EMC-cable glands
In critical environments where high-frequency radio interference can occur, the use of shielded cables and conductors in combination with EMC cable glands is of particular importance in addition to many other EMC measures. Electromagnetic and high-frequency interference acting on the cable is captured and dissipated by the shield. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is a fundamental requirement for electrical and electronic systems. Within the European Union, numerous products must comply with the EMC Directive in order to be operated safely and placed on the market. The proper termination of cable and conductor shields to the enclosure potential plays a decisive role.
What Are EMC-Cable Glands?
EMC cable glands or EMC cord grips are special cable entry solutions designed to ensure reliable electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). They establish a low-resistance connection between the cable shield and the enclosure and help dissipate electromagnetic interference. This protects sensitive electronic components and increases the operational reliability of machines and systems.
Why Are EMC-Cable Glands Important?
Modern production facilities, control cabinets, and automation systems generate numerous electromagnetic interference fields. Without proper shielding, these disturbances can impair signal transmission or cause malfunctions. EMC cable glands ensure:
• Secure shield connection
• Protection against electromagnetic interference
• Improved signal quality
• Higher system availability
• Compliance with EMC requirements and standards
How do EMC-cable glands work?
Unlike standard cable glands, EMC versions feature special contact springs or contact surfaces. During installation, they establish direct contact with the cable shield. Interference currents are safely conducted to the enclosure or grounding system, resulting in continuous shielding throughout the entire system.
What Types of EMC-cable glands are there and what are their advantages?
EMC-cable gland with 360° contact area
These cable glands or cord grips provide continuous, low-resistance contact to the cable shield. The shielding is contacted around its entire circumference, allowing electromagnetic interference to be dissipated particularly effectively.
Advantages:
- Very low contact resistance
- Uniform dissipation of inerference currents
- High shielding attenuation
- Especially effective against high-frequency interference
- Greater EMC reliability in demanding applications
- Less susceptible to installation errors
EMC-cable gland with contact spring
EMC cable glands with a contact spring or shield clamp provide a reliable and economical solution for connecting shielded cables. The integrated spring automatically establishes contact with the cable shield and allows quick installation.
Advantages:
- Fast installation
- Shield braid only needs to be removed partially
- High flexibility (can be retrofitted)
- Reliable shiedl termination
- Cost-effective
- Ideal for standard and industrial applications
More than 100 EMC solutions
The Jacob product range contains more than 100 EMC components for introducing shielded cables and conductors. All solutions provide seamless and continuous shield contact and ensure an EMC-compliant, permanently reliable connection to the housing potential.
Overview Jacob EMC-cable glands
| Series / Sizes | with contact spring | with shield clamp | with 360° contact area | Protection grade | Temperature range | Materials |
| PERFECT EMVD metric | M16 - M63 | IP68 | -40/-20 up to +100° C | Brass | ||
| PERFECT EMV metric | M12 - M63 | IP68-5bar / IP69 | -40/-20 up to +100° C | Brass | ||
| PERFECT EMV Pg | Pg 7 - Pg 48 | IP68-5bar / IP69 | -40/-20 up to +100° C | Brass | ||
| PERFECT EMV NPT | NPT 1/4" - 2" | IP68-5bar / IP69 | -40/-20 up to +100° C | Brass | ||
| WADI one metric | M16 - M63 | M12 - M63 | IP66 / IP68 up to 15bar / IP69 | -40 up to +100° C | Brass, Stainless steel | |
| WADI one NPT | NPT 3/8" - 1" | NPT 1/4" - 2" | IP66 / IP68 up to 15bar / IP69 | -40 up to +100° C | Brass | |
| WADI zero metric | M16 - M63 | M12 - M63 | IP66 / IP67 / IP69 | -60 up to +100° C | Brass, Stainless steel | |
| WADI heat metric | M16 - M63 | M12 - M63 | IP66 / IP67 / IP69 | -40 up to +200° C | Brass, Stainless steel |
50.6xx M/EMV
PERFECT EMC-cable gland with
360° contact area
50.6xx M/EMVD
PERFECT EMC-cable gland with
contact spring
EMC-Accessories
Hexagonal locknut with cutting edges,
retrofit springs…
K151-1xxx-zz
WADI one EMC-cable gland with
shield clamp
K153-1xxx-zz
WADI one EMC-cable gland with
contact spring
EMC-Accessories
for Cable Entry Plates
What is important when installing an EMC-cable gland?
