Seal

ingc
abl
esi
nex
plos
iveat
mos
phe
res
 What issues exist with Barrier Gland installations?
Traditional barrier type cable glands employing
epoxy/clay based sealing compound have been used
in hazardous areas for many years to provide effective
explosion protection.
The barrier material is a two part formula that needs
to be mixed thoroughly on site at each cable end
before application. This is not only time consuming
but requires extreme diligence. However a certain
degree of risk is associated with this traditional
installation process and this risk increases with the
number of conductors in multi-core cables.
The standard technique involves the “packing” of
the sealing compound between and around the
individual cable conductors which is required to form
a complete seal, and then leaving the assembled
cable gland to cure, without disturbance, for several
hours before connecting the cable to the equipment.
Failure to correctly perform the mix and / or application
of the compound, or premature disturbance of the
conductors may lead to critical failure of the barrier
seal, or extensive rework being required, assuming that Examining the surface of the cured compound
such an error can be detected. externally is no guarantee of the overall integrity of
the barrier seal.
One of the major challenges with the packing of
compound is avoiding channels, voids or air gaps. Regardless of which brand of barrier gland is
‘Channels’ in the barrier (caused by movement of the selected, the difficulty of ensuring the integrity of the
cores) are easy to identify but voids within the barrier barrier seal is one of the key reasons why many clients 2
are almost impossible to detect especially when multi remain sceptical over the reliability of the epoxy/clay
conductor instrument and control cables are installed. based material.

Is there a more reliable solution ?

Considering the high volume of multi conductor If risks can be reduced significantly by using a solution
control cables and multi-pair instrument cables that is easier to work with and more likely to be right
installed in hazardous areas there needs to be a at the first time of asking, then this option should
better solution that delivers more reliability to the be pursued vigorously in the interests of enhanced
installation, and gives the user more confidence in the safety.
method of application.

Examples of typical multi-core cables

www.cmp-products.com

CMP RapidEx 12pp Jan 13.indd 3 15/01/2013 16:12

 CMP PRODUCTS CABLE GLANDS AND CONNECTOR SPECIALISTS -
GLOBAL PRODUCTS fOR GLOBAL APPLICATIONS

Easy application 100

Epoxy/Clay Based
This comparison shows the time 80 Compound

(Time in minutes)
required to mix and apply barrier
materials on a range of multi conductor 60
cables, using either Clay Based Epoxy
Compound or RapidEx Liquid Pour 40
Resin. This outlines the fact that the
application of the RapidEx liquid pour 20
resin is easier than traditional methods.
0
30 60 90 120 150
(No of Conductors)

faster curing
One of the many advantages of using the RapidEx This means that not only is the installation inherently
liquid pour resin is the time saved in the completion of more reliable, but an installation cost saving can also
the cable installation, due to the fast curing formula. be made.

Cures more than 15 times faster

than traditional epoxy/clay
based compound at 40ºC.
40
Temperature (°C)
5 35 40ºC
Epoxy/Clay
30 Based
In higher temperatures
Compound curing times are vastly
25 reduced using RapidEx.
At 40ºC this can be
as little as 15 minutes
compared to over 3
20 hours for traditional
Time 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 epoxy/clay based
(hours)
compounds.

Cures more than 18 times faster

than traditional epoxy/clay
based compound at 20ºC.
20
Temperature (°C)
20ºC
15 Epoxy/Clay
Based
Traditional epoxy/clay
Compound based compounds
10
can take more than
9 hours to cure in
temperatures below
20ºC. Using RapidEx
5 this can be reduced
Time 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 to as little as 30
(hours)
minutes.

www.cmp-products.com

CMP RapidEx 12pp Jan 13.indd 6 15/01/2013 16:12

Curesmorethan18ti
mesfas
tert
han
tr
aditi
onal
epoxy/c
laybas
ed
compoundat20°C

Curesmorethan15ti
mesfas
tert
han
tr
aditi
onal
epoxy/c
laybas
ed
compoundat40°C
 CMP PRODUCTS CABLE GLANDS AND CONNECTOR SPECIALISTS -
GLOBAL PRODUCTS fOR GLOBAL APPLICATIONS

Do all Barrier Glands provide the same function?

