Ex e Cable Gland Selection — IP Washers and Accessories
Cable gland selection for Ex e increased safety equipment differs significantly from Ex d. The key focus is maintaining the IP rating of the enclosure and ensuring effective armour continuity and earthing. There are no barrier gland requirements for Ex e.
Ex e Gland Selection — By Entry Type and Body Material
| Entry | Body Material | Gland | External Accessories | Internal Accessories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threaded | Metal + continuity plate | Non-barrier | Nylon IP washer | Serrated washer + locknut |
| Threaded | Polyester — no continuity plate | Non-barrier | Nylon IP washer | Banjo earth tag + 6mm² links between tags |
| Clearance | Metal + continuity plate | Non-barrier | IP washer + serrated washer + locknut | Serrated washer + locknut |
| Clearance | Polyester | Non-barrier | IP washer + serrated washer + locknut | Banjo earth tag + 6mm² links |
Why a Nylon IP Washer?
The nylon IP washer fills the gap between the gland body and the enclosure entry flange to maintain the IP rating of the enclosure. Without it, the gap around the threaded entry can allow water or dust ingress. The washer must be nylon (insulating) to avoid creating a short circuit between the gland body and the enclosure.
Ex d threaded entries must NOT have IP washers or external locknuts — these would interfere with the thread flamepath. Ex e threaded entries MUST have a nylon IP washer. Keep these rules clearly separate. Fitting an IP washer to an Ex d gland is technically wrong (though unlikely to be immediately dangerous); not fitting an IP washer to an Ex e gland is a Category A deficiency.
Polyester Enclosures — Earthing
Polyester enclosures have no metallic continuity between cable entries. Each SWA cable gland must have a banjo earth tag fitted internally, and 6mm² insulated green/yellow earth links must connect all tags together and to a separate earth terminal in the enclosure. This ensures armour continuity and equipment earthing despite the non-conductive enclosure body.
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