Waterproof Cable Glands: IP Ratings, Types, and Selection Guide

Waterproof cable glands are used to create a sealed cable entry point in electrical enclosures, junction boxes, control panels, machinery, outdoor equipment, and marine systems. Their main purpose is to prevent water, dust, dirt, oil, and other contaminants from entering the enclosure while keeping the cable securely fixed in place.

When a cable passes through an enclosure wall, the opening can become a weak point. A waterproof cable gland protects that opening by gripping the cable, compressing the sealing element, and maintaining the enclosure’s ingress protection. This is especially important for outdoor, industrial, washdown, marine, and high-humidity environments.

Choosing the right waterproof cable gland depends on its IP rating, cable diameter, thread type, material, sealing design, temperature range, and installation environment.

What Are IP Ratings?

IP ratings, also known as Ingress Protection ratings, define how well an enclosure or component protects against solids and liquids. The code usually contains two digits. The first digit indicates protection against solid objects such as dust, while the second digit indicates protection against water.

For waterproof cable glands, the IP rating tells users how well the gland can resist dust and water ingress when it is correctly installed with a suitable cable and enclosure.

For example, in an IP68 cable gland:

The first digit, “6,” means the gland is dust-tight.

The second digit, “8,” means the gland is designed for continuous immersion under specified conditions.

A higher IP rating does not always mean it is the best choice for every project. The right IP rating should match the actual exposure level of the application.

Common IP Ratings for Cable Glands and Their Uses

The most common IP ratings for waterproof cable glands are IP65, IP66, IP67, and IP68. Each rating is suitable for a different level of dust and water exposure.

IP Rating	Protection Level	Common Uses
IP65	Dust-tight and protected against water jets	Outdoor electrical boxes, lighting systems, garden equipment, control cabinets, and general weatherproof applications
IP66	Dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets	Industrial washdown areas, exposed outdoor panels, marine spray zones, and equipment exposed to heavy rain or high-pressure water
IP67	Dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion	Flood-prone areas, temporary submerged installations, outdoor sensors, and field equipment
IP68	Dust-tight and protected against long-term or continuous immersion under defined conditions	Underwater equipment, marine systems, submerged pipelines, wastewater facilities, and harsh industrial environments

IP65 Cable Glands

IP65 cable glands are suitable for many outdoor and light industrial applications. They protect against dust and low-pressure water jets, making them a practical choice for weather-exposed installations such as outdoor lighting, control boxes, and garden electrical equipment.

IP66 Cable Glands

IP66 cable glands provide stronger water protection than IP65. They are used where equipment may face heavy rain, powerful water jets, or sea spray. This makes them suitable for industrial environments, marine areas, and outdoor electrical systems exposed to more demanding weather conditions.

IP67 Cable Glands

IP67 cable glands are designed to withstand temporary immersion. They are useful in areas that may experience flooding, short-term submersion, or water pooling around the enclosure.

IP68 Cable Glands

IP68 cable glands provide the highest level of waterproof protection among the common ratings. They are designed for long-term immersion under specified pressure and duration. IP68 glands are commonly used in marine, underwater, wastewater, and high-protection industrial applications.

What Is a Waterproof Cable Gland?

A waterproof cable gland (also known as a cable ferrule) is a device used to facilitate the connection of cables or wires inside the enclosure of electrical or electronic equipment. Cable glands help maintain a watertight seal where the cable or wire enters the enclosure.

The clamp consists of a body and a nut. Its gasket and cable seal can be installed separately or integrated into the body. Hoonsun offers both types. During installation, the cable clamp is placed inside the circular opening of the enclosure, and the body and nut clamp against the enclosure wall, thus forming a watertight seal.

Properly installing accessories such as waterproof cable glands helps maintain the enclosure’s NEMA or IP protection rating when openings are made in waterproof enclosures.

How Do Waterproof Cable Glands Work?

Waterproof cable glands are ideal when you need to create cable entry or exit points in a waterproof enclosure without exposing your electronic equipment to water and dust. Waterproof cable glands work by creating a compression seal around the cable and enclosure entry point.

First, a suitably sized hole is cut in the enclosure. The cable gland is inserted into the hole, with the enclosure wall sandwiched between the connector body and the locking nut. The cable is then passed through the connector. When the locking nut is tightened, the internal seal compresses and encloses the cable sheath. Simultaneously, a washer or O-ring seals the area between the cable gland and the enclosure wall.

This creates two key sealing points:

• The seal between the cable glandand the enclosure
• The seal between the cable glandand the cable sheath

These seals work together to help prevent water, dust, and contaminants from entering the enclosure. The cable gland also securely holds the cable, thus relieving stress at the terminals and internal connections.

Types of Waterproof Cable Glands

Waterproof cable glands are available in different materials, structures, thread types, and performance grades. The right type depends on the cable, environment, enclosure, and protection requirement.

