Glands Selection Guide
Glands are divided into cable glands, spiral conduit fittings and accessories; the PG versus metric thread difference and the cable or conduit size are decisive when choosing.
This guide explains what to look at when choosing products in the Glands category.
Types of glands
- Cable glands: clamp the cable with their seal and pass it through the housing wall. Here, the polyamide-bodied standard watertight types have PG threads and the Euro-metric watertight types have metric threads; "etanj" means watertight (sealed). Glands with nickel-plated brass and stainless steel bodies, and EMC-type grounding glands for shielded cables, are also in this group.
- Spiral conduit fittings: connect not the cable but the spiral conduit that carries the cable to the device. There are snap-in polyamide types and fixed and rotating brass types; the choice is made according to the outside diameter of the spiral and the thread size on the device.
- Gland accessories: blind plugs that close unused entries, nuts that tighten the gland from behind in an unthreaded hole, seals, O-rings and flat washers. Multi-hole seals allow more than one cable to pass through a single gland.
The difference between metric and PG threads
PG (Panzergewinde) is an older German thread system defined in DIN 40430 with an 80° flank angle. The PG number does not directly give the thread diameter: the outside diameter of a PG 16 thread is 22.5 mm, and that of a PG 21 thread is 28.3 mm. Metric gland threads are according to EN 60423, and the number in the name is the outside diameter: M20x1.5 means a thread with a 20 mm diameter and a 1.5 mm pitch.
PG has largely been replaced by the metric thread; PG glands are still needed because older enclosures, motors and machines have PG-threaded entries. The cable gland standard EN 62444 has replaced EN 50262, which you see in datasheets.
Dual notations such as "PG 21 / M 25" seen in accessory names match the close dimensions of the two systems and are used for unthreaded parts such as seals. For threaded parts (glands, nuts, blind plugs), PG and metric do not fit each other.
What to look at when choosing, in order
- Thread type and size: determined by the threaded entry on the device or the hole to be cut in the enclosure. An unthreaded hole is cut according to the outside diameter of the thread; take the exact hole size from the manufacturer data.
- Clamping range: the outside diameter of the cable must be within the clamping range of the gland. The same thread size is made with different ranges; Ortaç M20x1.5 polyamide glands come in models with 4-10 mm, 6-12 mm and 10-14 mm clamping ranges. Do not estimate the diameter from the cross-section; take it from the cable datasheet or measure it.
- Housing material: polyamide is light and insulating and does not corrode; in the listed models the operating temperature is between -20 °C and +100 °C. A nickel-plated brass housing is chosen where mechanical stress is high, and a stainless steel housing for corrosive environments.
- Thread length: long-thread types are needed for thick-walled housings and installations tightened with a nut from behind. In the Ortaç metric polyamide gland table, the thread length for sizes M12-M25 is given as 8-10 mm in the standard model and 15 mm in the long-thread model.
- Shielded cable: for drive-motor cables and shielded signal cables, the contact element inside an EMC gland grips the shield braid all the way around and connects it to the housing.
What IP 67 and IP 68 mean
According to IEC 60529, the first digit 6 indicates full protection against dust ingress. The second digit 7 means temporary immersion for 30 minutes at depths up to 1 m; 8 means continuous immersion under conditions set by the manufacturer. For this reason, an IP 68 value must be read together with the depth or pressure given by the manufacturer; on Ortaç polyamide metric glands, the value is given as "IP68 5 bar (with O-ring)".
The IP rating of a gland is valid when its seal is fitted, the cable diameter is within the clamping range and the gland is fully seated in the housing; it does not raise the IP rating of the enclosure itself. If unused entries are not closed with blind plugs, the enclosure entry remains open.
Brands in this category
- Ortaç: polyamide watertight glands (standard, Euro-metric, long thread, closed-seal, spiral-end), nickel-plated brass, EMC and stainless steel glands, spiral conduit fittings, blind plugs, nuts and seals.
