What Are EMC Cable Glands?
Electronic components in our homes, factories, offices, and all other facets of life are increasingly sensitive to electromagnetic interference. On the other hand, there is an increased frequency of interference instances, making electrical components and appliances particularly sensitive to interference. As such, there is a need to shield electrical appliances from interference.
Using a maximally shielded cable to protect electrical appliances and instruments from electromagnetic interference is not enough. The sensitive interconnection and/or termination points should be shielded as well. This is where EMC cable glands come in – they protect the connection point from electromagnetic interference. An EMC-compliant gland will ensure protection integrity carries over from the cable to the next cable or the termination point.
EMC Cable Glands: Definition
Cable glands are mechanical cable entry devices used for interconnection and termination of wiring and cable for instrumentation, electrical, automation, and control systems such as telecoms data, power, and lighting. The gland functions as a termination device that ensures the shielding integrity applied and implemented on cables carries over onto the interconnection and termination points.
Aside from terminating devices, EMC-compliant cable glands are also designed to protect the electrical enclosures.
EMC Cable Glands: Benefits
1). Shields Sensitive Electronic Components – The glands protect the electrical equipment from electromagnetic interference, ensuring there is no loss of electromagnetic protection integrity at the interconnection or termination point. Cable glands play a major part in the EMC protection at the transitions to enclosures.
2). Continuous Clamping With Adequate Pull Out Resistance – Many EMC cable glands are designed to ensure continuous and secure clamping onto the cable’s braided shield, even during dynamic applications. Such a low impedance connection reduces the risk of self-loosening, which further enhances EMC performance.
3). They Offer A Reliable Earth Continuity – This is particularly effective in the case of cable glands made of metal. Typically, metal cable glands are made and tested to withstand peak short circuit fault current that might occur in areas the gland is used.
4). Environmental Protection Of The Instrument/Electrical Enclosure – The cable gland enhances the seal on the outer cable sheath. This prevents moisture and dust from ingress into the instrument or electrical instrument.
5). Enhanced General Sealing – Cable glands also enhance the sealing around the cable entry parts of an instrument. The enhanced general sealing is particularly crucial for electric appliances and instruments that require an exceptionally high degree of ingress protection.
EMC Cable Glands: Features
- Quick Assembly – While quality EMC cable glands typically offer optimal shielding, enhanced sealing, and high resistance to torsion forces, they are also easy and quick to assemble. The assembly of a quality gland should be intuitive and fast.
- Convenient Installation Of The Glands – A quality EMC gland is easy to install despite offering perfect sealing, flexible terminating methods, low contact resistance, low resistance to torsion forces, and continuous contact pressure. For instance, EMC uses screw connections to terminate the cable. Such connectors are inherently easy-to-use.
- Constant Contact With Low Transfer Impedance – The contact sleeves in EMC glands are designed to make permanent, all-round contact with the braided shield. Additionally, the contact is made of low-resistance material, further ensuring low resistance is achieved.
Final Thoughts
Protecting electrical appliances and equipment from electromagnetic interference must extend beyond the electrical or instrumentation cable. You cannot get perfect shielding if you do not shield the termination or interconnection point. As such, when designing electrical devices and instruments, ensure you use quality EMC glands on termination points and interconnections.
EMC Testing and Certification
EMC testing and certification are an important part of product development. Ensuring your devices, systems, machines, and equipment is EMC compliant during the product development negates the risk of making expensive and sometimes difficult reworks that will delay product launch.
The EMC testing and certification experts at Compliance Engineering are experienced in testing all aspects of electromagnetic shielding, including testing the integrity and effectiveness of cable glands. We can help validate the shielding integrity of your cable interconnections and termination points.
Please call us today at Compliance Engineering on + 61 3 9763 3079 or request a quote.