A cable gland connects a cable to an electrical source and secures it. They are categorized based on industrial or hazardous use, and armored or unarmored cables. Glands can be made of metal or plastic and provide safety features such as wire grounding and insulation.
A cable gland is a fitting that connects a cable to an electrical source and is also able to secure the cable so that it does not fall out. Cable gland units are placed into different categories, depending on whether the cable gland is used for general industrial work or needs protection against high temperature or explosion hazards. The cables that fit into the glands are either armored or unarmoured, and you will need a different type of gland for each variety. The gland itself can be made of metals, such as brass or aluminum, or plastic; each material is useful in a different environment.
When electrical work is being done, it is possible to secure a cable to electrical equipment without a strain relief, but this is a bad idea for several reasons. The strain relief provides holding power, which ensures that the cable does not slip during operation. Safety is also provided, as the strain relief ensures that electrical energy cannot be absorbed by the cable, causing injury to anyone nearby. Cable glands often provide other safety features, such as wire grounding or cable insulation, which is why they are often used for cable connections.
There are two main categories for cable glands: industrial and hazardous. An industrial cable gland is a general purpose cable gland that meets general risk requirements, so it is useful in environments without high temperatures or explosion risk. If the environment is hazardous, a hazardous stuffing box is used, as these stuffing boxes meet the necessary additional requirements. They’re extra fortified, so they’re resistant to temperatures and external forces that general glands can’t handle.
The two types of cables that can fit into a gland are classified as armored or unarmoured, and this will play into which gland will be chosen for the job. An armored cable will require a gland that can clamp onto the wires and has the ability to terminate energy from the armored sections. Unarmored cables do not require termination, but cable glands need a high degree of protection and retention to keep the cables secure.
Most cable gland units are made from brass, which is considered a general purpose material that is corrosion resistant and conductive. In the presence of aluminum and moisture at the same time, brass can start to corrode. Brass is often plated with other metals to make the gland stronger and better against corrosion. Plastic is often used as an alternative to metal glands.
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