- Isıso: IPG series polyamide PG glands, snap-in spiral fittings, polyamide blind plugs and nuts.
- Gwest: GW series PG and metric polyamide glands, blind plugs.
- TP Elektrik: IP 68 cable glands with plastic and metal nuts, M25 gland set.
Order notes
The sales unit is the piece. Expressions such as "(125 pcs/kutu)" in Ortaç product names show the quantity per box; check the package information on the product page. Ortaç's nickel-plated brass, EMC, stainless steel and closed-seal glands are listed as made-to-order; for these products the lead time is confirmed at the ordering stage. You can also find the gland you are looking for by stock code.
Cable gland comparison table
| Gland Type | Thread Standard | Body Material | Protection & Application | Product Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metric & PG polyamide cable gland | EN 62444 (M12–M63) / DIN 40430 (PG7–PG48) | Polyamide PA6 / PA66 | IP68 dust/water sealing for automation and distribution enclosures | Plastic Cable Glands |
| Nickel-plated brass cable gland | Metric / PG | Nickel-plated brass (CW614N) | High mechanical strength, heavy industry, and EMC cable shielding | Metal Cable Glands |
| Flexible conduit gland | Metric / PG | Polyamide or brass | Terminating corrugated or metal flexible conduits to enclosures | Conduit Glands |
Frequently asked questions
Can a metric gland be fitted instead of a PG gland?
It cannot be fitted into the same threaded entry. The PG thread has an 80° flank angle and its diameters differ from metric threads; for example, the outside diameter of a PG 16 thread is 22.5 mm, while that of an M20 thread is 20 mm. In an unthreaded, plain enclosure hole, the gland is tightened from behind with a nut, so the system that matches the hole diameter can be chosen. For threaded device entries, use a gland from the same system as the entry.
What are the PG gland sizes in millimeters?
The PG number is not millimeters. According to DIN 40430, the thread outside diameters are as follows: PG 7 12.5 mm, PG 9 15.2 mm, PG 11 18.6 mm, PG 13.5 20.4 mm, PG 16 22.5 mm, PG 21 28.3 mm, PG 29 37 mm, PG 36 47 mm, PG 42 54 mm, PG 48 59.3 mm. Cut the enclosure hole according to this diameter, taking the exact dimension from the gland manufacturer's data.
What cable diameter does an M20 gland fit?
The thread size alone does not determine the cable diameter; different clamping ranges are made for the same thread. For example, Ortaç M20x1.5 polyamide glands come in models with 4-10 mm, 6-12 mm and 10-14 mm clamping ranges. Take the outside diameter of the cable from the datasheet or measure it, then choose the model whose clamping range contains that diameter.
What is the difference between an IP 68 gland and an IP 67 gland?
In both, the first digit is 6, meaning full protection against dust ingress. IP 67 means temporary immersion for 30 minutes at depths up to 1 m; IP 68 means continuous immersion under conditions set by the manufacturer (IEC 60529). Evaluate the IP 68 value together with the depth or pressure information given by the manufacturer; the value is valid when the seal is fitted and the cable diameter is within the clamping range.
When is an EMC gland used?
If the shield of a shielded cable is to be connected to the housing at the enclosure entry, an EMC-type grounding gland is used. The contact element inside the gland grips the shield braid all the way around and connects it to the enclosure through the metal body. Cables between a frequency converter and a motor and shielded signal cables are typical applications. The EMC glands in this category are nickel-plated brass; there are PG and metric threaded models.
Should I choose a polyamide gland or a brass gland?
A polyamide gland is light and insulating and does not corrode; it is used in general-purpose enclosure and junction box entries. In the listed polyamide models the operating temperature is between -20 °C and +100 °C. A nickel-plated brass gland is chosen on machine housings where mechanical stress is high and where a shield connection is required, and a stainless steel gland in corrosive environments.