A cable gland is a mechanical fitting designed to provide a secure entry point for electrical cables into panels, machinery, equipment, and enclosures. It firmly secures the cable, protects it against pulling forces, and prevents water, dust, moisture, and other external contaminants from entering the system. Widely used in industrial facilities, automation systems, food production lines, and power plants, cable glands play a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and long service life of electrical installations.
Selecting the right cable gland depends on factors such as cable diameter, operating environment, temperature, chemical resistance, IP protection rating, and the specific application. This complete guide walks through every major cable gland type offered by Bimed, the accessories that go alongside them, and the exact criteria to check before making a final selection.
What Is a Cable Gland?
A cable gland is a mechanical component that provides cable retention, sealing, and environmental protection at the point where an electrical cable enters equipment or an enclosure. When properly installed, a cable gland prevents cable movement, protects cable insulation, and helps maintain the IP protection rating of electrical panels.
In industrial applications, cable glands not only secure cables but also improve system safety by protecting against vibration, moisture, water, oil, chemicals, and electromagnetic interference (EMI).
Functions of a Cable Gland
- Securely fastens the cable in place.
- Prevents the ingress of water, dust, and moisture.
- Protects the cable against pulling forces and vibration.
- Maintains the IP protection rating of electrical enclosures.
- Provides a clean and professional cable entry solution.
- Depending on the application, can provide EMC shielding or armored cable termination.
Brass Cable Glands
Brass cable glands are among the most widely used cable gland types in industrial applications thanks to their high mechanical strength and long service life. Their nickel-plated finish provides excellent corrosion resistance, making them suitable for demanding operating environments. Bimed's Standard Cable Glands, Brass cover general-purpose sealing needs, while the Compression Type Cable Glands, Brass provide a tighter, higher-pressure seal for more demanding installations. The full range can be browsed under Industrial Cable Glands.
Applications
- Electrical panels
- Machinery manufacturing
- Industrial automation systems
- Power and energy facilities
- Industrial production lines
Advantages
- High mechanical strength
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Long service life
- Suitable for a wide temperature range
Polyamide Cable Glands
Polyamide cable glands are widely preferred for electrical installations due to their lightweight construction, cost-effectiveness, and excellent insulating properties. Available with UV-resistant and flame-retardant options, they are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. Bimed's Standard Cable Glands, Plastic are the standard choice for this category, and for harsher mechanical duty, the High Performance Cable Glands offer added strength while remaining lightweight.
Applications
- Electrical panels
- Control boxes
- Machine wiring systems
- Building automation
- Lighting systems
Advantages
- Cost-effective solution
- Excellent electrical insulation
- Corrosion-free material
- Lightweight and easy to install
Stainless Steel Cable Glands
Stainless steel cable glands offer outstanding resistance to harsh chemicals, seawater, and hygienic environments. Manufactured from AISI 304 or AISI 316 stainless steel, these cable glands provide exceptional durability and require minimal maintenance over their service life. Bimed's Standard Cable Glands, Stainless Steel are widely specified for these conditions, and for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical lines that require wash-down durability, the dedicated Hygienic Products range — including Hygienic Cable Glands — is purpose-built to meet hygienic design standards.
Applications
- Food processing plants
- Pharmaceutical facilities
- Chemical plants
- Marine applications
- Outdoor industrial installations
Advantages
- Superior corrosion resistance
- Hygienic design
- Long-lasting performance
- Suitable for harsh environments
EMC Cable Glands
EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) cable glands are specifically designed to reduce electromagnetic interference. They establish direct contact with the cable shielding, allowing electromagnetic noise to be safely discharged to ground. Bimed offers a full EMC Cable Glands range, from the EMC 2, EMC 3, and EMC 4 Cable Glands for general shielded-cable termination, up to the EMC Servo Ampacity Cable Glands designed specifically for high-current servo motor cabling.
EMC cable glands are particularly important in applications involving frequency converters, servo motors, industrial automation systems, and other sensitive electronic equipment.
