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Selecting the Correct Cable Gland & Accessories

2020-05-19


Selecting the Correct Cable Gland & Accessories


The following steps, together with the information throughout our cable gland catalogue, will ensure that the Cable Gland selected will be fit for purpose and perform to relevant specifications.

Alternatively, view our full range of cable glands here.

  • Identify the type of cable to be used
  • Check the construction, size and material properties of the cable
  • Check the size of the overall cable diameter ‘B’

When the cable is armoured, check the following in addition:

  • Type and material of the cable armour*
  • Short circuit fault current rating of the cable armour**
  • Diameter of the inner bedding (where present) ‘A’
  • Diameter of the lead covering (where present)


  • Size and type of armour or braid (where present) ‘C’


  • Understanding the intended installation for the Cable Gland, check the following:

    • Any special environmental requirements in relation to corrosion protection
    • The material of the mating electrical enclosures to eliminate dissimilar metals where possible or if required
    • Whether any protective plating or coating is required to be applied to the Cable Gland, e.g. Nickel Plating
    • The type and size of the cable entry hole in the mating electrical equipment
    • The wall thickness of the enclosure or gland plate, as a longer cable gland thread may be required
    • The ingress protection rating of the electrical equipment or site standard required to be maintained
    • Whether a single seal or double seal Cable Gland is required
    • If an entry thread sealing washer is required to meet the ingress protection rating
    • Is there is a deluge protection requirement ‘D’
    • If fixing accessories such as locknuts and serrated washers are required
    • If an earth tag or grounding locknut is required**
    • If shrouds are required
    • If a thread conversion adaptor/reducer is required to complete the installation
    • If any stopper plugs are required to close unused cable entries
    • Select a Cable Gland type

    For installations in explosive atmospheres, special considerations should be taken into account to ensure compliance with national or international standard codes of practice.

    Accessory Selection

    In addition to entry thread sealing washers, ZC also provides standard locknuts, grounding locknuts, earth tags, serrated washers and shrouds as required, which should be used as appropriate to the installation standard or equipment configuration.

    These ZC accessories may be critical to the safety of the installation and overall performance, it is vital that the ZC accessories are correctly specified and installed. Accessories are not typically included with the cable glands as standard, unless a cable gland pack/kit is ordered.

    In order to maintain product warranty it is vital that genuine ZC accessories are used for installation of ZC cable glands. Compatibility of material selection, short circuit rating (in the case of earth tags and grounding locknuts) and sealing performance (in the case of sealing washers) cannot be guaranteed if accessories from other sources are used.


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