The Cable That Pulled Out (No Gland)
We ran a sensor cable (article 166) into the panel. The cable went through a hole (no gland, just a plastic bushing). On the floor, the cable pulled (the technician tugged it). The bushing slipped (the cable moved). The connection (inside the panel) loosened (the sensor failed intermittently). The problem: no cable gland (the cable wasn’t secured). We added a cable gland (a screwed gland, which clamps the cable). The cable was secured (it didn’t pull). The sensor worked. The mistake was not using a gland (just a hole).
Cable glands secure the cable (and maintain the IP rating). This article covers the selection.
The Cable Gland
A cable gland (a fitting) screws into the panel wall. The cable goes through the gland. The gland has a seal (a rubber insert) that clamps the cable (water/dust-tight). The gland secures the cable (it doesn’t pull out) and maintains the IP rating (article 77).
Step 1: The Cable Diameter
A gland fits a cable diameter range (e.g., 6–12 mm). Pick the gland for the cable’s OD (outside diameter). A gland that’s too big (for a small cable) doesn’t seal (it leaks). A gland that’s too small (for a big cable) doesn’t fit. Measure the cable (OD) and pick the gland’s range.
Step 2: The IP Rating (Article 77)
The gland has an IP rating. A standard gland is IP54 (dust, splash). For a washdown (IP65), use an IP65 gland (with a sealed insert). For outdoors (IP67), use IP67. Match the gland’s IP to the panel’s (article 77).
The gland rule: Use a cable gland (not just a hole). The cable that pulled out had no gland. Pick the gland for the cable’s OD (range). Match the IP (article 77). For a shielded cable, use an EMV gland (article 182).
Step 3: The Material
- Plastic (nylon): Cheap. General. Not for high temp.
- Brass: Strong. For industrial. Nickel-plated (corrosion).
- Stainless: For washdown (food). Corrosion-resistant.
Step 4: The EMV Gland (Article 182)
For a shielded cable (encoder, servo, article 182), use an EMV gland (a shielded gland). The EMV gland clamps the shield (360°) to the panel (the high-frequency noise drains, article 182). A non-EMV gland (plastic) doesn’t ground the shield (it just holds the cable).
| Gland | Use |
|---|---|
| Plastic (nylon) | General (IP54) |
| Brass (nickel) | Industrial (IP65) |
| Stainless | Washdown (food, IP66) |
| EMV (shielded) | Servo/encoder (article 182) |
A Gland Checklist
- Is the cable going through a gland? (Not a hole?)
- Is the gland the right size? (Cable OD?)
- Is the IP rating right? (Article 77?)
- Is the material right? (Plastic/brass/stainless?)
- For a shielded cable: EMV gland? (Article 182?)
- Is the gland tight? (No pull?)
- Is the seal in place? (IP?)
- Does the cable pull? (Test?)
- Is there extra length? (Inside the panel?)
- Is it labeled? (Article 170?)
The Bottom Line
Cable glands secure the cable (and seal). The cable that pulled out had no gland. Use a gland (sized to the OD, with the right IP). For a shielded cable, use an EMV gland (article 182). The cable that stayed secure wasn’t the best cable — it had a gland.
