ALCO Cable Gland Tutorial

Selection and fitment of Hazardous Area

SWA Cable Glands

Phone: 1300 300 747

Steel Wire Armoured CableConsider the construction of SWA cables, starting at the outside diameter (OD)

• There is a PVC or XLPE sheath that covers the entire cable that is required to have an

environmental seal.

• Underneath that covering are protective steel wires that are wrapped around the rest

of the cable build to provide flexible/mechanical protection as well as a current path

to earth for fault protection via the SWA ‘grounding cones’. to earth for fault protection via the SWA ‘grounding cones’.

• Underneath the steel wires, there is another protective sheath that also requires an

environmental seal. Under this sheath sometimes finds additional brass tapes or a

nylon jacket.

• The balance of the cable build is made up of the insulated conductors which are

electrical terminated to carry the required load.

• In Hazardous area fitment, the requirement of the gland is not only to provide

tortuous path, earth bonding of the SWA and environmental sealing, But to also

consider seal dimension and characteristics as well as special thread dimensions to

provide managed expansion of air pressure or gas pressure from one environment to

another.

Gland Selection

• It is imperative that the correct cable gland to

suit the fitting environment is selected.

• Hazardous Areas must have compliant

Hazardous Area GlandsHazardous Area Glands

• See the following page or refer to page 2 of

the Alco catalogue for classifications.

This information is also available online at

www.wattmaster.com.au

Hazardous Area Gland Classification

HAW and HAW-B

• HAW – Hazardous Armoured gland

Termination: HAW Gland Assembly

• HAW-B – Hazardous Armoured – Barrier gland• HAW-B – Hazardous Armoured – Barrier gland

Termination HAW-B Gland Assembly

In most cases references to ‘explosion proof’ will

pertain to barrier glands.

Critical Dimensions for Gland selection

• Overall Diameter (OD)

This is the outside or overall diameter of the cable, where the OD seal will fit.

• SWA Diameter

This is the individual diameter of the protective steel wires in the armour.wires in the armour.

• Over Bedding Diameter (OB)

This is the diameter of the insulation, underneath the SWA.

• Under Bedding Diameter

This is the diameter underneath the bedding but over the sheath covering the multicores, where the OB seal will fit.

Critical Dimensions for Gland selection

• It is necessary that each cable is check measured

prior to fitment of glands due to manufacturing

inconsistencies in the dimensions of cable. It is

quite common for cables to be +/- 1 or 2mm quite common for cables to be +/- 1 or 2mm

different than catalogued sizes.

• Dimensions from the beginning, middle and end

of a drum can vary as can the diameter from one

batch over many cable drums.

Critical Dimensions for Termination

In each case, HAW or HAW-B, there are

dimensions quoted in the relative gland tables

for exposed lengths of SWA and bedding.

Arbitrary or random SWA lengths cause a lot of Arbitrary or random SWA lengths cause a lot of

trouble at termination, so adherence to the

quoted dimensions is critical.

i.e. If SWA is left too long then there will be

issues trying to fit the sleeve, affecting the

seal on the bedding and OD.

HAW GLANDS

Typically this style of gland not only offers IP68

weather protection but also offers tortuous

path or mechanical securing and earth

bonding of the Steel Wire Armour.bonding of the Steel Wire Armour.

In addition to the primary function of this gland

is the suitability to Hazardous area fitment.

Flame path threads and seals are different to the

normally used AW gands.

HAW Gland Table

HAW – Hazardous SWA

• Establish the suitable HAW Gland for the

termination application.

• In the sealed packet there will be 1 seal to suit

the OD of the cable.the OD of the cable.

• Also there will be two seals, ‘A’ and ‘B’ to suit

a flexible range of OB dimensions for that

gland. Establish the correct seal to use and

discard the other. Also discard the brass cone

insert as it is not used in this application.

HAW Assembly

HAW Gland Assembly1. Pass the Gland nut and ‘OD’ seal over the end of the cable to be

terminated.

2. Determine the length of the tail, removing the sheath with a cable knife or

Jokari stripper

3. Remove the SWA leaving the required exposed length determined from

the gland instruction sheet (Dimension ‘E’).

4. Pass the sleeve and clamping ring over the SWA and then slide the cone 4. Pass the sleeve and clamping ring over the SWA and then slide the cone

over the bedding and under the SWA. You may need to pre-bend the SWA

to do this with smaller size cables.

5. Screw the body of the gland into the enclosure by screwing into the

tapped thread for fitment. Ensure the fibre washer provided is used to

retain the IP68 and EX rating. Slide the appropriate inner seal over the

bedding and ensure it is butted up to the cone.

6. Slide the cable through the fitted gland body, ensuring that the SWA butts

up against the cone face.

7. Maintaining pressure, so that the inner seal, cone and armour remain in

place, slide the clamping ring, and sleeve against the SWA and tighten.

8. Slide the OD seal into the fitted gland assembly. Apply a small amount of

cable pulling lubricant onto the exposed surface of the OD seal to allow

for easy assembly when the gland nut is now pushed up to meet the

threads of the gland assembly.

