists PVC shrouds as cable gland accessories, available to suit different gland sizes.
Therefore, when someone searches for “PVC cable glands”, they may actually be looking for a cable gland suitable for PVC-sheathed cables or a gland supplied with a PVC shroud.
Plastic vs PVC Cable Glands: What Is the Difference?
The biggest difference is that plastic is a broad category of materials, whereas PVC is one specific type of plastic.
For cable gland applications, plastic glands are more commonly made from engineering materials such as nylon or polyamide. PVC, meanwhile, is widely used for cable insulation, sheathing and accessories.
Feature | Plastic Cable Glands | PVC Components/Accessories |
Material | Often nylon/polyamide or other engineering plastics | Polyvinyl chloride |
Weight | Generally lightweight | Lightweight |
Corrosion resistance | Generally good | Generally good |
Electrical insulation | Good | Good |
Typical use | Cable entry and strain relief | Cable insulation, shrouds and accessories |
Flexibility | Depends on material and design | Depends on formulation |
Application | Electrical and control installations | Cable systems and electrical accessories |
Because “plastic cable gland” can describe several different materials, it is better to check the manufacturer’s technical specification rather than selecting a product based only on the word “plastic”.
Types of Cable Glands
Cable glands can be classified in several ways, including by cable construction and application.
BW Cable Glands
BW cable glands are commonly used for armoured cables in indoor applications where additional ingress protection is not the primary requirement.
They can provide cable termination and bonding through an earth tag, making them suitable for applications such as switchgear and motor control panels.
CW Cable Glands
CW cable glands are designed for armoured cables and provide sealing around the cable outer sheath. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor applications where protection against dust and moisture is required.
Raiden’s CW cable gland specifications list brass as the standard gland material and nickel-plated brass as an option, with sealing around the cable outer sheath.
E1W Cable Glands
E1W cable glands are another option within Raiden’s cable gland range and are designed for specific armoured cable termination requirements.
A2 Cable Glands
A2 cable glands are used for suitable cable termination applications and form part of Raiden’s range of cable glands for electrical installations.
Plastic vs Metal Cable Glands
Although plastic cable glands can be useful in certain installations, metal glands are often preferred where greater mechanical strength, durability, earthing or bonding performance is required.
Metal cable glands are available in materials such as:
- Brass
- Nickel-plated brass
- Stainless steel
- Aluminium
Raiden Electric’s cable gland range focuses on metal gland solutions for applications ranging from general industrial installations to marine, hazardous and high-voltage environments.
When Should You Choose a Plastic Cable Gland?
A plastic cable gland may be appropriate when:
- A lightweight solution is preferred
- Corrosion resistance is important
- Electrical insulation is required
- The application does not demand the mechanical characteristics of a metal gland
- The gland’s material is compatible with the surrounding equipment and environment
However, the gland should always be selected according to the cable type, enclosure requirements, environmental conditions and applicable standards.
When Should You Choose a Metal Cable Gland?
A metal gland may be the better option when the installation requires:
- Greater mechanical robustness
- Armoured cable termination
- Earthing or bonding
- Higher resistance to demanding industrial conditions
- Long-term durability
- Compatibility with heavy-duty electrical installations
For example, Raiden’s CW cable glands are designed for armoured cables and include sealing intended to provide protection against dust and moisture.
Applications of Cable Glands
Cable glands are used across a wide range of electrical and industrial applications.
Industrial Installations
Industrial equipment often requires secure cable entry and protection against mechanical and environmental stresses. Cable glands can be used with control panels, electrical equipment and distribution systems.
Control Panels
Cable glands help provide an organised and secure entry point for cables entering control panels and electrical enclosures.
Power Distribution
Cable glands are widely used for cable termination in electrical distribution equipment. The appropriate type depends on cable construction and the installation requirements.
Outdoor Applications
Outdoor installations can expose cables and enclosures to rain, dust, temperature changes and other environmental conditions. In these applications, the gland’s ingress protection and sealing performance should be carefully considered.
Marine and Harsh Environments
For demanding environments, material selection becomes particularly important. Metal glands such as brass, nickel-plated brass or stainless steel may be considered where greater durability and environmental resistance are required.
How to Choose the Right Cable Gland
Choosing a cable gland should involve more than simply selecting plastic or metal. Consider the complete installation.
1. Identify the Cable Type
First determine whether the cable is armoured or unarmoured. Different cable constructions require different gland designs.
2. Measure the Cable Diameter
The gland must be suitable for the cable’s actual diameter. An incorrect size can affect clamping and sealing performance.
3. Consider the Environment
Check whether the gland will be installed indoors, outdoors, in a wet environment, or in an industrial or corrosive location.
4. Check the Required IP Rating
Where protection against dust and water is required, select a gland with an appropriate ingress protection rating for the application.
5. Check the Material
Consider whether plastic, brass, nickel-plated brass, stainless steel or another material is appropriate for the installation.
6. Consider Earthing and Bonding
For armoured cables and electrical systems where bonding is required, the gland design should support the necessary earthing arrangement.
7. Check Standards and Certifications
Always check the manufacturer’s technical documentation for applicable standards, certifications, operating conditions and installation requirements.
Plastic vs PVC Cable Glands: Which One Should You Choose?
There is no universal answer because “plastic” and “PVC” do not represent two directly equivalent cable gland categories.
If you are considering a non-metallic cable gland, check the actual material, such as nylon or polyamide, rather than relying on the generic term plastic. If PVC is mentioned, determine whether it refers to the gland itself, the cable sheath or an accessory such as a PVC shroud.
For armoured cables, demanding industrial environments or applications requiring robust termination and bonding, a suitable metal cable gland may be more appropriate.
Raiden Electric provides a range of BW, CW, E1W and A2 cable glands, with options designed for different cable termination requirements.
Conclusion
Choosing the right cable gland is essential for creating a secure and reliable cable entry. While plastic and PVC are sometimes treated as interchangeable terms, they should not be considered identical when selecting cable gland components.
Plastic cable glands are generally associated with engineering plastics such as nylon or polyamide, while PVC is commonly used for cable insulation, sheathing and accessories such as shrouds. For demanding industrial, armoured-cable and bonding applications, metal cable glands may provide the characteristics required for the installation.
Before choosing a gland, always consider the cable type, cable diameter, enclosure, environment, ingress protection requirements, material compatibility and applicable standards.
For reliable cable gland solutions for industrial and electrical applications, explore the Raiden Electric cable gland range and select the option that matches your installation requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
No. PVC is a type of plastic, but “plastic cable gland” usually refers to glands made from engineering plastics such as nylon or polyamide. PVC may instead be used in cable insulation, sheathing or accessories.
Some plastic cable glands can be suitable for outdoor applications, but suitability depends on the gland’s material, design, IP rating, UV resistance and environmental specifications.
Generally, metal glands can provide greater mechanical robustness and are often selected for demanding industrial and armoured-cable applications. However, the correct choice depends on the specific gland design and installation requirements.
Yes. Cable glands can be used with cables that have PVC insulation or sheathing, provided the gland is correctly sized and suitable for the cable construction and application.
Raiden Electric currently lists BW, CW, E1W and A2 cable glands. Its cable gland range includes metal options such as brass, nickel-plated brass, stainless steel and aluminium.