Rittal - Cable glands increase safety even in extreme conditions 

The importance of cable glands is often underestimated. Wrongly so, because in many industries they contribute substantially to the proper functioning of operating equipment. The right cable gland protects each enclosure from quite threatening external influences such as dust and moisture. In extreme conditions such as arctic cold or tropical heat, it is the "heavy duty" cable glands made of nickel-plated brass or stainless steel that make the difference. Even bases, acids and chemicals hold them back. 

Glands provide safe passage of cables through panels to and from devices. They can insulate cabinets, provide grounding and strain relief, and protect against electromagnetic interference. There are also glands made specifically to withstand severe explosions or to provide sealing under water.

Nickel-plated brass for the toughest conditions 

Cable grommets come in all shapes and sizes. They are made of plastic, stainless steel, copper and aluminum, among others. The best type depends on the environment in which they are used. In any case, glands made of nickel-plated brass with silicone seal are suitable for the harshest conditions. Think of use on installations that are outside in the icy cold, or just inside, in the heat of a bakery or iron smelter. 

There are also nickel-plated brass cable glands that are specifically intended for environments where contact with acids and bases may occur. These glands are particularly widely used in the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries. 

Like stainless steel, nickel-plated brass is corrosion resistant; however, the cost is much lower. Because the material is particularly hard and strong, the glands last a long time and require little maintenance.

Hummel VariaPro 'heavy duty' glands Temp and FKM 

With the VariaPro family, Hummel brings to the market a comprehensive series of glands for heavy duty applications. The VarioPro FKM is the latest member and belongs to the category that is hardened against acids, bases and chemicals. The seal is made of FKM. That is a fluorocarbon-based synthetic rubber, which is known for its broad chemical resistance. This gland is therefore very suitable for the chemical industry. 

The VariaPro Temp is specifically designed for use at extreme temperatures. These glands have a range of minus 60 to plus 200 degrees Celsius. So they are just as usable in freezing cold as in scorching hot greenhouses. The inside is sealed with silicone. Incidentally, even the FKM does not shy away from cold or heat with a range that is between -20 and 180 degrees Celsius. 

Both types also feature EMC attenuation, which means they protect cables from electromagnetic influences from nearby devices. They are also protected against twisting during cable assembly. They have all relevant approvals for international markets and numerous industries. 

The VarioPro series can withstand pressures up to 10 bar and comes under protection class IP 68. They are available in all common metric sizes. In combination with special inserts, they thus cover a wide range of cable diameters. The shape makes these glands particularly suitable for installation in places where space is limited.

Wide range of glands for demanding markets 

So the VariaPro glands are specifically for demanding markets. The Pro Temp is especially suitable for application in cold environments such as cold rooms and refrigeration plants but can also be used in hot conditions, especially in industry. The FKM is highly resistant to acids and chemicals used, for example, in the process industry. The series also includes extra fire-resistant glands (for the rail industry) as well as glands that meet the high hygiene standards that apply in the food sector. Finally, there are armored cable glands for explosive environments such as power plants, chemical industry or paint shops.

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