Cable connectors
PG glands / cable glands
What is a PG gland?
The PG cable gland is a cable gland with a Armoured thread (PG). According to DIN EN 62444, these are only permitted in new installations in exceptional cases. However, they are still available from PG 7 to PG 48 for existing installations. PG cable glands seal up the wires and protect the installation with a strain relief. The cable gland is used for a tight cable entry in control cabinets, electrical equipment, connectors, junction boxes and in many applications in specialist sectors
The PG glands are now being replaced by cable glands with a metric thread. Ten old PG sizes have currently been replaced by eight new metric sizes. A one-to-one correlation is not possible. Different manufacturers and the different types of connector also have different clamping ranges. The table below can give you an idea of the conversion.
Structure of a PG cable gland
The exploded diagram provides a very good idea of the structure of a PG cable gland. The cable is routed and then the cable gland is tightened. That’s it!
Which connector for which cable?
It depends on the outer diameter of your cable. You can easily check which PG gland size you can use for which cable in the table below. The clamping range will show you the cable diameter up to which the PG cable gland can be used.
Overview of the PG threads
| Thread identifier | Clamping range | Outer diameter in mm | Pitch in mm | Conversion to metric size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PG 7 | 2 - 6.5 mm | 12.5 | 1.27 | M12 x 1.5 |
| PG 9 | 4 - 8 mm | 15.2 | 1.41 | M16 x 1.5 |
| PG 11 | 4 - 10 mm | 18.6 | 1.41 | M20 x 1.5 |
| PG 13.5 | 5 - 12 mm | 20.4 | 1.41 | M25 x 1.5 |
| PG 16 | 8 - 14 mm | 22.5 | 1.41 | M25 x 1.5 |
| PG 21 | 11 - 18 mm | 28.3 | 1.59 | M32 x 1.5 |
| PG 29 | 16 - 25 mm | 37 | 1.59 | M40 x 1.5 |
| PG 36 | 19 - 32 mm | 47 | 1.59 | M50 x 1.5 |
| PG 42 | 28 - 38 mm | 54 | 1.59 | M63 x 1.5 |
| PG 48 | 34 - 44 mm | 59.3 | 1.59 | M63 x 1.5 |
PG threads according to DIN 40430
Determination of the nominal size:
the connector that you need on the spot can be determined on the basis of the outer diameter. However, this can vary slightly for production reasons.
Properties of PG glands
The PG gland with a Panzergewinde thread is available in plastic and nickel-plated brass. In accordance with its IP protection, the connector is water-tight and suitable for installation in a rather harsh environment. It can be used within a temperature range from -25° C to + 100° C and in some cases from -40° C to +100° C. It provides a high degree of functional reliability and has an optimal strain relief for protecting the installed cables from being pulled out of the connector or from coming loose on their own. The extremely variable clamping range allows different cable thicknesses to be inserted. It also features a high impact resistance.
The threads in sizes PG 7, PG11, PG13, PG16, PG21, PG 29, PG 36 and PG 48 are relatively thin-walled and therefore have a low thread depth. The PG cable gland has the protection class IP68 and is both silicone- and halogen-free. Always depending on the material used. A PG plastic gland is available in light grey, silver grey and black. Therefore, it is perfect for industrial applications
Accessories for PG cable glands
There is a comprehensive range of accessories to go with the PG cable glands:
- Multiple seals with 2 to 6 holes with different diameters
- Sealing plugs
- Cuttable rubber sealing rings for a flexible adjustment of the size
- O rings
- Compression screws
- Thrust washers
- Locking nuts
Locking nuts for PG cable glands:
Locking nuts made of plastic are glass fibre reinforced in order to guarantee mechanical stability. They are available in the well-known RAL colours: RAL 7001 silver grey, RAL 7035 light grey and RAL 9005 black. The version in black is UV-resistant. As a metal standard, the locking nuts are offered in nickel-plated brass. The EMC locking nut is an anomaly. It is made of brass and is nickel-plated, but has claws for reaming insulated surfaces. It can be used to achieve contact between the control cabinet and the EMC connector, for example.
Frequently asked questions about PG glands
Which PG gland for which cable?
You can find out in the table above. For this, you need your cable’s outer diameter. If you have this, you can determine the right size on the basis of the clamping range of the cable gland.
Tip: Do not choose too small a connector. If your cable has an outer diameter of 10 mm, for example, go for a PG13.5 gland instead of a PG11.
Which PG gland is required for a 3 x 1.5 cable?
The right PG gland for a 3 x 1.5 mm² cable can be determined with the help of the table above. This depends on the outer diameter of the cable. If the cable has an outer diameter of 8.2 mm, the PG11 or PG 13.5 gland would be used.
What is a PG thread?
PG stands for Panzergewinde.