Bimed Products Earn UKCA Certification for Continued Service to the UK Market
2026-04-15
Safe electrical connections are critical in potentially explosive environments such as oil and gas facilities, chemical plants and mines. A small, non-compliant connection component can create a serious hazard. Explosion-protected cable glands are the essential interface between equipment and cable, and their quality and protection performance affect the safety of the complete installation.
This article explains their function, typical applications, the importance of certification and the costs behind certified products.
An explosion-protected cable gland seals and secures a cable where it enters equipment such as an explosion-protected junction box or motor. Its main functions include cable retention to prevent loosening or pull-out; sealing that helps maintain the equipment’s type of protection; and ingress protection against water, dust and corrosion, where the product is rated accordingly (for example, IP66 or IP68).
Typical applications include oil and gas extraction and refining, chemical and pharmaceutical plants, coal and other mines, and combustible-dust areas such as grain-processing or metal-powder facilities. Electrical sparks or high temperatures in such environments may ignite surrounding gases or dust, so the gland must be suitably certified for the installation.
Compliance: electrical equipment used in explosive atmospheres must meet the applicable Chinese requirements, including the GB/T 3836 series, and any requirements of the destination market. Uncertified products may not be permitted in hazardous areas and can expose users to enforcement action and liability.
Reliability: certification is more than a label. It involves assessment of materials, construction and performance under relevant test conditions. Flameproof protection (Ex d) requires an enclosure to withstand an internal explosion and prevent flame transmission. Increased safety (Ex e) uses design measures to avoid ignition-capable sparks and excessive temperatures. Intrinsic safety (Ex i) limits circuit energy so ignition cannot occur under specified conditions.
Uncertified or falsely certified low-price glands may use unsuitable metal or plastic, have inadequate sealing or lack traceability. These defects can allow hazardous substances to enter and make failures difficult to investigate. Certification is an investment in safety.
Direct certification costs can include explosion-protection testing (approximately RMB 20,000–50,000 or more for a product model, depending on the scheme and certification body), factory audits (about RMB 10,000–30,000 per audit) and periodic surveillance or renewal (around RMB 5,000–20,000 annually for some schemes). International approvals may cost more.
Research, development and manufacturing also add cost: suitable high-strength brass or stainless steel, precision machining and specialized sealing designs. The source article estimates material cost increases of 30–50% compared with ordinary materials. Compliance costs include managing certification marks and numbers, maintaining technical documents and retaining test reports for inspection.
Certified products may cost 30–100% more than uncertified alternatives, according to the source article. The premium supports safety, compliance and dependable long-term operation.
Check the applicable approvals—such as CNEx, ATEX and IECEx—for the specific product and intended hazardous area. Verify certificate numbers with the issuing bodies. Choose a supplier that can provide complete documentation and technical support, and be cautious of prices that suggest compromises in materials or manufacturing.
A cable gland is a small part with a major safety role. Select products that meet the installation’s requirements and protect both personnel and assets.
For information on Bimed cable glands with applicable GB/T 3836, ATEX, IECEx, UL, EAC, DNV, INMETRO and CCC approvals, please contact us. Confirm the exact approvals for each product and configuration before specifying it.
Discussion: Have you encountered certification issues when purchasing explosion-protected equipment? Share your experience.
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