Grommets/glands for box?

[Discharged]

Hi

I'm looking to install a switch into a box like this one:

... and so will require a lead going in and one coming out. I need to find a way to hold the leads in a safe and secure manner, but don't want to/can't use 20mm glands - they'd look ugly in this, and are just wrong I think. But I'm pretty sure that I have seen something like grommets which you would slide over the top of the cable and located in a hole that was cut into the box. I imagine that the box will be split horizontally, and the hole for each cable will be centred on that split line of the casing.

Can you see what I'm trying to ask about here? Where can I get a grommet that could hold a 1.5mm twin + earth, and sit on one half of the casing, and then put the other half of the casing on top and screw it down?

I think I need to know the name of the item, so that's where I'm a bit stuck. I can find some grommet-like things on RS Online, but I'm not convinced they're what I need. I think I want something that is probably no bigger than perhaps 5mm long?

Anyone help, please?

 

[Dan23584]

what are the dimensions of the box you have shown?

 

[Discharged]

That one happens to be 78L x 40L x 21H - metric. However, I won't know the dimensions of the casing I shall be dealing with until the switch arrives. Actually one of the thermostats I mentioned in my other post. Then I'll be ordering the casing, but it won't be far off what this is, I should think.

 

[Discharged]

The other variable I don't have to hand, of course, is the thickness of the casing - that must have an effect on choices available I think.

 

[Dan23584]

Will the switch/thermostat have a cord grip facility that could support the cables? If so you could then just use standard grommets on the outer casing.

Or try and fit some form of cord grip inside the box, you don't want to have the casing lid supporting the cables as when you take the cover off they may drop and put strain on the terminals.

 

[Discharged]

Not in itself, no. It looks like this:

You can see that it has two mounting holes, but if the casing does not allow, then I might have to find another way of securing it in there - No More Nails, for example. Again, if the casing permitted, then I might be able to fit a couple of cord grips.

Finally, to waterproof and protect the unit, I aim to fill it with potting compound/liquid rubber, from underneath where there will be room having cut a hole for the stat.

 

[Discharged]

ie, the unit will never be dismantled without destruction.

 

[Engineer54]

What this sounds like, is a DIY lash-up!! ....And a Pig's Ear of a lash up too!!

If you want to do things properly, there are far smaller glands available on the market. Cables entering surface boxes NEED a gland of one sort or another, either that, or a purpose made cable entry support, like you see on appliances....

 

[clicon357]

Something like this:Strain Relief Grommets : Spacers & Grommets : Maplin Electronics

 

[Discharged]

What this sounds like, is a DIY lash-up!! ....And a Pig's Ear of a lash up too!!

If you want to do things properly, there are far smaller glands available on the market. Cables entering surface boxes NEED a gland of one sort or another, either that, or a purpose made cable entry support, like you see on appliances....

In what way is it a 'lash-up'? The glands?

 

[Engineer54]

Something like this:Strain Relief Grommets : Spacers & Grommets : Maplin Electronics

Yes, there are 2 or 3 other options available too on that Maplin site. All far better than what's so far been suggested by the O/P!!! lol!!!

 

[Discharged]

Yes, there are 2 or 3 other options available too on that Maplin site. All far better than what's so far been suggested by the O/P!!! lol!!!

Sorry, what's funny?

 

[Engineer54]

There is Nothing funny about your set up, as i said, it's a DIY lash-up!!

 

[Discharged]

There is Nothing funny about your set up, as i said, it's a DIY lash-up!!

I asked for information on cable entry/exit, and you insult me.

 

[Lofty]

I'd use the strain relief grommets as shown on the Maplin site but NOT on a cut line in the casing / box unless no other option.
If you're using 1.5 T&E you'll need a large grommet as they work by putting a 'kink' in the cable within the body of the grommet so you get cable prtection and cable security.

Lofty.