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Stainless Steel Cable Glands (Metric and NPT)
Stainless Steel Cable Glands — Metric and NPT Thread, Grades 316 and 304, IP68 Rated
Stainless Steel Cable Glands (also referred to as stainless steel cable entry glands, SS cable glands, stainless cable gland fittings, or stainless steel cable connectors) are precision-machined cable management and cable sealing components that provide a mechanically secure, environmentally sealed, and strain-relieved entry point for electric cables through enclosure walls, junction boxes, control panels, and process equipment in corrosive, marine, offshore, chemical, food processing, pharmaceutical, and hazardous area electrical installations. Manufactured from AISI 316 (Grade 316, 1.4401) and AISI 304 (Grade 304, 1.4301) austenitic stainless steel, Electrical Accessories India produces stainless steel cable glands in both Metric thread series (M12 to M63, per EN 62444 / BS 6121) and NPT thread series (1/4″ to 2″, per ASME B1.20.1), covering armoured cables, unarmoured cables, and flexible conduit connections across the full range of cable ODs from 2 mm to 55 mm. Price: US$ 10.90/Kilogram
Product Overview
Construction and Design of Stainless Steel Cable Glands
A stainless steel cable gland assembly consists of: the gland body (externally threaded for enclosure entry, with locknut and washer); the compression seal assembly (elastomeric O-rings or EPDM/NBR/silicone sealing insert that compresses radially onto the cable outer sheath to provide IP-rated environmental seal); the cable retention element (cone, backnut, or clamping ring that grips the cable outer sheath for IP68 pull-out resistance); and for armoured cable types, the armour clamping cone (steel or SS wire basket or cone that grips the cable armour — SWA, AWA, or STA — for mechanical continuity and anti-rotation). All gland body machining is performed to tight thread tolerances (6g external / 6H internal per ISO 965) to ensure correct engagement with panel and enclosure entries without thread binding or leakage. The gland entry (cable-side) is sized to the specific cable OD range; most glands are supplied with an outer O-ring (for IP68 sealing at the enclosure entry face) and an inner sealing ring (for IP-rated cable sheath sealing). The assembled gland provides combined IP and mechanical protection without the need for sealants or additional external sealing compounds.
Grade 316 vs Grade 304 Stainless Steel for Cable Glands
The choice between AISI 316 and AISI 304 stainless steel determines the cable gland’s corrosion performance in the specific installation environment. AISI 316 (EN 1.4401, UNS S31600) contains 2–3% molybdenum (Mo) in addition to 16–18% chromium (Cr) and 10–14% nickel (Ni), providing resistance to pitting corrosion and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments — critical for marine, offshore platform, coastal substation, swimming pool, desalination plant, and chemical process installations. AISI 304 (EN 1.4301, UNS S30400) contains 18% Cr and 8% Ni without molybdenum — provides excellent general corrosion resistance in atmospheric and mild chemical environments, food-grade stainless steel installations (FDA-compliant surface finish available), pharmaceutical cleanroom electrical panels, brewing and dairy processing areas, and indoor chemical laboratory installations. For maximum corrosion resistance in highly aggressive environments (HCl acid, chloride concentration >200 ppm, or seawater direct contact), AISI 316L (low carbon, 1.4404) or duplex stainless steel (2205, 1.4462) cable glands are available on special order.
Metric Thread Cable Glands (M12 to M63)
Metric stainless steel cable glands are produced to the metric thread dimension series per ISO 1502 and EN 62444, most widely used in European, Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, and African electrical installations. Standard metric cable gland thread sizes: M12, M16, M20, M25, M32, M40, M50, and M63 — covering cable OD ranges from 2–6.5 mm (M12) to 35–55 mm (M63). Metric glands comply with BS 6121-1 (performance standard for cable glands for electrical installations) and EN 62444 (IEC 62444, cable glands for electrical installations — general requirements). The metric thread form (60° V-thread, coarse pitch) ensures reliable engagement with standard metric-threaded enclosure entries, DIN rails, and panel knockouts produced to IEC 60423 KO dimensions. Metric stainless steel cable glands are the standard choice for European-specification industrial panels, offshore wind power installation, process plant electrical (IEC standard), and transformer/switchgear enclosure cable entries.
