Chapter 1: Brass Cable Gland Definition
Brass cable glands are mechanical devices designed to secure and seal the ends of electrical cables where they enter equipment or enclosures. Their main function is to provide a safe, sealed connection that protects cables from dust, moisture, and environmental hazards, while also offering strain relief to prevent cable damage from tension or movement.
These glands are commonly used in telecommunications, data transmission, control instruments, and electrical equipment. They serve as both termination and sealing devices, ensuring that cables remain securely attached and protected in various applications.
What is a Brass Cable Gland?
A brass cable gland is specifically made from high-quality brass, a copper-zinc alloy known for its excellent electrical conductivity, durability, and resistance to corrosion. This makes brass cable glands suitable for harsh or demanding environments, including industrial, marine, and hazardous locations.
Brass cable glands can connect different types of cables, including armoured and unarmoured varieties. They are available in multiple sizes and can be customized to fit specific cable requirements. Some models also include features for establishing electrical connections to cable armor or braid, and may be used for sealing cables passing through gland plates or bulkheads.
Benefits of Brass Cable Glands
- Durability: Brass cable glands are long-lasting and resistant to oxidation, corrosion, and mechanical wear, making them ideal for industrial and outdoor use.
- High Conductivity: Brass ensures minimal electrical resistance, supporting efficient current flow.
- Strain Relief: These glands provide strong strain relief, protecting cables from mechanical stress and reducing the risk of disconnection or damage.
- Environmental Protection: They offer a tight seal against dust, water, and other contaminants, maintaining the integrity of electrical systems even in challenging conditions.
- Temperature and Corrosion Resistance: Brass cable glands withstand high temperatures and resist corrosion, making them suitable for use in extreme environments.
- Customizability: They can be produced in various sizes and configurations to match specific cable types and installation needs.
- Cost-Effective: Brass is a cost-efficient material that balances performance with affordability.
Why Use Brass Cable Glands?
Brass cable glands are preferred over alternatives like stainless steel, plastic, or nylon for several reasons:
- They can be tailored to fit unique cable shapes and sizes.
- They provide reliable seals against water and dust, ensuring cables remain secure.
- Brass glands maintain their structure under high temperatures and heavy loads.
- They offer superior corrosion resistance, especially when nickel-plated, extending the life of both the cable and the gland.
In summary, brass cable glands are essential components in electrical installations, valued for their strength, reliability, and ability to protect cables in a wide range of environments.
Chapter 2: Introduction to the main components of Brass Cable Gland
Brass cable glands are made up of several key parts, each playing a specific role in securing and sealing cables in electrical installations.
Brass Cable Gland Lock Nut
This is a small, hexagonal nut used to fix the cable gland securely to a gland plate or equipment. It ensures the gland stays in place and is commonly used across industries that require secure cable connections, such as automation and electrical instrumentation.
Gland Washer
A washer is a thin, disk-shaped piece—often with a central hole—that helps distribute the load of the nut and provides spacing. It also reduces vibration, prevents corrosion, and minimizes wear at the connection point.
Brass Cable Gland Body
The main housing or body of the gland is made from brass. This central part holds all other components together and provides the structure for the gland assembly.
Gland Seal
Usually made of rubber, the seal sits inside the gland body. Its main function is to create a tight barrier, protecting the cable entry point from dust, moisture, and other environmental hazards.
Brass Cable Gland Claw
The claw is designed to grip the cable firmly, often containing a rubber ring for extra hold. It helps secure the cable as it enters the enclosure, ensuring stability and protection during installation.
Thread-lock Sealing Nut
This nut provides a secure, spanner-tight seal. Its multiple thread design allows for quick and reliable assembly, and it often includes a neoprene seal for watertight protection, rated up to IP68.
Together, these components ensure that brass cable glands deliver reliable mechanical retention, environmental sealing, and electrical continuity for cables in a wide range of applications.
Chapter 3: Types of Brass Cable Gland
Brass cable gland come in a wide variety of types, each designed for specific cable constructions and installation environments.
Below are the main types and their typical uses:
A1/A2 Brass Cable Gland
- Used with unarmoured cables.
- Provide a weatherproof seal by gripping the cable sheath.
- Suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, often rated up to IP68 for water and dust protection.
BW Brass Cable Gland
- Designed for steel wire armoured (SWA) cables in dry, indoor environments.
- Clamp the cable armour but do not provide a full environmental seal.
CW Brass Cable Gland
- Used with SWA cables, suitable for outdoor or dusty environments.
- Provide a seal on the cable’s outer sheath and clamp the armour.
- Offer weatherproof and waterproof protection, often up to IP66.
E1W Brass Cable Gland
- Provide sealing on both the inner and outer sheaths of armoured cables.
- Offer enhanced protection for exposed or harsh environments.
Double Compression Brass Cable Gland
- Feature dual sealing points for both the armour and the inner sheath.
- Used with large or heavy-duty armoured cables in hazardous or high-vibration areas.
- Offer extra mechanical retention and prevent gas migration.
Breathable Brass Cable Gland
- Allow air exchange while maintaining a seal, preventing condensation inside enclosures.
- Compatible with various cap nuts and sealing inserts.
EMC Brass Cable Gland
- Provide electromagnetic compatibility by grounding the cable braid or armour.
- Essential in data and telecommunications to shield against electromagnetic interference.
Marine Brass Cable Gland
- Designed for ship decks and marine environments.
- Often finished with chrome, tin, or nickel for enhanced corrosion resistance.
Standard Brass Cable Glands
- Used in general industrial applications, including machinery, measuring, and medical equipment.
- May include plastic inserts for added protection against distortion.
Double Seal Brass Cable Glands
- Offer two layers of sealing for high safety and stress resistance.
- Suitable for extreme temperatures, sometimes up to 300°C.
SWA Brass Cable Glands
- Specifically for steel wire armoured cables.
- Feature simple construction for easy installation.
A2 Brass Cable Glands
- Used with unarmoured cables.
- Provide a weatherproof seal and are often rated IP68.
CX and CXT Brass Cable Glands
- CX types are for braided cables, ensuring electrical continuity for the wire braid.
- CXT types are for wire braid armoured and screened flexible wire braid cables, offering both cable retention and electrical continuity.
Summary Table
| Type |
Typical Use |
Key Features |
| A1/A2 |
Unarmoured cables, indoor/outdoor |
Weatherproof, IP68 seal |
| BW |
SWA cables, indoor |
Armour clamp, no full seal |
| CW |
SWA cables, outdoor/dusty |
Armour clamp, outer seal, IP66 |
| E1W |
Armoured cables, harsh/exposed environments |
Dual sheath sealing |
| Double Compression |
Large/heavy-duty armoured cables |
Dual sealing, high retention |
| Breathable |
Prevents condensation in enclosures |
Air exchange, maintains seal |
| EMC |
Data/telecom, EMI protection |
Grounds braid/armour |
| Marine |
Ship decks, marine environments |
Corrosion-resistant finish |
| Standard |
General industry, machinery |
May include plastic inserts |
| Double Seal |
Extreme temperatures, high safety |
Two sealing layers |
| SWA |
SWA cables |
Simple, easy installation |
| A2 |
Unarmoured cables |
Weatherproof, IP68 |
| CX/CXT |
Braided/armoured cables |
Electrical continuity, retention |
Brass cable glands are selected based on cable type, installation environment, and required protection level, ensuring safe and reliable cable connections across diverse industries.
