Conduit glands, also referred to as cable glands when used specifically with cables or conduit fittings when used with conduits, are used to secure the end of an electrical conduit to a piece of equipment, enclosure, or junction box. Their primary function is to provide a secure entry for the cable or conduit and ensure that it is sealed and retained properly. This includes:

Sealing: Conduit glands provide a tight seal that protects the wiring from environmental factors like dust, moisture, and chemicals.

Retention: They prevent the conduit or cable from being pulled out of its connection, thus ensuring a stable and secure installation.

Grounding: Metal conduit glands can also provide grounding or shielding over the armor or braid of cables, which might be critical in preventing electrical faults.

Conduit glands are available in various materials such as nickel plated brass, stainless steel or plastic, each suitable for different applications, environmental conditions and types of conduits or cables.

Conduit fittings are the essential connectors to attach conduit to devices, and to create a raceway to manage the direction or elevation of cables. They come in various shapes and sizes or are tailor made to specific needs in an electrical conduit system. Key functions include:

Connecting: Conduit fittings come basically in three executions and threads; straight, 45° and 90° elbows and ISO metric, PG and NPT. They ensure a strong and reliable connection between two connection points.

Retention: Like cable glands, they prevent the conduit or cable from being pulled out of its connection, thus ensuring a stable and secure installation.

While often used interchangeably with conduit glands when referring to their function with cables, cable glands specifically refer to the devices used at the knock out points of cables to secure them to equipment. They are essential for: 

Securing Cables: Cable glands firmly hold the cable in place where it enters a piece of equipment, ensuring it doesn’t move and doesn’t get pulled out, which could cause electrical failures. 

Maintaining Integrity: By providing a tight seal, cable glands maintain the integrity of the enclosure, protecting the internal components from external environmental effects. 

Ensuring Safety: Cable glands can enhance safety by maintaining the cable’s electrical continuity and grounding, particularly important in hazardous environments. 

Cable glands are critical in areas where cables transition from an external environment to an internal one, such as in control panels, motor connections, and lighting fixtures. 

In short: Understanding these distinctions not only facilitates proper installation but also contributes to the longevity and safety of your electrical systems.

Conduit glands, a term commonly used in electrical installations, should be understood as either conduit fittings or cable glands, depending on the specific application. Conduit glands, which secure and seal conduits at connection points, align with conduit fittings used to construct and navigate the conduit system during installation. Cable glands, meanwhile, focus on securing and protecting cables at their termination points. Selecting the appropriate type of component based on the application, environmental conditions, and regulatory requirements is essential for ensuring a safe, compliant, and efficient electrical system.

We can imagine it still causes confusion. At Anamet Europe we have of course the know how to advise you. Reach out to one of our experienced colleagues to explore the full range of options tailored to your specific application needs. Call our Inside Sales +31 20 586 3 586 or simply visit our contact page at https://www.anameteurope.com/contact/ and we will contact you.