C2KGP | Industrial Cable Gland For all types of Armoured Cables

BS 6121-1:1989 vs IEC 62444 / EN 62444

Whilst new standards such as IEC 62444 and EN 62444 have more recently been introduced, which CMP Products fully complies with, BS 6121-1:1989 still remains a very important benchmark for users and manufacturers around the world, due mainly to the fact that it is a more onerous construction standard than others published. This will therefore be especially relevant where a national cable gland standard isn’t available. The tables below show the maximum cable entry bore size and tolerances permitted through the range of BS 6121-1:1989 cable gland sizes.

Protection by Enclosure Against Mechanical Impact

It is critically important that enclosures afford a level of mechanical protection relevant to the area of installation that provides optimum electrical and operational safety. The international standard IEC 62262 covering ‘Degrees of protection provided by enclosures for electrical equipment against external mechanical impacts (IK Code)’ outlines the requirements for testing and rating of enclosures of different materials, so that careful selection to suit the application can be achieved.

CMP Ingress Protection Testing

Some CMP cable gland types have been tested to IP66, whilst other types have been tested to IP66, IP67 & IP68, to an equivalent depth of up to 60 metres for a duration of two weeks. For manufacturers to claim an IP68 protection level it is important that they include both the depth of water and time duration of the test conducted; otherwise the rating would be incomplete and meaningless.

DIN 40050 Definitions

The following page provides an explanation of ingress protection codes according to DIN 40050-9 (liquids) and IEC 60529 (dusts).

IEC 60529 Definitions

The following page provides an explanation of ingress protection codes according to IEC 60529.

NEMA 250 & IEC 60529

The table included on this page is provided for comparison purposes between typical NEMA 250 and IEC 60529 ratings.

Summary of the Basic Requirements of IEC 62444 & EN 62444

The following extracts outline the basic requirements and compliance testing of cable glands to IEC 62444 / EN 62444. A) Material - Metallic, Non-metallic or Composite B) Mechanical Properties - i. Cable Retention & Anchorage Type A or B - for cables without armour

Cable Gland Sizing – Cable Construction & Armour Wires

Cable glands conforming to British Standard BS 6121:1973 were specifically to cater for industry standard armour wire sizes and cable diameters found in British and international standard cables. These armour wire sizes have remained common to virtually all cables manufactured to BS, IEC and AS/NZS standards, and can be accommodated by some industrial cable glands to BS 6121 & IEC 62444 and explosive atmosphere certified cable glands to IEC 60079. There is an expectation that within a given armoured cable, all of the armour wires have the same consistent thickness so that cable glands utilising a cone and clamping ring can be correctly terminated and maintain their safety critical functional performance. If the armour wires in an armoured cable have significant differences in their thicknesses then it may be no surprise if consequent issues arise with their termination when using standard products. The correlation between the cable inner bedding diameter and the cable armour wire is clearly defined in IEC 60502-1 and AS/NZS 5000.1.

Non-Standard Armour Wire Sizing

Due to the global nature of cable manufacturing, and variations from one supply country to another CMP also provides alternative cable glands to suit cable armour wires which are outside of the standard range. This predominantly affects Single Wire Armour (SWA) cables and the data provided below is geared towards that type of cable. Most variations in braid thickness can be accommodated with standard product.

Cable Gland Sizing

EMC – Electromagnetic Compatibility

Selecting the correct cable gland and accessories

The following steps, together with the information throughout this knowledge base, will ensure that the CMP cable gland selected is fit for purpose and performs to relevant specifications. 1. Identify the type of cable to be used 2. Check the construction, size and material properties of the cable

Earthing, wiring regulations & EMC

It is important to realise that regulations may differ from region to region, or country to country and there is a need to comply with local regulations and requirements. There are several different standards that may need to be followed, and in the UK BS 7671:2008 + A3:2015 the IET Wiring Regulations 17th Edition, and BS 7430:2011 + A3:2015, the code of practice for earthing, are the applicable prevailing industry standards Depending on the situation it may also be necessary to follow the IEC standards, e.g. IEC 60364 - Electrical Installation in Buildings. Outside of the IEC, both the standards and the terminology may differ considerably. In North America, for example ’earthing’ would normally be referred to as ’grounding’.

Safety Standards

It is important that workers are able to operate and act in a safe manner, free from harm, and without risk to or from the environment in which they work, or the tools and machinery that they may operate. In the United Kingdom, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 lays down the general duties of employers, ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’ to protect the health, safety and welfare at work of employees.

RoHS, WEEE & REACH

The original RoHS directive of 2002 became effective on July 1st 2006 and as amended by commission decision 2005/618/EC this limits the use in ‘electrical and electronic equipment’ of the six substances listed in table below. A new Directive 2011/65/EU has subsequently been introduced, which came into force on 21 July 2011, and following a period of transition the original RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC was officially repealed on 03 January 2013, with Directive 2011/65/EU replacing it. This Directive is applicable to all new products placed on the European Union market, whether imported or manufactured in the EU.

Electrical Safety in the Work Place

Local codes of practice or regulations may be in force to ensure that safety is maintained to eliminate the possibility of accidents arising from the danger of electricity. These dangers would include electric shock, burns, fire, explosion and arcing. In the United Kingdom the ESQCR 2002, and amendments 2006 (S.I. No. 1521) and 2009 (S.I. No. 639), introduced under Statutory Instrument No. 2665, and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAW Regulations), which came into force on 1 April 1990, comprehensively deal with this subject.