Protecting your Expensive Hoses, Wiring and Cabling : Rubber Grommets

When you've spent a packet on expensive wiring and cabling at home, factory or your office, you don't want it to be damaged by repeated flexing or friction, exposure to the elements and contamination by dirt and dust. Hoses, tubes and pipes can be vulnerable to similar damage, leading to safety issues as well. If you have delicate lacings or cords as accessories for your blinds and curtains, these can fray and become worn out.

A simple and inexpensive solution is to install rubber grommets at the appropriate points where stretching, bending or repeated friction occur. Another point where grommets can be fixed is where the wire, cable or cord emerges from a punched hole in plastic or metal sheets and tends to rub against a sharp edge.

Grommets are available in both rubber and plastic and in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you can choose depending on your needs.

In this article we will discuss the specifics of Rubber Grommets.

Rubber grommets are essential in the automotive, medical, agricultural and industrial sectors. They are also used in engine fittings and in the defense establishment.

Manufactured from highly durable molded rubber or SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) with similar tensile and elastic qualities as automobile tires, these grommets are designed to withstand tearing, abrasion, weather-related ageing and damage from exposure to petroleum products. Most of the standard products can also tolerate extreme temperatures, ranging from 107C to -50C. The tensile range is also extensive: between 30-100 psi. Depending on your requirement, some manufacturers may also offer additional compounds in the SBR, such as silicone, Neoprene etc.

Rubber grommets come in a standard round shape and are very easy to install and can simply be snapped into the hole. They have great adhesion properties and the only point to keep in mind is that you must choose the grommet of the exact dimension and panel size to fit the hole or exit point where it must be installed. Rubber grommets generally come in black finish.

Several manufacturers also offer customized units in different shapes like oval, horse-shoe, or flat. They may also supply grommets with multiple holes or plug and blind types depending on your exact specifications. You can also avail of the free catalogs and samples offered by retailers to assist you in making your choice.

Rubber grommets are easily available in most hardware stores and do not require great technical expertise to install. In case you are shopping on-line for them, you may have to place bulk orders. You must also ensure that they are properly packed and dispatched.

Rubber grommets will provide long-lasting and efficient protection to your expensive cables, wiring and hoses.