NPT Thread Cable Glands (1/4″ to 2″)
NPT (National Pipe Taper) stainless steel cable glands, produced to ASME B1.20.1 thread standard, are required for cable entries into North American-specification electrical enclosures (NEMA rated), conduit boxes, and process equipment built to ANSI/NEMA standards. NPT is a tapered thread form (1° 47′ taper per inch) that creates a mechanical interference seal when threaded into a matching tapered entry — eliminating the need for the external face O-ring sealing that metric parallel-thread glands require. Standard NPT stainless steel cable gland sizes: 1/2″ NPT (most common, equivalent to ~M20 entry), 3/4″ NPT, 1″ NPT, 1-1/4″ NPT, 1-1/2″ NPT, and 2″ NPT. NPT stainless steel glands are specified for petrochemical plants, oil refineries, chemical facilities, and industrial installations in North America, the Middle East (API-specification projects), and Latin America where ANSI/NEMA or API-standard equipment is used alongside IEC-standard cabling.
IP68 and IP69K Environmental Sealing
Stainless steel cable glands are routinely specified to achieve IP66, IP67, and IP68 environmental sealing ratings per IEC 60529 (EN 60529). IP66 — protection against powerful water jets from any direction; IP67 — temporary immersion (1 m depth for 30 minutes); IP68 — continuous immersion at stated depth (customer-specified; typically 3–10 m); IP69K — high-pressure, high-temperature water jet cleaning (100 bar, 80°C, per ISO 20653 / DIN 40050 Part 9) — required for food processing, dairy, pharmaceutical, and washdown areas. Electrical Accessories India’s stainless steel cable glands are tested and certified to IP68 (2 m for 24 hours) as standard, with IP66 and IP67 as part of the same test. The IP rating is achieved by: (a) EPDM or NBR sealing insert on the cable sheath; (b) SS/EPDM O-ring on the enclosure entry face; (c) stainless steel locknut tightened to specified torque. Sealing material selection: EPDM (standard, -40°C to +120°C, suitable for water and mild chemical environments); NBR (nitrile, for oil and petroleum product resistance); silicone (high temperature, -55°C to +180°C, for heat-exposed cable entries); and FKM/Viton (for aggressive chemical environments, solvents, and high-temperature oil contact).
ATEX and IECEx Certified Stainless Steel Cable Glands
For hazardous area installations (petroleum refineries, chemical plants, LNG terminals, pharmaceutical manufacturing areas), stainless steel cable glands with ATEX (ATmosphères EXplosibles) and IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission Explosive) certifications are required to ensure the cable entry does not compromise the explosion protection of the associated equipment. Certified SS cable glands are produced to: ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU (Group I and II, Equipment Category 1G/2G/3G for gas, 1D/2D/3D for dust); IECEx Scheme certificate; Ex e (increased safety) type for cable entries into increased safety Ex equipment (motors, junction boxes, terminal boxes). ATEX and IECEx certified SS cable glands are rated for Zone 0, 1, 2 (gas) and Zone 20, 21, 22 (dust) hazardous areas. Temperature classification: T1 to T6, dependent on installation temperature and sealing material. Electrical Accessories India supplies ATEX/IECEx certified stainless steel cable glands manufactured to certified designs from 3rd-party test house documentation.
Surface Finish and Hygiene Grades
Stainless steel cable glands are available in multiple surface finish grades depending on the application’s hygiene, aesthetic, and corrosion requirements. Standard machined finish (Ra 1.6–3.2 µm) — suitable for general industrial and offshore applications; electropolished (EP, Ra ≤ 0.8 µm, per ASTM B912) — required for food-grade, pharmaceutical, and cleanroom cable gland installations where surface roughness must be minimised to prevent microbial adhesion; passivated (citric acid or nitric acid passivation per ASTM A967/A380) — removes free iron contamination from machined surface, restoring the chromium oxide passive layer for maximum corrosion resistance; polished (mirror, Ra ≤ 0.4 µm) — for hygienic processing areas and decorative architectural electrical installations. Electropolished + passivated is the standard combination for pharmaceutical and food-grade stainless cable glands.