Brass Waterproof Cable Glands

Brass waterproof cable glands are widely used in industrial and electrical applications because they offer good mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, and long service life. Nickel-plated brass versions provide extra protection against oxidation, humidity, and mild chemical exposure.

They are commonly used in machinery, control panels, marine equipment, power distribution boxes, and harsh industrial environments.

Stainless Steel Waterproof Cable Glands

Stainless steel waterproof cable glands are ideal for harsh, corrosive, and hygienic environments. They are often used in marine, offshore, chemical processing, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and wastewater applications where corrosion resistance and strength are critical.

Nylon Waterproof Cable Glands

Nylon waterproof cable glands are lightweight, cost-effective, and easy to install. They are commonly used in electrical panels, lighting, automation equipment, telecommunications, and general outdoor applications. Nylon glands are suitable for many applications where high mechanical strength or grounding is not required.

Plastic Waterproof Cable Glands

Plastic waterproof cable glands are often used where insulation, chemical resistance, and low weight are important. They are suitable for general electrical equipment, small enclosures, and indoor or outdoor systems with moderate environmental exposure.

EMC Waterproof Cable Glands

EMC waterproof cable glands are designed to provide both waterproof sealing and electromagnetic shielding. They are used with shielded or braided cables in automation systems, control panels, data equipment, communication systems, and sensitive electronic installations.

Armored Waterproof Cable Glands

Armored waterproof cable glands are used with armored cables. They clamp the cable armor, provide mechanical protection, support earth continuity, and seal the cable entry point. These glands are common in power distribution, construction, industrial plants, underground installations, and hazardous environments.

PG, Metric, and NPT Waterproof Cable Glands

Waterproof cable glands are available with different thread standards, including PG, metric, and NPT. The thread must match the enclosure or installation requirement to ensure a secure fit and reliable seal.

Choosing a Waterproof Cable Gland

Waterproof cable glands are essential accessories if you need to drill holes in an NEMA 4X protection rating enclosure. But how do you choose the right size and material for your application? Here are some factors to consider when selecting waterproof cable glands:

Strictly Adhere to Specifications: Just as your outdoor weatherproof enclosure should meet stringent NEMA/IP protection ratings, so should your waterproof cable glands.

Recommended Operating Temperature: Check the maximum operating temperature range for your waterproof cable glands. Temperatures outside the recommended operating range can damage seals and compromise your electronic equipment.

Cable Diameter Range: Our CG series waterproof cable glands accommodate cables up to 1.26 inches in diameter. However, note that enclosure wall or partition thickness may vary. If you have any questions, contact us and we’ll help you find the ideal solution!

UL Flame Retardant Rating: Meeting certain fire safety standards is essential to ensure the safety of your electronic equipment. If your enclosure requires a high flame retardant rating, rest assured that all Hoonsun products are UL 94 certified and effectively protect your equipment.

UL Flame Retardant Rating: Meeting certain fire safety standards is crucial for the safety of your electronic equipment. If your enclosure requires a high flame retardant rating, rest assured that all Hoonsun products meet UL 94 testing standards and effectively protect your equipment. Easy installation: Our CG series nylon cable glands come with a lock nut, eliminating the need for O-rings and facilitating installation in various housings.

Why Choose Hoonsun for Quality Waterproof Cable Glands?

Hoonsun provides waterproof cable gland solutions for industrial, outdoor, marine, automation, and harsh environment applications. Its product range includes metal cable glands, nylon cable glands, marine cable glands, stainless steel cable glands, special function cable glands, and cable glands for hazardous locations.

For demanding installation environments, Hoonsun also emphasizes the corrosion resistance, explosion-proof certification, IP68 waterproof performance, and international certifications such as UL, CE, RoHS, REACH, TUV, and ATEX for its cable gland products.

Hoonsun positions itself as a cable gland manufacturer providing customized solutions, offering custom thread sizes, materials, colors, and seals to meet diverse application requirements.

FAQs

Q: What is a waterproof cable gland?

A waterproof cable gland seals and secures a cable where it enters an electrical enclosure, helping block water, dust, and contaminants.

Q: What IP rating is best for waterproof cable glands?

IP68 is best for long-term immersion. IP65, IP66, and IP67 are suitable for general outdoor, washdown, or temporary immersion use.

Q: Are IP65 cable glands waterproof?

Yes. IP65 cable glands resist dust and water jets, but they are not suitable for immersion.

Q: What is the difference between IP67 and IP68 cable glands?

IP67 is for temporary immersion. IP68 is for longer-term or continuous immersion under specified conditions.

Q: How do I choose a waterproof cable gland?

Choose by IP rating, cable diameter, thread size, material, sealing type, temperature range, and operating environment.

Q: Can waterproof cable glands be used outdoors?

Yes. Waterproof cable glands are commonly used in outdoor lighting, power boxes, control panels, solar systems, marine equipment, and industrial enclosures.