A cable gland (also called a cable connector or fitting) secures a cable where it enters an enclosure, providing strain relief, sealing, and, in many cases, environmental or hazardous-area protection. Choosing the wrong type means failed seals, safety issues, or a part that simply doesn't fit. Here's how to pick correctly.

The main cable gland types

  • A2 / A2F: for unarmoured cable, indoor/general industrial use. Simple compression seal.
  • CW: for armoured cable (SWA); provides mechanical clamping of the armour plus environmental sealing. One of the most common industrial glands.
  • E1W / E1FW: weatherproof glands for armoured cable, with an outer seal for outdoor/harsh conditions.
  • BW: indoor armoured-cable gland providing armour clamping and earth continuity.
  • Marine glands: corrosion-resistant designs for shipboard and offshore use.
  • Ex / hazardous-area glands: certified for explosive atmospheres (oil & gas, mining), with flameproof or increased-safety ratings.

How to choose the right gland

Work through these questions in order:

  1. Armoured or unarmoured cable? This is the first fork, and it determines the whole gland family (A2 vs CW/BW/E1W).
  2. Indoor or outdoor / wet? Outdoor and washdown environments need a weatherproof gland with the right IP rating.
  3. Hazardous area? If there's any explosive-atmosphere risk, you need a certified Ex gland, with no exceptions.
  4. Cable diameter? Match the gland size to the cable's outer and inner (bedding) diameters.
  5. Material & thread? Brass, nickel-plated brass or stainless, with the correct entry thread (metric, NPT, PG).
Get the cable type and the environment right first. Everything else follows from those two answers.

Don't forget the accessories

A complete, sealed installation usually needs more than the gland itself: locknuts, sealing washers, entry-thread reducers/adaptors, shrouds, and earth tags. Ordering these together avoids the classic "the gland arrived but we're missing the washer" delay.

Cable glands from Jay Ashapura

The full range is produced to drawing: A-type, CW, E1W, marine and flange cable glands plus the accessories, in brass, nickel-plated brass and stainless steel. Send your cable specification and the environment it lives in, and we will confirm the gland type, size and thread before quoting.

Need a specific cable gland?

Tell us the cable, the environment and the thread, and we will specify and quote the right gland.

Request a Quote