Cable glands are made of various plastics, steel, brass or aluminum. Glands intended to resist dripping water or water pressure will include synthetic rubber or other types of elastomer seals.

Certain types of cable glands may also serve to prevent entry of flammable gas into equipment enclosures, for electrical equipment in hazardous areas.

Although cable glands are often called “connectors”, a technical distinction can be made in the terminology, which differentiates them from quick-disconnect, conducting electrical connectors.

For routing pre-terminated cables (cables with connectors), split cable glands can be used.

These cable glands consist of three parts (two gland halves and a split sealing grommet) which are screwed with a hexagonal locknut (like normal cable glands). Thus, pre-assembled cables can be routed without removing the plugs.

Alternatively, split cable entry systems can be used (normally consisting of a hard frame and several sealing grommets) to route a large number of pre-terminated cables through one wall cut-out.