Cable glands are used in conjunction with cables and wires for electrical systems including lighting, power, data and telecoms. Cable glands act as a sealing and terminating device, to protect equipment and enclosures from dust and moisture, as well as protecting cables from being pulled or twisted. Our range of cable glands include nylon, brass nickel plated, brass BW, CW, A1/A2, CX and E1W, and brass and nylon hazardous area glands.
What are cable glands?
Cable glands are fittings used to secure, terminate and seal cables at enclosure entry points. They provide mechanical strain relief and environmental sealing, preventing dust, water ingress and cable damage at every cable entry. Cablecraft’s cable glands help ensure a secure, compliant finish on electrical wiring, from control panels to junction boxes.
Types of cable glands
Cablecraft offers all common types of cable glands for different applications:
- Brass cable glands: A popular choice for general electrical installations due to their durability and corrosion resistance. (Ideal for industrial and building applications.)
- Stainless steel cable glands: Suited for harsh or corrosive environments (e.g. washdown or coastal use) where maximum corrosion resistance is needed.
- Nylon cable glands: Lightweight, cost-effective glands widely used in control panels, consumer units and light-duty enclosures.
- EMC cable glands: Designed with integrated shielding and grounding (screening) to maintain electromagnetic compatibility for sensitive equipment.
- Armoured cable glands: Special glands for steel wire armoured (SWA) or metal-sheathed cables, providing strong retention and insulation for armoured cable terminations.
- ATEX / Ex cable glands: Certified glands for explosive/hazardous areas, used on projects requiring ATEX, IECEx or other hazardous area compliance.
Each gland type is linked above to the corresponding Cablecraft product category for easy navigation.
Cable gland accessories
To ensure complete sealing and reliability, Cablecraft also stocks all key cable gland accessories:
- Locknuts: Secure cable glands firmly to panels and enclosures, preventing loosening under vibration.
- Sealing washers: Provide an IP-rated barrier to moisture and dust around the gland threads, improving ingress protection.
- O-rings: Enhance the compression seal inside the gland for a tighter, more dependable waterproof seal.
- Earth tags/bonding washers: Allow armoured and EMC cable glands to be reliably bonded to the panel earth for safe grounding.
- Shrouds & protective caps: Attach to unused gland entries to protect them from dirt, paint or damage during installation.
- Blanking plugs: Seal off spare entry holes in junction boxes or cabinets to maintain IP rating even with unused conduits.
All these accessories are compatible with Cablecraft’s full range of nylon, brass and metal glands, ensuring you can complete your installation without mixing and matching parts.
How to choose the right cable gland
Choosing the right cable gland involves matching the gland material and size to your environment and cable type. In short: pick a gland rated for your enclosure’s IP, sized for your cable outer diameter, and made of the material suited to your conditions (e.g., nylon for general use, metal for high durability, EMC for screened cables).
For a step-by-step decision process, use our Cable Gland Selection Guide, which will walk you through selecting the correct gland, accessories, and IP rating.
Cable gland applications
Cable glands are used wherever cables pass through an enclosure or panel. Common applications include:
- Control panels and distribution boards
- Junction boxes and industrial cabinets
- Outdoor enclosures and lighting columns
- Machinery and manufacturing equipment
- Hazardous area installations (with Ex-certified glands)
In each case, the right cable gland helps protect the cable entry from moisture, dust and mechanical strain.
Why choose Cablecraft cable glands?
Cablecraft’s cable glands and accessories stand out because of:
- Extensive stock availability: We keep all sizes and types of glands in stock for fast UK delivery. Most cable glands are eligible for next day delivery.
- Expert technical support: Our team can help select the right gland and accessory combination for your project.
- Full compliance: Cablecraft glands meet IP and national/international standards (BS EN, IECEx/ATEX, etc.) for safety and performance.
- Deep range: From economy nylon glands to specialist EMC and Ex-rated glands, our range covers every application.
These factors ensure your installation is completed quickly, safely and within regulations.
