Strain Reliefs

Strain reliefs protect the lifeline of electrical products by absorbing the forces of push and pull that may be exerted on the flexible wires, cables, or tubing.  Strain reliefs extend cord life and reinforce the cord connection to equipment. A strain relief is generally attached to a cable or cable assembly, which is designed to increase the bend radius and absorb the forces of push and pull exerted during use.  Strain reliefs are often custom molded components.  Flexible style strain relief designs provide additional relief to the completed assembly. The flexible wire strain reliefs can be removed to create a solid, short body style at any time for those applications where it is required. General specifications and approvals are the most important considerations when selecting strain reliefs.

Important general specifications to consider when searching for strain reliefs include the maximum diameter, temperature range, and integral clamps.  The maximum diameter refers to the maximum diameter of the bundle of wires and cables.  The temperature range is the full-required range of ambient operating temperature. Clamps are used for clamping wires, cables, and tubing securely into place.  Additional factors to consider when selecting strain reliefs include thread size, dome or flex style, metal or nylon type, color, threaded or knockout, and seal ring or O-ring.

Common approvals granted to strain reliefs include CSA Mark (US, C and US, NRTL/C), UL Listing Mark, and UL Recognized Component Mark (US and Canadian).  The CSA Mark may appear alone or with indicators. If it appears alone, it means that the product is certified for the Canadian market, to the applicable Canadian standards. If this Mark appears with the indicator "C and US" or "NRTL/C" it means that the product is certified for both the U.S. and Canadian markets, to the applicable U.S. and Canadian standards. The UL Listing Mark denotes that Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) has found that samples of the product met UL's safety requirements. These requirements are primarily based on UL's published Standards for Safety.  The UL Recognized Component Marks are used only on component parts that are part of a larger product or system. These components may have restrictions on their performance or may be incomplete in construction. Products intended for Canada carry the Recognized Component Mark "C."

• Choosing a Strain Relief for Any Application (.pdf)
  Any time electrical equipment manufacturers run wires, cords, or cabling out through the chassis of the equipment, special care must be taken to protect the cable or wires from stress and damage,...
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Part Numbers for Strain Reliefs