LAPP Cables & Connectors: Your Practical FAQ for Industrial Purchasing

If you ended up here after searching for 'lapp 2170893' or wondering about strain relief for your LAPP cables, you're in the right place. I manage the admin buying for a mid-sized manufacturing company—about 400 employees across three locations—and I've placed enough orders to know the difference between a spec sheet and what actually works on the factory floor.

This FAQ covers the questions I hear most. Some you've probably asked yourself, and at least one you didn't know you needed to ask.

What is LAPP? And what does 'lapp 2170893' mean?

LAPP is a German company that makes cables, connectors, and cable glands—basically, everything you need to get power and data from point A to point B reliably in an industrial setting. They're a big name in high-flex cables (like ÖLFLEX) and industrial connectivity (like EPIC connectors).

The number '2170893'? That's a LAPP part number. Specifically, I believe it refers to a SKINTOP strain relief cable gland—though don't quote me on the exact variant without checking the catalog. I've made the mistake of ordering based on memory before and ended up with the wrong thread size.

What is a 'lapp strain relief' and why should I care?

Strain relief is the part of a connector or cable gland that prevents the cable from pulling out or breaking at the connection point. LAPP calls theirs SKINTOP. It screws onto the connector housing and clamps the cable so that if someone trips over it or a machine yanks it, the stress goes to the gland—not the internal wiring.

I didn't appreciate this until we had a robot arm where the cable kept fraying at the connector. We were replacing $500 cables every six weeks until I switched to a proper LAPP strain relief setup. That was three years ago, and we haven't replaced that cable since. Put another way: good strain relief saves you money in replacement costs and downtime.

Can I use LAPP connectors with other brands?

Short answer: usually, but verify. LAPP's EPIC series, for example, is designed to be compatible with many common industrial connector formats. But I can only speak to our experience at a mid-size B2B company with predictable ordering patterns. If you're dealing with international logistics or custom gear, the calculus might be different.

Here's what I do before mixing brands:

• Check the data sheet for pin count, voltage rating, and IP rating
• Verify thread sizes – metric vs. PG vs. NPT can trip you up
• Test one unit before buying in bulk

The vendor who said 'this isn't our strength—here's who does it better' earned my trust for everything else. I'd rather work with a specialist who knows their limits than a generalist who overpromises.

What does 'group' have to do with LAPP cables?

Sometimes you'll see 'group' in cable specs—like 'ÖLFLEX CLASSIC 110 CHAIN 4G1.5.' The '4' there means four conductors. The 'G' indicates a ground (earth) wire included. The '1.5' is cross-section in mm². This is standard notation per IEC 60227 or similar, but it's easy to overlook if you're new to the field.

If I remember correctly, the grouping tells you how the cable is constructed and what it's rated for. If you need a cable that can move (like in a cable chain), look for 'CHAIN' or 'HIGH FLEX' in the name. Static installation cables don't need that, so don't pay for it.

How to use a multimeter to check LAPP cables?

Using a multimeter on LAPP cables is like using one on any cable, but here's the practical workflow I use:

1. Set the multimeter to continuity (the diode or beep symbol).
2. Insert one probe into each end of the same wire color. The beep means good connection. No beep? Break in the conductor.
3. Check for short circuits: Put one probe on conductor A, the other on conductor B. If it beeps when they shouldn't be connected, you have a short.
4. Test insulation resistance: Use the resistance setting (MΩ). Touch one probe to the conductor and the other to the cable jacket. It should read 'OL' or very high. Low resistance means damaged insulation.

I still kick myself for not testing a batch of cables before installing them. We saved $200 upfront but lost $2,400 in labor when we had to replace half of them later. Now I test every cable before it goes in.

Why search 'flip phone' when looking for LAPP products?

This one surprised me. Some online searches for 'flip phone' related to LAPP products turn up because of a product called 'FLIP' in the EPIC connector range. The EPIC FLIP is a hood/handle design for rectangular connectors—it flips open for quick termination. Not a mobile phone at all.

It's a good reminder to double-check what you're actually searching for. I once ordered 'cable glands' that turned out to be for medical devices, not industrial panels. Always verify the product series.

Can I get LAPP cables cheaper online?

Based on publicly listed prices I've checked, LAPP pricing is fairly consistent across authorized distributors. If a price looks too good to be true, it probably is. I've seen gray-market sellers offering 'similar' products that didn't meet spec.

Here's a reality check from my experience: You might save 10-15% on the unit price, but if the shipment is delayed by a week because the supplier isn't authorized, or if the parts fail and you have no warranty support, that saving evaporates fast.

Any other gotchas with LAPP parts?

One thing I learned the hard way: check the IP rating. A SKINTOP gland rated IP68 is great for wet environments. But if your application needs IP69K (for high-pressure washdown), you need a different SKINTOP variant. The difference is in the sealing gasket and thread design. I don't have hard data on how many orders I've seen rejected for IP mismatch, but based on our 5 years of orders, my sense is it's at least 10% of first-time spec checks.

Another thing: cable glands have thread sizes. Metric (M20, M25) and PG (PG11, PG16) are common. They are not interchangeable without adapters. I've got a box of adapters now that I didn't need before.

I wish I had tracked that more carefully from the start. What I can say anecdotally: the upgrade to the right gland for our washdown zones made a noticeable difference in reliability.