According to the manufacturer Lapp, a multiple entry with a metric connection thread allows up to 30 non-assembled cables and wires as well as media hoses to be fed into one housing. This is possible thanks to a special gel technology in the 'Skintop Multi-M'. Special gels of this type are used for bicycle saddles or sports shoes, for example. The elastic yet high-strength gel pads can be adapted to a wide variety of shapes.

The cables are pushed through the elastic gel insert and securely positioned in place thanks to the static friction on the cable sheath. Foreign bodies such as water cannot penetrate. The patented funnel-step geometry of the individual insertion points also allows the maximum clamping ranges to be increased with up to 4 mm variance per cable diameter. The sizes of the round multiple entry are designed for metric threads (DIN EN 62444).

High packing density

Thanks to the gel insert, more cables can be fed through the housing wall than is possible with conventional methods. The multiple entry system is currently available in three versions: Version 1 with the M40x1.5 metric thread has twelve cable glands for different cable sizes and clamping ranges between 1 and 6 mm (2x 1 to 4 mm and 10x 2 to 6 mm). Version 2 with the M50x1.5 metric thread is designed for 18 cables with a clamping range of 2 to 6 mm. Version 3 with the metric thread M63x1.5 allows 30 feed-throughs with clamping ranges between 2 and 6 mm. The gel material provides strain relief for the entire cable bundle.

As no individual inserts need to be removed from the multiple cable glands in order to install the cables, several work steps are no longer necessary. There is also no need for separate pre-piercing of the entry points, as pushing a cable through is sufficient to pierce the elastic gel. On the one hand, this reduces costs, as fewer working hours are required for installation and servicing, and on the other hand, it increases installation speed for all applications where speed is of the essence.

Protected according to IP68

Round multiple cable entries are used in control, switch cabinet and apparatus construction as well as automation technology. Multiple cable entries with gel technology are particularly suitable when many unassembled cables, wires or hoses need to be inserted into a housing to save space. Due to the wide range of applications, the materials used must meet high material and safety requirements. In addition to the gel insert, the 'Skintop Multi-M' consists of a polycarbonate frame. This thermoplastic material is particularly stable. Depending on the area of application, the multi-insert must be able to withstand large temperature fluctuations without damage. In standard enclosures in mechanical engineering and many other branches of industry, resistance to temperatures from -20 to +80 °C is required. In applications such as wind turbines, for example, protection against even greater temperature fluctuations is required, which is why the multiple entry without O-ring meets requirements for a temperature range between -30 and +110 °C; with O-ring, -20 to +100 °C is possible.

In almost all areas of mechanical engineering, resistance to oils, greases, UV radiation and ozone is also required. In some areas, there are also requirements for resistance to liquids and dust. The multiple entry system with IP68 protection fulfills all of these requirements. It is also halogen and silicone-free.

UL certification for the North American market is already available in accordance with the UL 50, UL 50E, CSA C22.2 and UL 508A standards for industrial system controls (e.g. control cabinets). On request, the round multiple entry is also available with individual hole configurations and other metric thread sizes.

The article is based on documents from Lapp, Stuttgart.