A cable gland (in the U.S. more often known as a cable connector or fitting) is a device designed to attach and secure the
end of a cable to the equipment. A cable gland provides strain-relief and connects by a means suitable for the type and description
of cable for which it is designed—including provision for making electrical connection to the armour or braid and lead or
aluminium sheath of the cable, if any. Cable glands may also be used for sealing cables passing through bulkheads or gland
plates.
Cable glands are mechanical cable entry devices and can be constructed from metallic or non-metallic materials. They are used
throughout a number of industries in conjunction with cable and wiring used in electrical instrumentation and automation systems.
Cable glands may be used on all types of electrical power, control, instrumentation, data and telecommunications cables. They
are used as a sealing and termination device to ensure that the characteristics of the enclosure which the cable enters can
be maintained adequately.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_gland (February 2014)