For the full EMC protection of a cable gland, the cable shield or cable braid has to be installed correctly without gaps. Typical installation errors to avoid are:
- Incomplete shield contact
- Damage to the cable shield
- Improper grounding
- Use of an inadequate cable gland without EMC funcion
Even minor installation errors can significantly reduce EMC performance.
EMC- or standard cable gland?
A standard cable gland reliably seals the cable and provides strain relief. An EMC cable gland additionally provides shield termination, dissipation of interference currents, and improved electromagnetic compatibility. For shielded cables in industrial environments, an EMC cable gland is therefore the better choice. EMC cable glands are especially designed to ensure reliable electromagnetic compatibility (EMC).
Our PERFECT EMC-cable gland series 50.xxx/EMV have been tested and certified by the VDE according to the VG standard 95373 Part 40 for transfer impedance and shield attenuation. A standard PERFECT cable gland and a reference cable rated up to 30 MHz were used as references on a logarithmic frequency scale.
Can EMC-Cable Glands Be Retrofitted?
In many applications, existing cable glands or cord grips can be replaced without difficulty. For common sizes, it is usually easy to find a suitable replacement for the required cable diameter, thread type, and ingress protection rating. Jacob's WADI EMC cable gland series offers an EMC shield clamp that can be fitted into the standard cable gland.
Which standards and regulations are related to EMC?
EMC Directive 2014/30/EU
The European EMC directive requires electrical equipment not to generate unacceptable electromagnetic disturbances and to be sufficiently immune to external interference.
IEC 61000 / EN 61000
The IEC 61000 and EN 61000 series of standards form the basis for evaluating electromagnetic emissions and immunity. They define test procedures and limit values for a wide variety of industrial applications.
EN 61800-3 for electrical drive systems
High-frequency interference frequently occurs in applications involving frequency converters and servo drives. The EN 61800-3 standard defines EMC requirements for electrical drive systems. In such cases, continuous shielding of the motor and control cables is often an essential part of the EMC design.
EN 55011 and EN 55032
These standards establish limit values for electromagnetic emissions from industrial, scientific, and information technology equipment. A high-quality shield connection helps reduce conducted and radiated emissions.
EN 60204-1
is the most important standard for the electrical equipment of machines. It describes how control cabinets, electrical components, wiring, protective measures, and control systems must be designed so that machines can be operated safely. Of particular interest to manufacturers of EMC cable glands is that the standard also sets requirements for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and for the proper installation of electrical equipment.
Machinery regulation and EMC
The Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 requires that machinery be capable of safe operation throughout its entire life cycle. Electrical and electronic equipment must be designed so that electromagnetic interference does not lead to hazardous situations or malfunctions.
Reliable shielding of cables and a low-impedance connection of the cable shield to the enclosure ground are key components of an EMC-compliant machine design. EMC cable glands enable the shield to be connected, thereby supporting the safe operation of control systems, drives, and communication systems even in interference-prone environments.
Particularly in machines equipped with variable-frequency drives, servo drives, or sensitive automation technology, EMC cable glands help reliably meet the requirements for operational safety, availability, and electromagnetic compatibility.
Application areas for EMC-cable glands
EMC cable glands are used wherever electrical signals must be transmitted without interference:
- Machinery and plant engineering
- Automation technology
- Panel building
- Power engineering
- Railway technology
- Robotics
- Measuring- and control technology
- Telecommunications