Armoured vs Unarmoured Cable Gland Types
Stainless steel cable glands are manufactured in configurations for both armoured and unarmoured cables. Type A (unarmoured, single-seal) — for PVC/XLPE-sheathed unarmoured cables; single sealing ring; used in most general wiring, instrumentation, and control cable applications. Type B (armoured, double-seal) — for Steel Wire Armoured (SWA), Aluminium Wire Armoured (AWA), or Steel Tape Armoured (STA) cables; includes armour clamping cone, outer sealing ring, and inner cable sealing ring; provides electrical continuity through the armour for EMC and fault current return. Type BW (unarmoured, with locknut, double-compression) — for unarmoured cables in vibration-prone environments requiring enhanced grip. Type CW (with earth tag/earth tail) — for armoured cables requiring external earth connection at the gland, used in substation and transformer installations.
Key Features
- Material: AISI 316 (1.4401) and AISI 304 (1.4301) — corrosion-resistant for marine, chemical, and food-grade environments
- Thread options: Metric M12–M63 (EN 62444 / BS 6121) and NPT 1/4″–2″ (ASME B1.20.1)
- IP68 rated (2 m, 24 h) as standard; IP66, IP67, IP69K on request
- ATEX / IECEx certified variants for Zone 1/2/21/22 hazardous areas
- Sealing options: EPDM, NBR, Silicone, FKM/Viton — matched to temperature and chemical exposure
- Armoured (SWA/AWA/STA) and unarmoured cable configurations
- Electropolished and passivated finishes for food, pharma, and cleanroom use
- ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturing; material certificates and test reports supplied
Cable OD Range Coverage
Each gland body thread size accommodates a defined cable OD range. The sealing insert must match the cable OD for correct IP rating. Multi-range inserts (step-seal or tri-seal) accommodate up to 3 cable OD sub-ranges within a single gland body, reducing stocking requirements for variable cable OD runs.
EMC Screening Cable Glands in SS
For screened/shielded instrumentation and signal cables (overall foil or braid screen), stainless steel EMC cable glands with 360° inner screen clamping provide continuous metallic shield termination and low-impedance earth reference at the enclosure entry. These glands connect the cable screen directly to the SS gland body and SS enclosure, maintaining EMC shielding integrity and suppressing HF noise injection into the equipment enclosure.
SS Cable Glands for Flexible Conduit Systems
Stainless steel cable glands are also used as the enclosure-entry termination in flexible stainless steel conduit systems — the gland provides IP-rated connection between the flexible SS conduit and the equipment enclosure. These glands have a smooth bore (not a sealing insert) on the conduit side and an O-ring sealed metric or NPT external thread for enclosure entry. See also: Stainless Steel Glands and Connectors for Flexible Conduits.
NEMA 4X Equivalent Rating
AISI 316 stainless steel cable glands installed per manufacturer specification in metallic enclosures achieve NEMA 4X (Hosedown/Corrosion Resistant) rating equivalence for North American installations, providing protection against corrosion, windblown dust, rain, splashing/hosedown water and ice formation — required for chemical, food, and outdoor NEMA-rated panel installations.
