In today’s industry, hazardous area cable glands are crucial in protecting electrical equipment installed in potentially explosive atmospheres. These environments—ranging from oil refineries to chemical plants and food processing facilities—carry a high risk of sparks, arcs, or heat causing ignition. For engineers, contractors, and procurement managers, ensuring that protective systems intended for such conditions are robust, certified, and compliant is not just good practice—it’s a safety requirement.

What Are Hazardous Area Cable Glands?

A cable gland is a small but vital connector that secures cables entering an enclosure, maintaining the integrity of protective systems in hazardous areas. These glands are designed to prevent explosion by stopping gases, dust, and combustible dust particles from reaching ignition sources inside the equipment.

There are various types of glands available, including flameproof (Ex d), increased safety (Ex e), and restricted breathing (Ex nR) models. Products like explosion proof cable glands and ATEX cable glands are tested in accordance with strict standards, including the ATEX Directive in Europe, IECEx certification, and approvals from UL and CSA for the North American market. These ensure products are marked correctly and meet the requirements of hazardous locations worldwide.

Why the Demand Is Rising

• Growth of oil, gas, and petrochemical industries.
• Stricter international regulations requiring glands to meet high safety standards.
• Investment in transmission and power distribution infrastructure.
• Expansion in sectors handling combustible dust such as food, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.

Contractors and engineers are choosing solutions that not only fit their projects but also make it nearly impossible for potential explosions to occur. This drives demand for robust, off-the-shelf products that reduce risk and failure in the field.

What Engineers Look For

• ATEX cable and unarmoured cable compatibility.
• Barrier glands for maximum sealing where ignition risk exists.
• Ex e and flameproof models for compliance.
• Min-max operating temperatures for suitability in specific areas.
• Certification numbers to verify product data.
• Ease of service, ordering, and maintenance for long-term reliability.

Local and Global Supply

In the UK, ATEX cable glands are essential for contractors on tight deadlines. Worldwide, brands such as CMP, Hawke, Peppers, and Prysmian are expanding their range of explosion-proof and increased-safety products to meet rising industrial demands.

At Cable Glands UK, we supply a complete range of hazardous area cable glands and cable gland accessories. All our products are certified, manufactured, and tested to meet the strictest requirements for use in hazardous locations—helping you control risk and maintain compliance.

Need guidance on selection? Our team offers technical support to help you choose the right gland for your application, ensuring your systems meet ATEX, IECEx, UL, and CSA certification standards.