Multigate grommet seals multiple connections

Tom Shelley reports on a development designed to save significant costs to system builders who have to make multiple connections into cabinets A multiple grommet plate enables multiple electrical cables and/or pipes to be sealed into a cabinet housing with only one aperture. The Multigate from Heyco is an IP (Ingress Protection) gasket consisting of a steel cable gland plate encapsulated in thermoplastic rubber, with several pre-prepared cable grommets. Because it seals multiple cables or pipes, it requires cutting only one aperture and reduces parts inventory. It also allows the pipes or cables to be placed closer together, because it requires no bridges of cabinet material between the individual connections, and allows a significant saving in installation time. The product is available in black, white or grey and in three formats capable of accommodating up to 35 cables or pipes with diameters from 5mm to 32mm. It is designed to fit a C-standard aperture (FL21). Black versions are available with a UL94V-0 flammability rating. The product meets the requirements of IP enclosure classes up to IP65 without having to use separate gaskets or glands. It can be installed using conventional screws or Heyco polycarbonate drive rivets designed specially for the Multigate. It has been inspected and certified by Lloyd's Register of shipping for marine and offshore cable installations and FIMKO, the Finnish authority in charge of electrical equipment safety standards for use in installation boxes, public distribution networks and distribution boards. Heyco