9. Tighten the gland nut as per specifications supplied.9. Tighten the gland nut as per specifications supplied.

These instructions are also printed in the Alco Gland Catalogue and are

also available on the website;

www.wattmaster.com.au

HAW – To ‘B’ or not to ‘B’

Barrier glands are typically used in applications where

standard glands featuring elastomeric seals are

insufficient. Barrier glands are similar to standard

hazardous area cable glands, except an epoxy

compound sealant (insulputty) is required to be compound sealant (insulputty) is required to be

used to seal around the individual cores and the

gland. This is done to ensure the inside and outside

of the cable remain liquid tight.

Furthermore, the following questions need to be

answered to establish whether a barrier gland is

required…….

Is the cable round, compact and effectively filled?

• Yes-> move to next question

• No-> barrier gland is required

Does the enclosure have an internal source of ignition?

• Yes-> move to next question

• No-> standard gland may be used

Does the hazardous gas require IIC apparatus?

• Yes-> barrier gland should be used

• No-> standard to next question

Is the installation area zone 1?

• Yes-> move to next question

• No-> standard gland may be used

Is the volume of the enclosure greater than 2 litres?

• Yes-> barrier gland should be used

• No-> standard gland may be used

HAW-B GLANDS

In addition the primary function of this gland

and its suitability to Hazardous area fitment,

application of epoxy putty can be applied

between the cores of a multicore cable

to ensure the integrity of the flame path.

This is important where in cable construction,

the inner cores do not allow for symmetrical

or regular diameters for ordinary seals to fit

well.

HAW-B Gland Table

HAW –B Hazardous SWA BARRIER

• Establish the suitable HAW-B Gland for the

termination application.

• In the sealed packet there will be 1 seal to suit

the OD of the cable.the OD of the cable.

• Pay particular attention to the dimension

‘Under bedding’, that is over the multicores.

• Discard the ‘OB’ seals as the brass ‘cone’ insert

is used in this application.

HAW–B ASSEMBLY

HAW-B Gland Assembly1. Pass the Gland nut and ‘OD’ seal over the end of the cable to be

terminated.

2. Determine the length of the tail, removing the sheath with a cable knife

or Jokari stripper

3. Remove the SWA leaving the required exposed length Dimension ‘E’

determined from the gland instruction sheet.

4. Trim the bedding so that the exposed length beyond the SWA equal to 4. Trim the bedding so that the exposed length beyond the SWA equal to

dimension ‘G’ determined from the gland instruction sheet.

5. Spread the exposed cores of the cable and remove any fillers or tapes

without damaging the insulation on the conductors.

6. Pass the sleeve and clamping ring over the SWA and then slide the cone

over the bedding and under the SWA. You may need to pre-bend the

SWA to do this with smaller size cables.

7. Screw the body of the gland into the enclosure by screwing into the

tapped thread for fitment or by use of a locknut. Ensure the fibre washer

provided is used to retain the IP68 and EX rating.

8. The epoxy filling compound is a two part product that must be thoroughly

mixed so that it has an even colour. Where larger glands are supplied with

multiple packets of compound, mix each pack separately and then apply

collectively whilst all fill is pliable in one application. The compound has a

working life of around 40 minutes at ambient temperatures of 25 degrees.

Use of the supplied disposable gloves is not essential however, is

recommended for those with sensitive skin or where prolonged exposure is

anticipated. Mix the epoxy compound.

9. Pack the compound between the exposed cores starting at the centre and

working outwards, for the length of cable equal to the length of the supplied

brass insert. Ensure that as you work the epoxy compound inwards to brass insert. Ensure that as you work the epoxy compound inwards to

outwards, the cable cores return to their original position and all are fully

coated with the compound. Additionally ensure there is sufficient compound

to completely fill the bell shaped end of the brass insert.

10. Slide the insert over the epoxy filled cores, removing excess compound as

required, until the brass insert mates onto the cone.

11. Slide the cable through the fitted gland body, ensuring that the brass insert

remains mated with the cone and that the SWA butts up against the cone

face.

12. Slide the clamping ring and sleeve onto the SWA. Tighten the sleeve

whilst ensuring that the SWA is not allowed to slip back from the cone

face or that the brass insert does not part from the cone during this

tightening process.

13. Slide the OD seal into the fitted gland assembly. Apply a small amount of

cable pulling lubricant onto the exposed surface of the OD seal to allow

for easy assembly when the gland nut is now pushed up to meet the

threads of the gland assembly.

14. Tighten gland nut as per specifications supplied.14. Tighten gland nut as per specifications supplied.

15. Leave the assembled gland for three hours to allow for the epoxy

compound to cure. After curing, the gland may be disassembled for

inspection or maintenance.

These instructions are also printed in the Alco Gland Catalogue and are

also available on the website;

www.wattmaster.com.au

ALCO Cable Gland Tutorial

Thankyou!

For your attention

Phone: 1300 300 747