Alco Cable Gland Tutorial_V3 0

7/30/2019 Alco Cable Gland Tutorial_V3 0

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ALCO Cable Gland Tutorial

Selection and fitment of Hazardous Area

SWA Cable Glands

Phone: 1300 300 747


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Steel Wire Armoured CableConsider the construction of SWA cables, starting at the outside diameter (OD)

There is a PVC or XLPE sheath that covers the entire cable that is required to have anenvironmental seal.

Underneath that covering are protective steel wires that are wrapped around the rest

of the cable build to provide flexible/mechanical protection as well as a current path

.

Underneath the steel wires, there is another protective sheath that also requires an

environmental seal. Under this sheath sometimes finds additional brass tapes or a

nylon jacket.

The balance of the cable build is made up of the insulated conductors which are

electrical terminated to carry the required load. In Hazardous area fitment, the requirement of the gland is not only to provide

tortuous path, earth bonding of the SWA and environmental sealing, But to also

consider seal dimension and characteristics as well as special thread dimensions to

provide managed expansion of air pressure or gas pressure from one environment to

another.


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Gland Selection

It is imperative that the correct cable gland to

suit the fitting environment is selected.

Hazardous Areas must have compliant

See the following page or refer to page 2 of

the Alco catalogue for classifications.

This information is also available online at

www.wattmaster.com.au


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Hazardous Area Gland Classification


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HAW and HAW-B

HAW Hazardous Armoured gland

Termination: HAW Gland Assembly

Termination HAW-B Gland Assembly

In most cases references to explosion proof willpertain to barrier glands.


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Critical Dimensions for Gland selection Overall Diameter (OD)

This is the outside or overall diameter of the cable, wherethe OD seal will fit.

SWA Diameter

This is the individual diameter of the protective steel

wires in the armour. Over Bedding Diameter (OB)

This is the diameter of the insulation, underneath theSWA.

Under Bedding Diameter

This is the diameter underneath the bedding but over thesheath covering the multicores, where the OB seal will fit.


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Critical Dimensions for Gland selection

It is necessary that each cable is check measured

prior to fitment of glands due to manufacturinginconsistencies in the dimensions of cable. It is

-

different than catalogued sizes.

Dimensions from the beginning, middle and end

of a drum can vary as can the diameter from onebatch over many cable drums.


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Critical Dimensions for TerminationIn each case, HAW or HAW-B, there are

dimensions quoted in the relative gland tables

for exposed lengths of SWA and bedding.

Arbitrary or random SWA lengths cause a lot oftrouble at termination, so adherence to the

quoted dimensions is critical.

i.e. If SWA is left too long then there will be

issues trying to fit the sleeve, affecting the

seal on the bedding and OD.


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HAW GLANDSTypically this style of gland not only offers IP68

weather protection but also offers tortuouspath or mechanical securing and earth

.

In addition to the primary function of this gland

is the suitability to Hazardous area fitment.

Flame path threads and seals are different to thenormally used AW gands.


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HAW Gland Table


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HAW Hazardous SWA Establish the suitable HAW Gland for the

termination application.

In the sealed packet there will be 1 seal to suit

.

Also there will be two seals, A and B to suit

a flexible range of OB dimensions for that

gland. Establish the correct seal to use anddiscard the other. Also discard the brass cone

insert as it is not used in this application.


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HAW Assembly


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HAW Gland Assembly1. Pass the Gland nut and OD seal over the end of the cable to be

terminated.

2. Determine the length of the tail, removing the sheath with a cable knife or

Jokari stripper

3. Remove the SWA leaving the required exposed length determined from

the gland instruction sheet (Dimension E).

. ass e s eeve an c amp ng r ng over e an en s e e cone

over the bedding and under the SWA. You may need to pre-bend the SWA

to do this with smaller size cables.

5. Screw the body of the gland into the enclosure by screwing into the

tapped thread for fitment. Ensure the fibre washer provided is used to

retain the IP68 and EX rating. Slide the appropriate inner seal over thebedding and ensure it is butted up to the cone.

6. Slide the cable through the fitted gland body, ensuring that the SWA butts

up against the cone face.


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7. Maintaining pressure, so that the inner seal, cone and armour remain in

place, slide the clamping ring, and sleeve against the SWA and tighten.

8. Slide the OD seal into the fitted gland assembly. Apply a small amount of

cable pulling lubricant onto the exposed surface of the OD seal to allow

for easy assembly when the gland nut is now pushed up to meet the

threads of the gland assembly.

