Cable Gland Selector — Product Note & Disclaimer
About This Tool
Cable Gland Selector is a browser-based engineering aid that helps instrument technicians, electrical engineers, and project teams quickly identify a suitable cable gland size for any industrial cable. The tool covers the full range of cable types common in process-plant environments, including:
- Instrumentation cables — Overall-screened and individual + overall screened, PVC or LSZH sheath, PVC or XLPE insulation (multi-pair and multi-triad, 0.5 mm² – 1.5 mm²)
- Thermocouple extension cables — Types KX, EX, and TX per IEC 60584-3, with overall or individual + overall Al/Mylar screening
- Thermocouple compensating cables — Types KCA and KCB per IEC 60584-3
- Variable Speed Drive (VSD) cables — XLPE-insulated, copper-tape screened, PVC or LSZH sheath, including fire-resistant mica-tape variants
- Fieldbus cables — PROFIBUS DP (Type A) and FOUNDATION Fieldbus PA, FPE-insulated, double overall-screened
- Armoured and unarmoured variants — Steel Wire Armour (SWA) per BS 6346 across all families
- Fire-resistant and flame-retardant grades — LSZH sheath with mica-tape fire barrier
The selector matches cable outer diameter (OD) against gland thread range tables and returns a recommended gland. When no exact match exists, it also surfaces the nearest alternatives. Additionally, a cable cross-section and side-view visualiser renders the internal construction in real time.
Standards References
The cable data in this tool aligns with the following published standards. However, users must consult the current edition of each standard for authoritative design and procurement decisions:
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| BS 5308 Part 1 | Instrumentation cables — PVC insulated, PVC sheathed |
| BS 5308 Part 2 | Instrumentation cables — XLPE / LSZH insulated and sheathed |
| IEC 60228 | Conductors of insulated cables |
| IEC 60332-1 / -3 | Flame propagation tests for cables |
| IEC 60584-3 | Thermocouple extension and compensating cables |
| IEC 61156 | Multi-core and symmetrical pair/quad cables (Fieldbus) |
| IEC 61158-2 | Fieldbus physical layer specification (DP / PA) |
| BS 6346 | PVC-insulated armoured cables — construction |
| BS EN 62444 / IEC 62444 | Cable glands for electrical installations |
| BS EN 50262 | Cable gland metric thread series |
Furthermore, conductor colour codes for thermocouple and compensating cables follow the IEC 60584-3 international colour convention, not the older British or American conventions. Therefore, users working to a different regional colour standard should verify core polarity independently before installation.
Limitations & Disclaimer
This tool is a design aid only. It does not constitute engineering sign-off, a purchase specification, or a safety document. A qualified engineer must verify all selections before procurement or installation.
Cable OD Measurement
OD values in this tool come from published manufacturer data sheets and standard reference tables. However, actual cable OD varies between manufacturers, conductor lots, and production batches. Consequently, always measure the installed cable OD with calibrated vernier calipers and confirm it falls within the selected gland’s clamping range before ordering.
Gland Size vs. Gland Type
This tool identifies gland size only. Nevertheless, the correct gland type for SWA cables — for example, A1, A2, or A3 pattern per BS EN 62444 — depends on area classification, IP rating, and termination box entry thread. Therefore, consult the gland manufacturer’s selection guide to confirm the pattern. Additionally, the gland range tables cover common metric and NPT thread series only and do not include every specialist variant, such as EMC earth-tag glands or sub-sea glands.
Hazardous Areas
For Zone 1, Zone 2, Division 1, or Division 2 installations, the cable gland must carry an IECEx or ATEX certification. Moreover, installers must follow the certified drawing and the manufacturer’s instructions precisely. A standard, uncertified gland is not acceptable in a classified hazardous area, regardless of size match.
Fire-Resistant Cables
For cables with a fire-resistant rating — specifically mica-tape + XLPE + LSZH sheath — the gland assembly must also pass the same circuit-integrity fire test as the cable itself. In other words, using a standard gland on a fire-rated cable voids the circuit-integrity compliance. Therefore, verify that the complete gland assembly carries a rating matching the cable’s fire duration, typically 30 or 120 minutes to BS 8519 or IEC 60331.
Data Storage & Privacy
The tool runs entirely in the browser. As a result, no selection data transfers to any external server. The browser stores saved results in local storage only, so users are responsible for archiving outputs to their own project documentation system.
Standards Currency & Procurement
Standards bodies revise documents periodically. Consequently, users must confirm that the edition in force on their project has not introduced dimensional changes that would affect gland selection. Finally, always cross-reference the chosen gland against the manufacturer’s current published datasheet — including clamping range, IP rating, temperature rating, and torque specification — before raising a purchase order.
For technical queries about cable gland selection methodology, contact your electrical or instrument engineering discipline lead.
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