Should You Use a Shroud on a Cable Gland? A Complete Industry Breakdown:
In the electrical industry, few topics cause more debate than whether a cable gland shroud should be used as part of an installation. For decades, installers assumed shrouds improved protection, but modern engineering practice shows that their role is far more limited than many believe. To understand this fully, it's important to consider electrical safety, environmental factors, and how cable glands function within electrical systems operating in industrial settings.
What a Shroud Was Originally Designed to Do
A shroud is a flexible cover positioned over the gland at the cable entry point. Historically, it was used with older brass cable glands and early plastic designs to hide armour wires, improve appearance, and provide minimal environmental protection from dust, moisture, and chemicals. These covers served basic aesthetic and contamination-related purposes in certain applications, but they did not influence the gland’s ingress protection, ingress protection ratings, or sealing arrangement.
Modern glands now incorporate advanced material engineering and are designed to deliver strong strain relief, robust enclosure sealing, and long-term safety without reliance on external coverings. Products across our full range (https://www.cableglandsuk.com/collections/cable-glands) are suitable for harsh operating conditions where equipment must withstand demanding conditions, including exposure to liquids and airborne contaminants present in many industries.
Why Many Installers No Longer Use Shrouds
1. They Offer No Performance Benefit
A shroud does not alter the ip rating, sealing interface, or mechanical grip of the gland. These features depend on correct sizing, thread type, and the engineered thread form.
2. They Obstruct Inspection
A shroud can hide the gland body and reduce access needed to check gland torque, verify the seal, assess gland installed depth, and ensure proper connection inside the enclosure. This can complicate maintenance processes, especially where inspections are crucial for system longevity.
3. They Can Trap Moisture and Foreign Material
In outdoor environment conditions, a shroud may retain water ingress, dirt, or residue, creating accelerated corrosion. Modern glands are reliable and offer proven durability without added covers.
4. Standards Do Not Require Them
Major standards, including BS EN 60079-14 (external reference: https://electrical.theiet.org), specify nothing about shroud usage because proper installation depends on selecting the right gland—not adding accessories.
Industry Exceptions: When a Shroud Is Mandatory (WIMES Requirements)
Although shrouds are rarely needed for modern electrical installations, there are sectors where they are explicitly required. One key example is the UK water sector under WIMES 3.02 (Water Industry Mechanical & Electrical Specifications).
WIMES 3.02 Section 6.5.1.1 states:
“Cable glands shall be provided with shrouds to minimise the risk of dirt or foreign substances gathering on the cable gland body and/or cable to cable gland interface.”
This requirement exists because water treatment sites operate in harsh environments, often containing sludge, debris, and aerosolised contaminants. Here, a shroud helps protect the gland interface from build-up that may affect system performance.
WIMES clarifies the purpose clearly:
A shroud’s role is environmental, not related to ingress protection, sealing rating, or electrical function.
Industry Comparison: Who Requires Shrouds vs. Who Discourages Them?
Industries That Commonly Require Shrouds
Water treatment and wastewater facilities (WIMES specification)
Some fuel handling or petrochemical applications (site-specific rules)
Locations with heavy contamination or splash zones
These decisions typically relate to cleaning, hygiene, or contamination—not electrical performance.
Industries That Commonly Discourage Shrouds
Oil & gas installations
Marine and offshore environments
Power generation
Hazardous area equipment zones
Industrial automation and critical infrastructure
These industries prioritise visibility, inspection depth, sealing clarity, and long-term longevity, and therefore often avoid shrouds due to moisture-retention risks or restricted access.
Engineering Considerations for Modern Glands
Choosing a gland involves evaluating the cable type, environmental factors, required environmental protection, mounting considerations, and system support accessories such as washers and locknuts. CGUK products are designed to match performance expectations across industrial and commercial environments, ensuring installations remain robust without unnecessary coverings.
Because modern glands are engineered for optimal performance under demanding conditions, additional covers rarely offer measurable benefits. Instead, selecting the right gland from our stocked items (https://www.cableglandsuk.com/collections/cable-glands) ensures the installation is secure, reliable, and aligned with industry best practice.
CGUK’s Position on Shroud Usage
CGUK supports the guidance reflected across modern engineering practice:
A shroud is not essential for performance and should only be used when a standard, specification, or site policy requires it.
In most environments, the gland alone provides the required protection, seal, and reliability, delivering the long-term maintenance and operational advantages that modern infrastructure demands.
Where compatibility adjustments are needed, engineers should use engineered accessories—such as CGUK’s thread adaptors and reducers (https://www.cableglandsuk.com/collections/adaptors-reducers)—instead of relying on cosmetic coverings.
Conclusion
Shrouds were once common across electrical installations, but modern engineering has evolved. Today, the use of a shroud is typically optional, ideal only in very specific contamination-controlled conditions, and in certain sectors like water where standards require them. Everywhere else, performance depends on choosing the right gland—not covering it.
CGUK continues to maintain strong stock levels and provides expert guidance to support high-quality installations across all major industries. For assistance selecting the correct products for your environment, contact us at:
https://www.cableglandsuk.com/pages/contact-us