Applications
- PLC control panels
- Servo motor systems
- Robotic applications
- Industrial automation
- Variable frequency drives (VFDs)
Advantages
- Reduces electromagnetic interference
- Improves signal quality
- Complies with EMC standards
- Protects sensitive electronic equipment
Armored Cable Glands
Armored cable glands are designed for the safe termination of armored cables used in demanding industrial environments. They provide secure grounding of the cable armor while delivering superior mechanical strength. These cable glands are commonly used in power transmission systems and heavy industrial applications. Bimed's Armoured Cable Glands category includes the general-purpose Armoured Cable Gland, the Corrosion Proof Cable Glands for aggressive outdoor conditions, and the Industrial Volans Cable Glands for heavier armored cable constructions.
Applications
- Petrochemical plants
- Power generation facilities
- Mining operations
- Heavy industrial plants
- Outdoor power distribution systems
Advantages
- Fully compatible with armored cables
- Provides excellent mechanical protection
- Ensures reliable grounding
- Suitable for harsh operating environments
Special-Purpose Cable Glands
Beyond the five core material types, certain environments call for cable glands engineered for a specific risk or industry. Understanding these options helps ensure the guide above is applied correctly to more demanding installations.
Hazardous (Ex) Area Cable Glands
For zones with a risk of explosive atmospheres, Bimed's Hazardous Cable Glands range covers both double compression designs — such as Orion and Volans — and single compression designs like Octans and Crux, along with Barrier Glands for zone-separation applications.
Railway Cable Glands
Rolling stock and rail infrastructure have their own vibration, fire, and EMC requirements. Bimed's Railway Cable Glands line, including the Railway EMC-4 and Railway Servo Ampacity variants, is engineered specifically to meet railway industry standards.
Cable Plates for Multi-Cable Entries
When several cables need to enter an enclosure through a single cut-out, Cable Plates — such as the BPA Cable Plates and Quadro EMC Cable Plate — are a more practical alternative to fitting multiple individual glands.
How to Choose the Right Cable Gland
Choosing the appropriate cable gland requires careful evaluation of the application's technical requirements. An incorrectly selected cable gland may reduce the enclosure's IP protection rating, damage the cable, and compromise overall system safety.
- Cable diameter
- Cable type
- Operating temperature
- Required IP protection rating
- Material type
- Chemical resistance
- UV resistance
- EMC requirements
- Armored or unarmored cable construction
A correctly chosen gland is only half the job — sealing and fixing accessories complete the installation. Depending on the cable and enclosure, it is worth checking Bimed's Seals (including Reducing Seals and Multihole Seals for non-standard or multi-core cables), Locknuts for secure panel fixing, and Dome Plugs for sealing unused gland entries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cable gland size is determined by the outer diameter of the cable, not the thread size of the enclosure entry alone. Each gland size covers a specific clamping range, so the cable's actual diameter should always be measured and checked against the manufacturer's clamping range table before ordering.
The IP (Ingress Protection) rating indicates how well the gland resists solid particles (like dust) and liquids (like water). A correctly installed, properly sized cable gland is required to maintain the enclosure's overall IP rating — an oversized or poorly sealed gland can lower the protection level of the entire panel.
Yes, as long as the gland is UV-resistant and rated for outdoor use. Standard Cable Glands, Plastic with UV and flame-retardant properties are suitable for many outdoor installations, though brass or stainless steel options are generally preferred where higher mechanical strength or chemical resistance is required.
A standard cable gland only seals and mechanically secures the cable. An EMC cable gland additionally makes direct 360° contact with the cable's shielding braid, grounding electromagnetic interference and improving signal integrity — essential for servo motors, VFDs, and other sensitive automation wiring.
Yes. Standard industrial cable glands are not certified for use in explosive atmospheres. Installations in zones with a risk of gas or dust explosion must use certified Hazardous Cable Glands, selected according to the required Ex protection type (e.g. increased safety or flameproof) and cable armor construction.
In many cases, yes. A locknut secures the gland to thin panels, a reducing or multihole seal adapts the gland to non-standard or multi-core cables, and a dome plug seals off any entry points left unused, keeping the enclosure's IP rating intact.
Conclusion
Cable glands are essential components for ensuring safe and reliable cable connections in electrical and industrial automation systems. Brass, polyamide, stainless steel, EMC, and armored cable glands provide solutions tailored to different industries while enhancing system safety, durability, and performance, and hazardous-area, railway, and hygienic variants extend this protection to more specialized environments. Selecting the right cable gland for the intended application — and pairing it with the correct seals, locknuts, and dome plugs — helps protect equipment, reduce maintenance costs, and ensure long-term operational reliability.