In theory the principal of a barrier gland is the same Today the concept of an internal flameproof joint has
for all comparable products, in that the equipment been abandoned by some product designs in favour of a
form of protection is common (e.g. Ex d), given ‘stopper box’ that relies on a completely different principal.
that the certification standards used are identical. With NO flameproof path incorporated into the internal
However in practice not all barrier glands achieve the joint, there is a greater emphasis on the installer to create
form of protection in the same subtle manner, even if a gap free, air tight joint, not only during installation,
the certification appears to have similarities. but following subsequent inspection and maintenance
procedures. These requirements can potentially be more
When barrier glands first came on the market it was onerous than the conventional task of the installation itself.
quickly identified that they needed to have an internal
flameproof joint in order to allow the cable to be This change in product to a ‘stopper box’ could lead
easily disconnected from the equipment. This part of to misinterpretation of the protection concept and
the explosion protection concept is clearly understood all persons responsible for selection and specification
by engineering professionals around the world who are well advised to thoroughly review these products
are involved in hazardous area decision making. technically and evaluate what risks may exist.

flameproof Type ‘d’ (Ex d) & Class I Div. 1 / Div. 2 Barrier Gland
flameproof Joint
Metallic Barrier Tube

flame Path

flame Path Note: All CMP Barrier Glands are designed and
PX2KX-REX certified with a flameproof labyrinth joint, suitable
for IEC & CEC / NEC installations.

Inspection requirements
As is the case with all cable glands intended for use When periodic detailed inspections are carried out on
in hazardous areas, barrier glands will be subjected to Flameproof (Ex d) equipment, part of the inspection
inspection from time to time. Inspection requirements requirement is to check that the flange dimensions
may vary from site to site, or territory to territory, of flanged joint gaps are within maximum values
but the basis for inspection is usually determined permitted by IEC 60079-1. It is also necessary to
by standards or client policy and procedures. In IEC check that joint surfaces are clean and undamaged.
60079-17 “Electrical installations, inspection and
maintenance” three grades of inspection exist, which This inspection standard also requires that stopping
are detailed as follows :- boxes and filling boxes are checked to ensure they are
correctly filled. It would normally be possible to check
V - Visual Inspection (External visual examination), that a cable sealing box or stopper box was correctly
filled via a dedicated port that was provided with
C - Close Inspection (Removal of shroud, if applicable, a removable flameproof plug. The existence of this
for external visual examination), “stopper plug” catered for subsequent inspections.
D - Detailed Inspection (Opening / Disassembly of When it comes to barrier glands there are no
cable gland for internal examination). specific checks that can be easily enacted on site
that guarantees a compound barrier gland is filled
correctly. The RapidEx liquid pour solution provided
by CMP eliminates this risk and delivers a more
reliable installation.

www.cmp-products.com

CMP RapidEx 12pp Jan 13.indd 8 15/01/2013 16:12

Cl
assIDi
v1a
nd2, Gr
oupsA,
B,CandD;Cl
assI
I
,Div1and2E
,Fa
ndG;
Cla
ssI
I
I,Di
v1a
nd2E
ncl
.Ty
pe4X.
ExdII
C;E
xeI
I:Cl
assI
,ZoneI
,AExdII
C;AE
xeII;
AExtaII
C
 CMP PRODUCTS CABLE GLANDS AND CONNECTOR SPECIALISTS -
GLOBAL PRODUCTS fOR GLOBAL APPLICATIONS

Selection process
The need for barrier glands to be used in a given selection process is concerned, as a barrier gland may
situation depends upon several factors, as stated in the automatically be required.
prevailing installation standards, e.g. IEC 60079-14,
which of course will be subject to change from time Note † : IEC based standards, such as IEC 60079-14
to time. Taking into account a diverse range of generally require that cables used in hazardous areas
variables, such as equipment configuration, location, are substantially compact and circular with extruded
gas group etc, the one over-riding constant factor bedding and fillers, if present, which are
that must be considered in the selection process for non-hygroscopic. The implied intention of this
hazardous area cable glands is the cable. When this requirement relates to the cable inner bedding or the
has been properly assessed to ensure that it meets part of the cable that enters the electrical enclosure.
the essential criteria laid down (†), the other variables The National Electric Code (NEC) requires that cables
may pale into lesser significance, as far as this are ‘HL’ listed for Hazardous Locations.

IEC Installations Requirements :

Here are the general requirements for selection of cable glands for flameproof Type ‘d’
(Ex d) enclosures according to IEC based standards :-
Cables sheathed with thermoplastic, thermosetting, non-hygroscopic. Having satisfied this requirement
or elastomeric material shall be circular, compact, engineers may follow the process below.
have extruded bedding and fillers, if any, shall be

Selection of Cable Glands:

flameproof Type d enclosures

Use a
Does this
9 enclosure
suitable
NO flameproof
contain an
cable entry
internal
device with a
source of
sealing ring eg.
ignition
CMP T3CDS

YES NO NO

Does the NO YES Is the volume

Is the area
hazardous gas of the enclosure
of installation
require IIC greater than
zone 1
apparatus 2 dm3

YES
YES
This condition
requires a
barrier cable
gland eg. CMP
PX2K-REX

www.cmp-products.com

CMP RapidEx 12pp Jan 13.indd 10 15/01/2013 16:12

 CEC / NEC Installations Requirements
Here are the general requirements for selection of cable glands for hazardous locations :-
These codes require that any cable for use in a Hazardous Location must firstly be permitted for use in that
location, and secondly be tested and approved or listed for the application. Consequently cable glands intended
for use in Hazardous Locations, must also be tested and approved or listed for use in a specified location, in
conjunction with a specified and approved or listed cable type.

