Caravan Solutions β€Ί 12V Electrical

Cable Gland Guide for Campervans, Caravans and Motorhomes

A complete guide to cable glands for campervans, caravans and motorhomes, covering their structure, types, configurations and the features that matter when choosing one.

Are you still using sealant to seal cable entry holes on your campervan's roof? This approach creates an unsightly mess and complicates cable replacement during repairs or upgrades. A dedicated cable gland offers a cleaner, more efficient solution, allowing cables to pass from the exterior to the interior while maintaining a robust seal against environmental elements like moisture, water and dirt.

Cable glands with IP68-rated dust- and water-tight enclosures protect your campervan from all environmental elements, and a durable, UV-resistant material ensures long-lasting performance. The effectiveness of the seal on cable glands depends on the design, particularly the ingress protection (IP) rating.

In this guide, we explore the structure, types, configurations and benefits of cable glands for campervans, caravans and motorhomes, highlighting the standout features of our premium collection compared to other options.

What Is a Cable Gland Made Of?

Cable glands for campervans, caravans and motorhomes vary by brand and design. Our current inventory features high-quality models with the following components:

  • Gasket: A foam or rubber layer that sits between the cable gland and the vehicle's surface (e.g., roof or wall), protecting the paint or surface from damage by the base.
  • Base: The component with one or more entry holes for routing data or electrical cables from outside to inside the vehicle. It usually features a high-impact plastic or aluminium build and may include pre-drilled mounting holes.
  • Bung(s): Rubber stopper(s) that seal the cable entry hole(s) in the base to prevent moisture, water and dust ingress. Bungs come in various shapes (e.g., circular or rectangular) and may be blank or pre-drilled for cables.
  • Top Cover: An outer shell that secures over the base, fully enclosing the cable entry to protect against environmental elements. It is typically made of aluminium or high-impact plastic.

What Are Cable Glands Used For on a Caravan or Motorhome?

Basically, the purpose of cable glands is to route data and power cables through pre-cut holes in the roof or walls of your campervan or motorhome. Common applications include when feeding:

  • Solar cables: For connecting photovoltaic (PV) panels to the MPPT charge controller inside the camper.
  • Starlink cables: For linking the Starlink dish to a DC adapter or conversion hub inside the van.
  • Outdoor lighting cables: For routing power to external lights from the DC fuse panel or battery busbar.
  • Air conditioner cables: For connecting air conditioning units to the inverter or AC distribution box.
  • Satellite TV cables: For connecting a satellite antenna to the control box unit of the TV.
  • Cellular antenna cables: For linking a signal antenna to the booster unit inside.

Vertical vs Horizontal Cable Glands: Which Type Do You Need?

Cable glands for adventure vehicles are divided into two main types: vertical and horizontal. The primary difference lies in how cables approach and enter the vehicle's surface.

Vertical Cable Glands

Simply, vertical cable glands are types that allow you to run and feed the cables into the entry holes perpendicularly to the surface of your camper. They are designed for an upright cabling style, particularly where the cable entry hole is on the roof of the vehicle.

Two perfect examples of vertical cable glands are:

Horizontal Cable Glands

On the other hand, horizontal cable glands allow you to run and feed cables into the entry holes parallel to the surface of your adventure vehicle. They are typically designed for a side-entry cabling style, applicable to a cable entry hole on either the roof or wall of the camper.

Examples of horizontal cable glands to consider are:

Note: While vertical and horizontal cable glands can be used interchangeably, the process may require bending cables. However, bending cables beyond the manufacturer's recommended radius can damage them and compromise performance or safety.

Single, Double and Multi Cable Gland Configurations

Cable glands come in different configurations based on the number of cables they can accommodate. The three main configurations are:

  • Single Cable Gland: Features a compact design with one entry for a single cable, available in vertical or horizontal styles. It typically includes a pre-drilled bung for a specific cable thickness, though some models provide multiple bungs with varying hole sizes.
  • Double Cable Gland: Offers dual entries for two cables, primarily in horizontal styles. It includes pre-drilled bungs, often in sets with different hole sizes to accommodate various cable thicknesses.
  • Multiple Cable Gland: Designed with a wide, slotted entry to support more than two cables in either vertical or horizontal styles. It typically includes a customisable (blank) bung that you can drill your preferred cable entry holes into.

Why Use a Cable Gland Instead of Sealant? 5 Key Benefits

Cable glands have revolutionised the way we route data and power cables from the exterior to the interior of campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Unlike traditional messy sealants, cable glands offer a clean, reliable and professional solution. Below are the five main benefits:

Environmental Protection

The primary benefit of cable glands for campervans and motorhomes is providing a tight seal around the cable entries. This prevents external elements β€” such as water, dust, dirt and debris β€” from entering your camper's interior, which could make the living space uncomfortable or cause electrical issues like short circuits.

Enhanced Strain Relief

When assembled properly, these cable glands grip the cables firmly at the entry points. This prevents movement when the cables are pulled, pushed or twisted, thereby avoiding accidental disconnections and damage to the conductors.

Improved Cable Safety

When the cable glands securely grip your connection cables, they also mitigate the risk of electrical faults, such as short circuits, voltage drops and overheating. This ensures smooth operation while preventing damage to the cable insulation and reducing the risk of electrical fires.

Elegant Appearance

As you may have noticed, our cable gland collection features a sleek, modern design. This not only provides a clean pass-through for cables into your camper but also results in professional-looking wiring.