High-Temperature Variants
For cable entries into equipment with elevated ambient or cable surface temperature (furnaces, power transformers, high-power drives), silicone-sealed SS cable glands rated to +180°C continuous (with short-term 220°C capability) are produced. The SS body withstands continuous heat; only the sealing insert material limits the temperature rating. High-temperature silicone or PTFE inserts are specified for these applications.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material (Body) | AISI 316 (1.4401) / AISI 304 (1.4301) Stainless Steel |
| Material (Sealing Insert) | EPDM (standard) / NBR / Silicone / FKM-Viton |
| Thread Standard (Metric) | M12, M16, M20, M25, M32, M40, M50, M63 per ISO 1502 |
| Thread Standard (NPT) | 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″, 2″ per ASME B1.20.1 |
| Cable OD Range | 2 mm to 55 mm (depending on gland size and insert) |
| IP Rating | IP66 / IP67 / IP68 (2 m, 24 h) standard; IP69K on request |
| Temperature Range (EPDM) | -40°C to +120°C |
| Temperature Range (Silicone) | -55°C to +180°C |
| Surface Finish | Machined (Ra 1.6 µm) / Electropolished (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm) / Passivated |
| ATEX/IECEx | Ex e II, Group II, Category 2G/3G — certified variants available |
| Standards Compliance | EN 62444 / IEC 62444 / BS 6121-1 / ASME B1.20.1 |
| Price | US$ 10.90/Kilogram |
Stainless Steel Grade Reference Table
| Grade | EN (Euro) | UNS (USA) | BS (UK) | IS (India) | Key Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 316 | 1.4401 | S31600 | 316 S 31 | IS 6911 SS316 | Marine-grade, Mo-bearing, pitting resistant |
| AISI 316L | 1.4404 | S31603 | 316 S 11 | IS 6911 SS316L | Low carbon, weldable, max corrosion resistance |
| AISI 304 | 1.4301 | S30400 | 304 S 31 | IS 6911 SS304 | General purpose, food-grade, atmospheric |
| AISI 304L | 1.4307 | S30403 | 304 S 11 | IS 6911 SS304L | Low carbon, sensitization-resistant |
Metric Thread Size vs Cable OD Range
| Thread Size | Enclosure KO Size (IEC 60423) | Cable OD Range (mm) | Armoured Cable OD (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M12 | Ø16.7 mm | 3–6.5 | N/A |
| M16 | Ø20.4 mm | 4–8 | 6–12 |
| M20 | Ø25.4 mm | 6–12 | 10–18 |
| M25 | Ø30.4 mm | 10–17 | 14–22 |
| M32 | Ø36.0 mm | 15–21 | 19–28 |
| M40 | Ø44.5 mm | 20–28 | 25–38 |
| M50 | Ø54.5 mm | 27–35 | 35–48 |
| M63 | Ø67.5 mm | 34–45 | 45–55 |
Product Types and Variants
| Type | Thread | Cable Type | Seal | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type A (Unarmoured) | Metric / NPT | Unarmoured PVC/XLPE | EPDM single seal | General electrical, control panels |
| Type B (SWA Armoured) | Metric / NPT | SWA/AWA/STA armoured | EPDM double seal | Industrial, substation, power feeders |
| Type BW (Double Compression) | Metric / NPT | Unarmoured, vibration duty | EPDM double seal | Marine, rail, vibration-prone systems |
| Type CW (Earth Tag) | Metric | SWA armoured with earth tag | EPDM double seal | Transformer, switchgear, earth continuity |
| ATEX/IECEx Ex e | Metric | Armoured / unarmoured | Certified seal | Zone 1/2/21/22 hazardous area |
| EMC Screened Gland | Metric | Screened/shielded cables | 360° screen clamp | Instrumentation, signal, EMC panels |
| IP69K Gland | Metric | Unarmoured | EPDM high-pressure | Food, pharma, hosedown washdown |
| Electropolished (Food Grade) | Metric | Unarmoured | FDA-grade EPDM | Food processing, dairy, pharma |
Applications in Industry
| Industry | Application | Grade | Thread | IP Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marine / Offshore | Junction box, switchboard cable entries on ships/platforms | 316 | Metric | IP68 |
| Oil and Gas / Petrochemical | ATEX Zone 1/2 hazardous area cable entries | 316 | Metric / NPT | IP66/68 |
| Chemical Processing | Corrosion-resistant panel cable entries | 316 / 316L | Metric / NPT | IP66 |
| Food and Beverage | IP69K washdown, FDA-compliant glands | 316 (EP) | Metric | IP69K |
| Pharmaceutical | Cleanroom electrical panels, sterile area cable entries | 316 (EP+passivated) | Metric | IP66/IP69K |
| Water / Wastewater | Submersible pump cable entries, wet well panels | 316 | Metric | IP68 |
| Power Utilities / Substations | Outdoor transformer, switchgear cable entries | 304 / 316 | Metric | IP66 |
| Mining | Dust and water-ingress resistant cable connections | 316 | Metric / NPT | IP68 |
Manufacturing Process