Cable Wiring Methods Cable Wiring Methods - Class I, Division 2

The use of flexible cables in North America has
& zone 2
provided industry with a wide choice of wiring Complete lists of suitable cable types for use in
methods. However, there are differences between hazardous areas can be found by consulting the
the NEC and CEC for cables suitable for use in current NEC and CEC handbooks. Additional
Hazardous areas and extreme care should be taken information for common cable types approved for
during the selection process. i.e. A cable type may offshore installations can be found by consulting
be acceptable for use in Class I Division 1 in Canada, section 43 of IEEE Standard 45 and API RPI 14F & 14FZ.
but not in the USA.
As a general rule, cables permitted and listed for
It is essential that the wiring method chosen is use in Class I Division 1 and Zone 1, and listed non-
permitted for use within the area classification for the armored cables can be used in Class I Division 2 and
relevant code being utilized. Zone 2 hazardous locations. eg. Type TC (Tray Cable),
Interlocked Armor cables
Cable Wiring Methods - Class I,
Division 1 & zone 1 Cable Seals, Class I Division 2 & zone 2
Complete lists of suitable cable types for use in Where cables enter Class I Division 2 enclosures,
hazardous areas can be found by consulting the the cable must be sealed if the enclosure contains
current NEC and CEC handbooks. Additional any arcing or sparking devices or if the enclosure
information for common cable types approved for is explosion proof. In such cases a sealing fitting or
offshore installations can be found by consulting Barrier gland to UL 2225 or CSA 22.2, Class I Division
section 43 of IEEE Standard 45 and API RPI 14F & 14FZ. 1 or Division 2 must be used. Where the enclosure 10
does not contain any arcing or sparking devices and
As a general rule, cables for use in Class I Division 1 the enclosure is NOT explosion proof, a cable is not
and Zone 1 areas must be mechanically protected by required to be sealed at the point of entry. In such
armor. e.g. MC-HL and Wire Braid Armor (offshore) cases a listed cable gland or cable connector without
cables. In Canada, Interlocked armor can be also be compound sealing function may be used. e.g. TC,
used. e.g. Teck 90. TMC2, T3CDS or C2KX cable connectors. Similarly for
Class I Zone 1 & Zone 2 AEx e enclosures (Increased
Cable Seals, Class I Division 1 & zone 1 Safety), a non sealing fitting approved for use in this
Where cables enter Class I Division 1 or Zone 1 AEx application can be used. e.g. TC, TMC2, T3CDS or
d enclosures, the cable must be sealed at the point C2KX cable glands.
of entry with an approved device to UL 2225 or
Note: Non ‘Sealing’ type glands are restricted to
CSA 22.2, Class I Division 1 or Zone 1 AEx d, where
Division 2 & Zone 2 equipment that does not contain
applicable. The sealing fitting or ‘Barrier’ gland must
an ignition source or to Zone 1 AEx e equipment. If the
prevent the passage of gas or vapours through the
enclosure is required to be explosion proof under NEC
gland by providing a compound barrier seal around
conditions an approved barrier seal must be used.
each individual insulated conductor. e.g. CMP TMC2X
or PX2KX-REX cable connectors. Selection
Is the of Cable
NEC 2011 enclosure Glands:
Article 501.15 (E) (1) Terminations. Cables entering required to Class 1 Div
enclosures that are required to be explosion proof be explosion 1 or Div 2.
shall be sealed at the point of entrance. The seal shall proof zone 1 or
comply with 501.15(B)(1). zone 2
NEC 2011 YES NO
Article 505.16 (C) (2) Cable Seals. (a) Explosion
proof and Flameproof Enclosures. Cables entering Explosion Certified cable
enclosures required to be flameproof or explosion proof barrier glands according
gland according to CSA 22.2, UL 514B,
proof shall be sealed at the point of entrance. The UL 886, UL 2225, or
seal shall comply with 505.16(D). to UL 2225 / UL 2279, UL 60079-0,
Barrier Glands UL 60079-1,
according to UL 60079-7,
UL 60079-1 UL60079-15

www.cmp-products.com

CMP RapidEx 12pp Jan 13.indd 11 15/01/2013 16:12

I
SSUE3