What is a Cable Gland?

A cable gland (in the U.S. more often known as a cable connector or fitting) is a device designed to attach and secure the end of an electrical cable to the equipment. A cable gland provides strain-relief and connects by a means suitable for the type and description of cable for which it is designed—including provision for making electrical connection to the armour or braid and lead or aluminium sheath of the cable, if any. Cable glands may also be used for sealing cables passing through bulkheads or gland plates.

Cable glands are mechanical cable entry devices. They are used throughout a number of industries in conjunction with cable and wiring used in electrical instrumentation and automation systems. Cable glands may be used on all types of electrical power, control, instrumentation, data and telecommunications cables. They are used as a sealing and termination device to ensure that the characteristics of the enclosure which the cable enters can be maintained adequately. Cable glands are made of various plastics, steel, brass or aluminum. Glands intended to resist dripping water or water pressure will include synthetic rubber or other types of elastomer seals. Certain types of cable glands may also serve to prevent entry of flammable gas into equipment enclosures, for electrical equipment in hazardous areas.

Cable glands are tools which are essential when terminating cables in harsh or hazardous environments.
These are settings where grounding, sealing and ingress protection is vital to pass a cable safely.
They offer strain relief and are made to include electrical flames or sparks which might happen in a hazardous setting.
In case you didn’t know yet, a cable gland also serves as a seal, blocking outside contaminants from causing any damage to the electrical and cable system like:

  • fluids
  • dirt;
  • dust

Ultimately, they avoid cables from being pulled out or twisted out of the machine.
That’s because they help to offer a secure connection between the machine and cable to which it’s connected.
Refference: metal cable glands