Introduction
A question often posed by electricians, engineers, and apprentices when installing a cable gland is: “Do I need a special tool for this?”
Ensuring the correct installation of the cable gland is equally as important as choosing the right product. Using the correct spanner or tool may seem trivial, but it ensures safety, compliance, and long-term reliability.
The role of tools in cable gland installation
Cable glands are precision-engineered components. When tightened, they create a seal that keeps out dust, water, and gas and, in certain instances, provides electrical continuity through armour bonding. Over-tightening, under-tightening, or damage to the seal with an inappropriate tool is likely to lead to safety compromises.
For example:
- Under-tightening → poor sealing, moisture or dust intrusion.
- Over-tightening → damaged seals, threads stripped or broken parts.
- The incorrect tools → uneven tightening, which can result in non-compliance in hazardous areas.
Tools commonly employed to fit cable glands
Spanners
Most Peppers’ cable glands are designed and made for open-ended or adjustable spanners. It is essential to be precise with the sizing – the spanner should precisely fit the gland’s flats to prevent damage.
Torque wrenches
Torque control is often required for hazardous area cable glands, where specified by the manufacturer, such as ATEX or IECEx certified glands. A calibrated torque wrench ensures glands are tightened to manufacturer-recommended values, retaining certification and safety.
Screwdrivers / Allen keys
Some gland accessories – such as earth tags or sealing washers – may require extra tools to install. Always consult the manufacturer’s installation guide.
Do I need a special tool for armoured and unarmoured cable glands?
Marine and hazardous area applications
Installation quality must be non-negotiable in environments like offshore platforms or in hazardous area cable glands. The use of calibrated tools and torque wrenches is best practice. Inadequate tightening in such environments can result in full safety failure or regulatory non-compliance.
Cable gland installation tool best practice
Always check the installation instructions included with the gland.
- Use the correct spanner size to avoid slipping or rounding.
- For ATEX and IECEx glands, use a torque wrench wherever necessary.
- Keep tools clean and in good condition.
- Never substitute with makeshift tools; this can lead to unsafe installations.
So, do you need a specific spanner or tool to fit a cable gland? The answer is ‘absolutely’. The correct fit will rely upon the use of the right tools, whether that is a generic spanner for everyday fittings or a torque wrench for ATEX Ex cable glands in hazardous areas.
By following best practices and using the tools recommended by Peppers Cable Glands, you not only protect your equipment but also ensure compliance, safety, and reliability.
Why choose Peppers Cable Glands?
With over 75 years of expertise, Peppers Cable Glands provide solutions that go beyond compliance. Our glands are designed for industrial, marine, and hazardous area applications, and are independently certified to global standards including ATEX, IECEx, and UL.
- By choosing branded products like Peppers Ex Glands, you ensure:
- Proven performance in safety-critical installations.
- Full traceability and certification.
- Global support and training.
While a cable gland may feel like a small component, it plays a critical role in the success of the project it supports. From industrial cable glands on factory floors to explosion-proof glands in oil and gas installations, these fittings ensure safety, compliance, and reliability.
Crucially, without the correct Peppers Cable Gland, your installation risks non-compliance, reduced safety, and costly downtime. Choosing the right gland, and installing it correctly, is the difference between a system that lasts and one that fails when it matters most.
Please contact us to schedule a meeting:
- Phone: +44 1276 64232
- Website: cableglands.co.uk
