TR Fastenings has partnered with the world-renowned manufacturer of connection technology and electromechanical components, HUMMEL AG to launch a range of cable gland products designed to meet a variety of demanding environmental applications.
An example of such an application is in the use of industrial level sensing equipment. Sensors for level measurement are exposed to specific and often very demanding process and environmental conditions. They must resist liquids or dust and will often come into contact with product residues such as cement, lime or flour. It is imperative these sensors must function consistently and reliably. A failure can have extremely serious consequences.
Manufacturers of level sensing equipment must often cope with these challenges, with sensors being used in highly diverse applications. These challenges naturally also apply to the individual components of the systems. Particular attention is given to such exposed components as cable connections for power supply and data transmission.
An essential feature of a cable gland is the protective seal. This includes protection against powerful water jets (protection class IP 66) or watertightness when submerged (IP 68/10 bar). A particularly important aspect for applications in the process industry is the ability to thoroughly clean down systems, components and parts. HUMMEL cable glands also offer protection against water ingress during high-pressure and steam jet cleaning (IP 69K).
The ability of the HUMMEL glands to offer this high level of ingress protection is achieved through several unique design features of the cable seal and clamping splines. A flexible overlapping feature on the clamping splines prevent the elastomer seal from being dislodged during cable installation. A circumferential form feature on the seal sits precisely in a mating groove on the gland body, thus increasing the ingress protection.
Level sensors are used worldwide in the building materials and cement industries, in metal extraction, offshore in the oil and gas industry and in the recycling industry. It is often best practice to use cable glands that also provide the best possible fire behaviour and are classified with the fire protection class V0 in accordance with UL 94. In addition, there are other important mechanical performance aspects such as vibration protection and impact resistance. For outdoor applications, UV resistance must also be considered.
The range of HUMMEL HSK-K and HSK-M cable glands now available on the TR website, are specifically designed to meet these exacting requirements.
Another very important topic is explosion protection where the equipment is to operate safely in hazardous areas and must carry relevant Ex approvals. In certain industries, such as chemicals, oil and gas, Ex approval is vital. Global suppliers of sensor solutions are required to comply with the standards for Europe (ATEX), America (FM, CSA) and Asia (IEC). HUMMEL AG products meet these standards and offer explosion protection for the types: Ex e – increased safety, Ex d – flameproof enclosure, Ex t – Dust explosion protection.