Future-Proof Cable Entry

Some cable glands for campervans and motorhomes use screws for installation over your cable entry hole. Thus, you can easily remove and reinstall them when you need to replace damaged cables or upgrade old ones.

What to Look For in a Waterproof Cable Gland

You will come across different types of cable glands, each with varying designs and features. The six most crucial features to consider when buying one include:

Heavy-Duty, Durable Construction

Choose cable glands with a well-made structure that don't wear out quickly. Specifically, consider glands made of a metallic housing or heavy-duty plastic (if your budget is an issue).

Takeaway: Our cable glands are made of marine-grade aluminium or high-impact plastic, designed to withstand harsh outdoor conditions, including UV radiation, high temperatures and falling hail.

Weatherproof IP68 Protection

Opt for cable glands with a high ingress protection (IP) rating to ensure maximum sealing against environmental elements.

Takeaway: Our cable glands are IP68-rated, offering superior protection against dust and water, even when submerged up to 3 metres.

Compatibility with Various Cable Sizes

The cable glands you get must accommodate your specific cable diameters to maintain their IP rating and ensure a secure fit.

Takeaway: We offer a wide range of cable glands, designed for varying cable diameters. Some examples include:

Available for Different Cabling Styles

As mentioned earlier, cable glands are available with either straight-up (vertical) or side-entry (horizontal) configurations. The ones you choose should match the direction of your cables to avoid sharp bends that could damage the conductors, compromise performance or lead to electrical faults.

Takeaway: Our collection includes both horizontal and vertical types, so you can select exactly what your wiring project requires.

Available in Various Configurations

As we also noted earlier, cable glands can accommodate one, two, three or more cables at their entry point while maintaining a watertight seal. Select a cable gland that can handle all your cables without overcrowding or compromising ingress protection.

Takeaway: At Campervan Builders, we offer cable glands in multiple configurations to suit your needs.

Available in Different Shapes and Sizes

Cable glands come in various designs (circular, trapezoidal or rectangular) and sizes. Choose a gland that fully covers the cable entry hole on your campervan and fits the available space. For example, a large trapezoidal gland may not be suitable if your camper only accommodates a small circular footprint.

Takeaway: Our collection includes a range of shapes and sizes for diverse applications. Below is a breakdown of the shapes and dimensions for the options we listed above.

Cable Gland Supported Cables Design Shape Dimensions (W x L x H)
DS-HD6 Double Horizontal Cable Seal Gland 2 Trapezoidal 54 x 63 x 24 mm
DS-H-Multi-BLK Horizontal Cable Seal Gland 4 or more Trapezoidal 97.5 x 114.4 x 35.5 mm
DS21B-P Vertical Cable Seals Gland 1 or more Circular 50 x 50 x 24.2 mm
DS-LP-Multi-BLK Multi Cable Seal Gland 3 or more Rectangular 59.0 x 110.5 x 15.3 mm
DS-Multi Customizable Cable Seals Gland 3 or more Rectangular 47.5 x 99 x 17.0 mm
DS-LP-21B-BLK Aluminum Cable Gland 1 or more Circular 60.7 x 60.7 x 21 mm
DS-H10-BLK Horizontal Cable Seal Gland 2 Trapezoidal 66.5 x 75.1 x 28.5 mm
DS-H-Multi-BLK Horizontal Cable Seal Gland 3 or more Trapezoidal 97.6 x 114.8 x 35.8 mm
DS-Multi-P-BLK Customizable Multi Cable Seal Gland 3 or more Rectangular 53.5 x 105 x 23.0 mm
DS16-P Vertical Cable Seal Gland 1 or more Circular 48 x 48 x 24.2mm
DS-H6 Horizontal Cable Seal Gland 1 or more Trapezoidal 28.5 x 46 x 20 mm
DS-LP-16-S Low Profile Stainless Steel Cable Gland 1 or more Circular 49.9 x 49.9 x 5.0 mm

Final Thoughts

Cable glands offer a clean, efficient alternative to messy sealants for routing data and power cables from the exterior to the interior of your campervan, caravan or motorhome. Our glands ensure smooth cable feeding while providing a sleek, decorative design.

As we conclude, each cable gland requires a specific installation method. Our current options typically involve screwing the gland over the cable entry hole for optimal results. We include all necessary installation supplies, such as hardware and instructions, allowing you to easily install the glands yourself, wherever you are.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cable Glands

Are cable glands waterproof?

Yes. The cable glands in our collection are IP68-rated, offering superior protection against dust and water ingress, even when submerged up to 3 metres. This keeps moisture, dirt and debris out of your camper's interior.

What is the difference between vertical and horizontal cable glands?

Vertical cable glands feed cables into the entry hole perpendicular to the vehicle's surface, suiting upright cabling on the roof. Horizontal cable glands feed cables parallel to the surface for side-entry cabling on the roof or wall. They can be used interchangeably, but avoid bending cables beyond the manufacturer's recommended radius.

How many cables can a cable gland accommodate?

It depends on the configuration. Single glands take one cable, double glands take two, and multiple cable glands use a wide, slotted entry with a customisable blank bung to support more than two cables β€” some models handle cables up to 15mm thick.

Can I install a cable gland on my caravan myself?

Yes. Our current options typically screw over the cable entry hole, and every gland comes with the necessary installation supplies, including hardware and instructions, so you can fit it yourself wherever you are.

Ready to tidy up your roof wiring? Browse the full range of cable glands for campervan wiring at Campervan Builders and find the right seal for your setup.

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