Traditional dome top cable glands are ideal for creating simple and secure entry points for bulkheads and enclosures. However, when access to the interior of the enclosure is restricted or space is tight, installation time can be greatly increased and it may even be necessary to adopt specialist tooling – or, if the panel is large, two installers may be required to assemble the glands into position.

Here, Michael Crowther, Product Development Director at Hylec-APL, outlines the advantages of its Kwik-Fix cable glands for electrical installers in these scenarios.

Control cabinets, plant switchgear and building services, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, all require access for cabling. Electrical installers or building services engineers will usually be tasked with commissioning, installing and securing such access – ideally as quickly and cost effectively as possible. But there are plenty of situations where access to the inside of such enclosures is restricted, and space is often at a premium – making traditional solutions awkward to install – while the harsh environment they are usually situated in demands that such access must be weatherproof and not allow ingress of water, dust or dirt.

While traditional cable glands are ideal solutions for many electrical installations, each application has its own unique considerations – particularly where space is tight, or access is difficult. Rapid assembly cable glands offer a potential alternative to traditional dome top glands, which use a rear mounting lock nut to secure the cable gland in such scenarios. But plant and mechanical engineers often don’t put much faith in rapid assembly cable glands – and their reluctance is hardly surprising, as rapid assembly products typically require a special tool for assembly, are often unwieldy to install and form an unreliable seal.

Hylec-APL’s Kwik Fix cable glands represent a real advancement of rapid assembly cable gland design – and don’t require a special assembly tool either.

Kwik-Fix cable glands

Designed for use in applications where access to the interior of a bulkhead or enclosure is restricted, the patented Kwik Fix cable gland is installed from just one side of a panel, without any special tools, doesn’t require a rear mounted locknut and can still achieve IP68 sealing of a cable transit. The Kwik Fix can also reduce installation time, which will increase productivity and profitability, and is especially suitable for use with large switch cabinets, as well as cooling and heating systems.

The Kwik Fix cable gland is installed by placing the mounting foot of the gland through the entry hole. The mounting foot is designed with a lip that can be pulled tight against the inner wall; an external hexagonal locking nut is then turned anti-clockwise to hold the gland in place and form an IP68 seal. Once locked in place you can install the corresponding cable in the traditional manner, tightening the top dome nut in a clockwise direction.

This means that the gland can be easily mounted and dismounted from one side, making installation and maintenance far simpler. In addition, the gland takes up less internal space, leaving more space for internal wiring within the enclosure. The gland can be fitted onto entries where the wall thickness is between 1mm and 4mm and the waterproof solutions can operate safely in temperatures between -20°C and 100°C. It carries UL and VDE approval, boasts integrated strain relief and is available in all standard hole sizes, M16, M20, M25 and M32 (suitable for cable sizes from 5–17mm), in RAL 7001 (Silver Grey), RAL 7035 (Light Grey) and RAL 9005 (Jet Black).

Kwik Fix cable glands also offer advantages when connecting electric vehicle (EV) charging point enclosures. Where the incoming cable comes from behind the enclosure, through a wall, the Kwik-Fix gland can be fixed on the inside of the enclosure without the installer having to get behind the enclosure wall to tighten up a lock nut. This method can quickly and easily provide an IP68-rated connection to an EV charging point.

Summary

Previously, when faced with restricted interior or rear access, installers have been forced to use products that do not guarantee the seal. Also, they often required spanners or special tools. Kwik Fix cable glands are easily installed and removed from one side only, making installation and maintenance much simpler and reducing costs. Moreover, these glands take up less space, meaning a smaller enclosure could be used or leaving more room for wiring.

Figure 1. How the Kwik-Fix cable gland works

Kwik-Fix cable glands are the answer in a tight spot!
For a free sample of the Kwik-fix cable gland, email hylecuser@hylec-apl.com with “Free Kwik-Fix sample” as the subject and don’t forget to type the address you want the sample sent to.

For more information, click here or call 01933 234400.