In industrial and electrical installations, cable glands play a critical role in protecting equipment, maintaining electrical safety, and securing cables in challenging environments. From control panels to offshore oil rigs, a well-chosen and properly tested cable gland ensures system reliability and protects both people and equipment.
Testing is not just a regulatory formality it’s an assurance of performance, durability, and compliance. At Exgrip, we ensure that every product meets rigorous standards, whether it’s a brass cable gland, an ATEX cable gland, or a double compression cable gland.
Why Cable Gland Testing Is Essential
Cable glands are constantly exposed to mechanical stress, environmental factors, and electrical loads. Failure in any of these areas can result in:
Equipment downtime
Electrical short circuits
Safety hazards in hazardous areas
Reduced lifespan of armoured or unarmoured cables
Testing addresses these risks and ensures that every cable gland type delivers reliable performance under real-world conditions.
Key reasons for testing include:
Ensuring mechanical retention of cables
Verifying sealing efficiency against water, dust, and chemical ingress
Maintaining electrical continuity in metallic glands
Complying with international standards like IEC, UL, ATEX, and IECEx
Cable Gland Types and Their Testing Requirements
Each type of cable gland requires tailored testing to verify its performance in the intended application.
Brass Cable Glands
Brass is a standard material for industrial cable glands due to its corrosion resistance and mechanical strength. Brass cable glands undergo torque, pull-out, and electrical continuity testing, especially when used with armoured cables that require reliable grounding and bonding.
Double Compression Cable Glands
Designed for heavy-duty applications, double compression cable glands secure both the inner and outer layers of armoured cables. They are tested for dual sealing performance and mechanical retention under stress, vibration, and temperature variations.
ATEX Cable Glands
ATEX cable glands are critical for hazardous zones, such as chemical plants, refineries, and mining sites. They undergo flameproof, explosion-proof, and pressure tests to meet ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and IECEx standards. Proper testing ensures safe operation in explosive environments.
Unarmoured Cable Glands
For unarmoured cables, glands focus primarily on sealing and strain relief. Testing ensures that they maintain a secure fit and prevent water or dust ingress in less demanding industrial environments.
Key Cable Gland Tests
Ingress Protection (IP) Testing
IP testing evaluates the gland’s resistance to dust, water, and other contaminants. Brass cable glands and double compression glands are commonly rated IP66–IP68, ensuring they can withstand harsh environmental conditions, including rain, submersion, and dust storms.
Pull-Out and Torque Testing
Pull-out tests measure how much force a gland can resist before the cable slips, while torque testing ensures secure clamping. This is particularly important for armoured cables, which must maintain mechanical integrity in vibration-prone areas.
Electrical Continuity Testing
Metallic glands, like brass cable glands, must ensure proper grounding between the cable armour and the enclosure. Electrical continuity testing confirms that the protective path is reliable.
Thermal and Environmental Testing
Glands are subjected to extreme temperatures, humidity, and UV exposure to verify their performance under real-world conditions. This ensures durability for both indoor and outdoor installations.
Explosion and Flameproof Testing (ATEX Glands)
ATEX cable glands undergo rigorous testing to prevent flame propagation. This includes high-pressure, flame, and impact tests, ensuring safe operation in explosive atmospheres.
Corrosion and Chemical Resistance Testing
Glands must withstand chemical exposure, salt spray, and other environmental factors without degradation. This is particularly relevant for marine installations or chemical plants.
Testing Standards and Certifications
To maintain high quality and ensure global compliance, cable glands are tested according to internationally recognized standards:
IEC 62444 – Performance requirements for cable glands
BS 6121 – Mechanical and electrical testing protocols
UL 514B – Safety standard for North American markets
ATEX / IECEx – Certification for hazardous areas
Each cable gland type, whether brass, double compression, or ATEX, undergoes testing to verify adherence to these standards.
How Exgrip Ensures Quality
At Exgrip, testing is integrated into every stage of production. Our process includes:
Visual Inspection: Ensures surface integrity and proper manufacturing finish
Mechanical Testing: Checks torque, pull-out strength, and seal compression
Electrical Testing: Validates grounding and continuity for metallic glands
Environmental Simulation: Exposes glands to temperature, humidity, and UV cycles
Certification Verification: Confirms compliance with ATEX, IECEx, IP ratings, and other international standards
This rigorous process guarantees that every gland, from armoured to unarmoured cables, meets the highest quality benchmarks.
Applications of Cable Glands Across Industries
Tested cable glands are essential in a variety of sectors:
Oil & Gas: Offshore platforms, pipelines, and refineries using ATEX cable glands
Chemical & Pharmaceutical: Equipment that requires safe and reliable connections
Mining: Underground installations with armoured cables needing mechanical security
Renewable Energy: Solar farms and wind turbines requiring durable double compression glands
Marine & Offshore: IP68-rated glands for wet or corrosive environments
Industrial Automation: Machinery and control panels requiring consistent performance
Using properly tested cable glands ensures operational continuity, compliance, and safety.
Conclusion
Testing is the foundation of cable gland performance. From brass cable glands to double compression and ATEX-certified models, rigorous testing ensures long-term safety, durability, and compliance.
At Exgrip, quality is engineered into every product. By choosing our tested cable glands, industries can trust that their electrical systems are safe, reliable, and ready for the toughest conditions.
Ensure your connections are tested, certified, and built to last choose Exgrip cable glands.
Talk to our technical team today at Exgrip.com
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Phone: +91 9537118899
Website: www.exgrip.com
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FAQs for Cable Gland Testing
What is cable gland testing and why is it important?
Cable gland testing ensures that glands perform reliably under mechanical, electrical, and environmental stress. It verifies sealing, strain relief, electrical continuity, and compliance with international standards, protecting both equipment and personnel.
What are the main types of cable glands?
Common cable gland types include brass cable glands, double compression cable glands, ATEX cable glands, and glands for armoured and unarmoured cables. Each type undergoes specific tests to guarantee performance in its application.
How are ATEX cable glands tested?
ATEX cable glands are tested for flameproof and explosion containment, sealing, and mechanical strength to meet ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU and IECEx standards. This ensures safe operation in hazardous environments.
What is the difference between testing brass and double compression cable glands?
Brass cable glands focus on electrical continuity and corrosion resistance, while double compression cable glands require dual sealing and mechanical retention testing for both inner and outer cable layers, especially for armoured cables.
Why is ingress protection (IP) testing important for cable glands?
IP testing verifies that a cable gland prevents water, dust, and contaminant ingress. Ratings like IP66, IP67, and IP68 ensure long-term durability in outdoor, marine, or industrial environments.
Can cable glands be used with both armoured and unarmoured cables?
Yes. Different glands are designed for each type. Armoured cable glands provide mechanical and electrical protection, while glands for unarmoured cables focus on sealing and strain relief. Testing ensures both types meet required performance standards.
How does Exgrip ensure the quality of its cable glands?
Exgrip performs rigorous testing including mechanical, electrical, environmental, and certification verification. Each gland from brass to ATEX and double compression types is inspected and tested to meet international standards and ensure safety and reliability.