Stainless steel cable glands are CNC-machined from certified stainless steel bar stock (hot-rolled or cold-drawn round bar) with full material traceability to material test certificates including chemical composition (by optical emission spectrometry) and mechanical properties. Process flow: (1) Material receipt and incoming inspection — mill test certificate verification, hardness check, and PMI (Positive Material Identification) by XRF; (2) CNC turning — gland body profile, external thread, cable entry bore, and sealing seat machined in one or two setups on CNC turning centre; (3) Hex milling — spanner flat machined by CNC milling for installation torque; (4) Drilling — where required for earthing tail or grounding provisions; (5) Thread inspection — thread gauge verification of every gland body (go/no-go gauges per ISO 1502 for metric, ASME B1.20.1 for NPT); (6) Deburring — all edges and internal bores burr-free; (7) Passivation — citric acid or nitric acid passivation bath per ASTM A967 removes free iron from machined surface; (8) Electropolishing (food/pharma grade) — electrochemical polishing in phosphoric/sulfuric acid bath to ASTM B912, producing Ra ≤ 0.8 µm surface; (9) Assembly — sealing insert, O-rings, locknut, and earth washer assembled; (10) IP test sampling — immersion test on batch samples per IEC 60529; (11) Marking — gland size, material grade, thread standard, and IP rating marked on gland body; (12) Packaging — individual polybag with batch label, packed in trays/cartons.
Quality Standards and Certifications
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| EN 62444 / IEC 62444 | Cable glands for electrical installations — general requirements |
| BS 6121-1 | Cable glands for electrical installations — performance requirements |
| IEC 60529 | Degrees of protection (IP ratings) — IP66/67/68/69K |
| ASME B1.20.1 | NPT pipe thread standard |
| ISO 1502 | Metric thread gauging |
| ATEX 2014/34/EU | Equipment for explosive atmospheres (certified variants) |
| IECEx Scheme | International explosive atmosphere certification |
| ASTM A967 / A380 | Passivation of stainless steel |
| ASTM B912 | Electropolishing of stainless steel |
| ISO 9001:2015 | Quality Management System |
Why Choose Electrical Accessories India?
- Dual Thread Coverage — Metric (M12–M63) and NPT (1/2″–2″) from one source for global projects
- Grade 316 and 304 — both marine-grade and general-purpose SS available with PMI verification
- IP68 Standard — every standard gland IP66/67/68 rated; no additional sealing compound required
- ATEX/IECEx Capability — certified designs for hazardous area procurement
- Food and Pharma Grade — electropolished + passivated SS316 to IP69K for hygienic installations
- Full Sealing Material Range — EPDM, NBR, Silicone, FKM from stock
- Price: US$ 10.90/Kilogram — competitive for marine, chemical, and offshore procurement
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the difference between AISI 316 and AISI 304 stainless steel cable glands?
AISI 316 contains 2–3% molybdenum which gives it superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance in chloride environments (seawater, chemical process, food brine). AISI 304 has no molybdenum and is suitable for non-chloride corrosive environments (atmospheric, mild chemical, food processing without brine). For marine, offshore, and chemical installations, 316 is always specified. 304 is adequate for indoor pharmaceutical and general industrial applications.
Q2. Do your SS cable glands achieve IP68 without additional sealant?
Yes. Our stainless steel cable glands achieve IP68 (2 m, 24 hours) when correctly installed with the appropriate sealing insert size matching the cable OD and with the gland locknut tightened to the specified installation torque. No sealant, putty, or additional sealing compound is required or recommended, as these can impair the designed sealing performance.
Q3. What sealing material should I specify for chemical plant cable glands?
It depends on the chemical exposure: EPDM — for water, steam, dilute acids and alkalis, and ozone; NBR — for petroleum products, hydraulic oils, and mineral oils; FKM/Viton — for aggressive solvents, concentrated acids, high-temperature oils, and most chemical process environments; Silicone — for high temperature (>120°C) with mild chemical exposure. For chemical plant with mixed chemical exposure, FKM/Viton is usually the safest choice.
