Ins and Outs of Waterproof Cable Glands

From windblown dust and debris to rain, sleet and snow, Polycase’s NEMA 4X enclosures are designed to withstand a variety of harsh environments. What some people don’t know is that waterproof enclosures lose their NEMA rating when cutouts are made on their box.

How do you solve this problem? Don’t worry — Polycase has a solution.

Waterproof cable glands are a special type of cable connectors that can be used to accommodate cutouts while maintaining your waterproof enclosure’s NEMA 4X or IP rating. Below, we’ll explain the ins and outs of waterproof cable glands:

What Is a Waterproof Cable Gland?

A waterproof cable gland (also known as a cord grip) is a device used to aid in the connection of cables or wires within an electrical or electronic enclosure. The cable gland helps to maintain the watertight seal where the cable or wire enters the enclosure. Consisting of a body and a nut, the glands could either contain a separate gasket and cable seal or these components could be integrated into the body of the gland. Polycase offers both varieties. The cable gland is then assembled within a circular cutout in the enclosure, capturing the wall of the enclosure between the body and nut creating that watertight seal.

Waterproof cable glands come in a range of sizes, materials and types. Here is a quick look at the features, materials and applications of waterproof cable glands you’ll find on the market today:

Features — Certain waterproof cable glands are designed for harsh environments and can be explosion-proof, flame-retardant or offer EMI/RFI shielding and/or UV stabilization. Many also include built-in strain relief features to alleviate mechanical stress on the body of a cable and protect its conductors from damage.

Materials — Waterproof cable glands typically come in brass, plastic, nylon, aluminum and stainless steel. The material you choose will depend on the specific application.

Applications — Waterproof cable glands are needed across a variety of industries because custom cutouts of enclosures are often required to accommodate cables. Today, you can find waterproof cable glands in junction boxes, control boxes, circuit breakers and almost any kind of enclosure. They’re widely used in manufacturing plants, wastewater treatment facilities, marine equipment (ships and offshore drilling) and much more.

How They Work

Waterproof cable glands are an ideal accessory when you need to create a cable entry or exit in your waterproof enclosure without putting your electronics at risk of water and dust intrusion. Here’s how they work:

A hole will need to be added to the enclosure. Polycase can help you by adding the cutout via our value-added CNC machining services. You will then assemble the gland together, capturing the enclosure wall between the components. The nut and gasket go on the interior of the case and the body goes on the exterior. You thread your cable through and screw the nut and body together creating a watertight seal on the cable.

That’s it! At Polycase, we can keep your connection watertight with our 13 different sizes of NEMA rated waterproof cable glands.

Choosing a Waterproof Cable Gland

If you’re making cutouts in your NEMA 4X-rated enclosure, a waterproof cable gland is a must-have accessory. But how do you choose the correct size and material for your application?

The following are just a few things you should take into consideration when selecting a waterproof cable gland:

Adhere to Strict Specifications — Just like your outdoor weatherproof enclosure should adhere to strict NEMA/IP ratings, so too should your waterproof cable glands. Polycase’s CG-11 through CG-17 waterproof cable glands are NEMA 4X-rated with a PG mounting thread, while our gray CG-30 through CG-35 are NEMA 6P-rated with a metric mounting thread.

Suggested Service Temperature — Check the maximum operating temperature for your waterproof cable gland. Exceeding temperatures outside their suggested service temperature can damage the seal and put your electronics at risk.

Cable Range Diameter — Our CG Series of waterproof cable glands can accommodate cable diameters up to 1.26”. However, it should be noted that the thickness of an enclosure wall or bulkhead can vary. If you have questions or need additional measurements such as AWG gauges, get in touch with us and we’ll help you find the ideal solution!

UL Flame Rating — Certain standards of fire safety must be met to keep your electronics safe and protected. If your enclosure demands a high flame rating, rest assured that all of Polycase’s products — including our cable glands — meet UL 94 test certifications to protect your equipment.

Simple Mounting — We include lock nuts with our CG Series nylon cable glands to remove the need for an O-ring and allow for easy mounting in a wide variety of enclosures.

Finding a Sensible Solution

When it comes to choosing waterproof cable glands for your waterproof enclosure, the right choice can make all the difference. The ideal solution can protect your IP and NEMA ratings and keep your electrical equipment operating in peak condition for years to come. Shop our full selection of cable glands and seals now to learn about all of the options that Polycase offers for cable management and protection!