Understanding The Nuances of Cable Glands
A cable gland goes by a number of names and is also called a connector or a fitting. What it essentially does is help attach a cable to the particular piece of equipment that needs it. The cable gland is what prevents any strain on the piece of machinery. The connection is made based on the kind of cable that it has been particularly designed to go with. In some cases the option of including a means of electrical connection to either the armor or the braid is also made. Cable glands also find use as part of the sealing cables that go through major bulk heads.
Cable glands can be made for both metallic as well as non-metallic based materials. Several infrastructure based industries use them as part of their wiring as well as cable based needs. This is especially in instrumentation that is electrical and automation as well.
You can use a cable gland on any kind of electrical power, in instrumentation, for data and communication cables and the like. They are also used to close up a device once a cable has been passed through it for security reasons.
In terms of the kind of materials and their grading, cable glands can come in plastic, brass, aluminium as well as stainless steel. It is essential to use cable glands for a number of reasons. You can connect a cable to a piece of equipment and be sure that it is secure. They help in maintaining what is known ingress protection. They help in the grounding or earth continuity of the equipment that they are attached to. Since they are flame proof, they will be able to withstand and contain any explosion that occurs internally.
Every place has a code of standards that is used to determine the quality of the cable glands. You have to make sure that yours passes the test. When you are choosing a cable gland, always be sure to consider a few factors. There is always some electrolytic action that takes place when two different materials come together. This will bring down the durability of the glands. The right amount of ingress protection is required. The piece will have to be certified for use in dangerous places.
You will also give to consider the size of the cable that you are going to be closing up. All of this will tell you whether your choice in cable glands will work well or not.