. g ten t e g an nut as per spec cat ons supp e .

These instructions are also printed in the Alco Gland Catalogue and are

also available on the website;



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HAW To B or not to BBarrier glands are typically used in applications where

standard glands featuring elastomeric seals are

insufficient. Barrier glands are similar to standard

hazardous area cable glands, except an epoxy

used to seal around the individual cores and the

gland. This is done to ensure the inside and outside

of the cable remain liquid tight.

Furthermore, the following questions need to be

answered to establish whether a barrier gland is

required.


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Is the cable round, compact and effectively filled?

Yes-> move to next question No-> barrier gland is required

Does the enclosure have an internal source of ignition?

Yes-> move to next question No-> standard gland may be used

Does the hazardous gas require IIC apparatus?

Yes-> barrier gland should be used No-> standard to next question

Is the installation area zone 1?

Yes-> move to next question No-> standard gland may be used

Is the volume of the enclosure greater than 2 litres?

Yes-> barrier gland should be used

No-> standard gland may be used


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HAW-B GLANDSIn addition the primary function of this gland

and its suitability to Hazardous area fitment,

application of epoxy putty can be applied

between the cores of a multicore cable

to ensure the integrity of the flame path.

This is important where in cable construction,

the inner cores do not allow for symmetricalor regular diameters for ordinary seals to fit

well.


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HAW-B Gland Table


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HAW B Hazardous SWA BARRIER Establish the suitable HAW-B Gland for the

termination application. In the sealed packet there will be 1 seal to suit

.

Pay particular attention to the dimension

Under bedding, that is over the multicores.

Discard the OB seals as the brass cone insertis used in this application.


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HAWB ASSEMBLY


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HAW-B Gland Assembly1. Pass the Gland nut and OD seal over the end of the cable to beterminated.

2. Determine the length of the tail, removing the sheath with a cable knife

or Jokari stripper

3. Remove the SWA leaving the required exposed length Dimension E

determined from the gland instruction sheet.

. r m e e ng so a e expose eng eyon e equa o

dimension G determined from the gland instruction sheet.

5. Spread the exposed cores of the cable and remove any fillers or tapes

without damaging the insulation on the conductors.

6. Pass the sleeve and clamping ring over the SWA and then slide the cone

over the bedding and under the SWA. You may need to pre-bend the

SWA to do this with smaller size cables.

7. Screw the body of the gland into the enclosure by screwing into the

tapped thread for fitment or by use of a locknut. Ensure the fibre washer

provided is used to retain the IP68 and EX rating.


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8. The epoxy filling compound is a two part product that must be thoroughly

mixed so that it has an even colour. Where larger glands are supplied withmultiple packets of compound, mix each pack separately and then apply

collectively whilst all fill is pliable in one application. The compound has a

working life of around 40 minutes at ambient temperatures of 25 degrees.

Use of the supplied disposable gloves is not essential however, is

recommended for those with sensitive skin or where prolonged exposure isanticipated. Mix the epoxy compound.

9. Pack the compound between the exposed cores starting at the centre and

working outwards, for the length of cable equal to the length of the supplied

.

outwards, the cable cores return to their original position and all are fullycoated with the compound. Additionally ensure there is sufficient compound

to completely fill the bell shaped end of the brass insert.

10. Slide the insert over the epoxy filled cores, removing excess compound as

required, until the brass insert mates onto the cone.

11. Slide the cable through the fitted gland body, ensuring that the brass insertremains mated with the cone and that the SWA butts up against the cone

face.


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12. Slide the clamping ring and sleeve onto the SWA. Tighten the sleevewhilst ensuring that the SWA is not allowed to slip back from the cone

face or that the brass insert does not part from the cone during this

tightening process.

13. Slide the OD seal into the fitted gland assembly. Apply a small amount of

cable pulling lubricant onto the exposed surface of the OD seal to allow

for easy assembly when the gland nut is now pushed up to meet the

threads of the gland assembly.

14. Tighten gland nut as per specifications supplied.

15. Leave the assembled gland for three hours to allow for the epoxy

compound to cure. After curing, the gland may be disassembled for

inspection or maintenance.

These instructions are also printed in the Alco Gland Catalogue and are

also available on the website;



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ALCO Cable Gland Tutorial

Thankyou!

For your attention

Phone: 1300 300 747

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