A Cable Gland is a device which attaches and secures the end of an electrical cable to the equipment. It seals the cable and retain it in the electrical equipment. These glands also pack in several other functions such as earthing, grounding, insulation, bonding, and act as a strain relief. You can find out more in our cable gland sizing guide.
RS offers an extensive range of quality products from leading brands including Lapp, HellermannTyton, Phoenix Contact, SIB Harting, CMP, and of course, RS PRO. Apart from cable glands, we also offer a wide catalogue of professional services from procurement solutions to design and manufacturing.
There are many types of cable glands in the market today. Which one to choose depends solely on the application and environment, such as whether your cable is flat or round. Cable gland types, materials, thread size, and ingress protection are all key points to consider before buying one.
These glands are robust and can cope with the high demands of harsher environments. Generally made out of a metal material, such as brass, stainless steel, and nickel, these cable glands are designed to securely hold the end of an electrical cable that is connected to the apparatus.
Due to their clamp and seal design, plastic cable glands have a wider cable entry range. They are ideal for flexible cables and provide high strain relief. Plastic cable gland materials include polyamide and nylon.
There are two main thread types on a cable gland - metric and general purpose (GP). Both types are designed to provide electrical continuity and strain relief for cables or wires that are entering into an enclosure. Metric sizes range from M6 to M63, or PG7 to PG21. The glands can be supplied with a locknut, which are also available as a separate accessory.
Ingress protection, or IP rating, refers to the level of protection provided by a cable gland against the ingress of foreign bodies (such as dust) and water. This can be a key point when selecting the right cable gland - on top of other factors such as waterproof or industrial grade features. The protection classes for these cable glands range from IP44 to IP69K, with the most popular being IP67 or IP68.
If an individual cable gland is not required, we also offer a selection of gland packs and kits including:
Armoured cable gland kits: Used for fitting glands to cables, with an extra layer of protection - such as Steel Wire Armoured (SWA) cables.
Unarmoured cable gland kits: Used for cables with one or two mutually sealed conductors. For example, double compression cable glands are used with unarmored cables, which do not have an outer metal sheath or armour - providing extra security and strain relief by compressing the cable from both sides.
ATEX or flameproof kits: Used with cables in petrochemical cable fittings.
Hazardous kits: Used as a cable shroud in dangerous or high-risk enclosures. One example are Hawke cable glands which are suitable for both elastomer and plastic insulated cables.