Q4. Can you supply NPT-thread stainless steel cable glands for NEMA enclosures?
Yes. NPT (ASME B1.20.1) stainless steel cable glands in 1/2″, 3/4″, 1″, 1-1/4″, 1-1/2″, and 2″ sizes are available in Grade 316 and 304 for NEMA 4X rated enclosure installations. These comply with NEMA 250 Type 4X requirements when installed as specified.
Q5. Are ATEX-certified stainless steel cable glands available?
Yes. ATEX/IECEx certified SS cable glands for Ex e (increased safety) and Ex d (flameproof) enclosure entries are available in metric thread sizes for Zone 1 and Zone 2 (gas) and Zone 21 and Zone 22 (dust) hazardous areas. Supply of ATEX-certified glands is accompanied by ATEX Declaration of Conformity and IECEx Certificate reference.
Q6. What is the minimum order quantity?
For standard metric sizes (M16–M40) in Grade 316 EPDM: MOQ 50 pieces. For NPT sizes and larger glands (M50, M63): MOQ 25 pieces. For ATEX-certified and electropolished special grades: MOQ 25 pieces. Samples (5–10 pieces) available for specification evaluation and type approval.
Q7. Do you supply stainless steel cable gland kits with locknuts and washers?
Yes. Complete cable gland kits including: SS gland body + SS locknut + SS flat washer + sealing insert + inner O-ring are available as pre-assembled or separately bagged kits. Earth tag/tail accessories and shroud boots are available as optional extras.
Q8. Can SS cable glands be used on armoured cables for substation installations?
Yes. Type B (SWA/AWA armoured) stainless steel cable glands with armour clamping cone, outer O-ring, and inner cable sealing ring are produced for SWA, AWA, and STA armoured cables in the M16–M63 size range. For substation applications requiring earth continuity through the gland armour to the enclosure metalwork, Type CW with integral earth tag is recommended per IEC 62444 and BS 6121 earthing requirements.
Q9. Are electropolished stainless steel cable glands available for food processing?
Yes. Grade 316 SS cable glands with electropolished finish (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm, ASTM B912) + citric acid passivation (ASTM A967) + FDA/food-grade EPDM sealing insert + IP69K rating are produced for food, dairy, beverage, and pharmaceutical cleanroom cable entries. Crevice-free design (no external threads exposed to the process area) is available on request for hygienic installation compliance.
Q10. What certifications do you provide with SS cable gland orders?
Standard documentation: material test certificate (MTC) per EN 10204 3.1 (chemical composition and mechanical properties of SS bar stock), dimensional inspection certificate, IP test report (batch sample), and certificate of conformance. ATEX/IECEx Declaration of Conformity supplied with certified variants. Electropolish and passivation certificates supplied with food/pharma-grade items.
Equivalent Terms in Other Languages
| Language | Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Prensaestopas de acero inoxidable | Racores de cable inoxidable | Glándulas de cable acero inoxidable |
| Russian | Кабельные вводы из нержавеющей стали | Сальники кабельные нержавейка | Кабельные уплотнения нержавеющая сталь |
| French | Presse-étoupes inox | Glandes de câble en acier inoxydable | Connecteurs de câble inox |
| Portuguese | Prensa-cabos em aço inoxidável | Bucins de cabo inox | Glândulas de cabo aço inoxidável |
| Italian | Pressacavi in acciaio inossidabile | Ghiere per cavi inox | Raccordi per cavi acciaio inossidabile |
Related Stainless Steel Products
- Stainless Steel Glands and Connectors for Flexible Conduits
- Stainless Steel Lock Nuts for Cable Glands
- Cable Glands (Brass)
- Cable Glands Accessories
- Aluminum Machined Washers
Get a Quote — Stainless Steel Cable Glands
Specify thread type (Metric/NPT), size, material grade (SS316/SS304), cable type (armoured/unarmoured), cable OD, sealing material, IP rating required, surface finish, and quantity. For ATEX/IECEx requirements, provide Zone classification, gas group, and temperature class.
Price: US$ 10.90/Kilogram | MOQ: 25–50 pcs | Gujarat, India | Global Export
