The terms "grommet" and "bushing" are open in terms of their meaning, and depending on their application, but typically both words refer to a piece of material — usually circular in shape —that provides a buffer between two areas that can serve many different purposes, from insulation to vibration resistance to protection from abrasion and friction. In our industry, it's typically that last definition that applies to grommets and bushings. But are they all the same? Of course not! So, what sets each type apart? Let's dig into this topic and find out.
RUBBER GROMMETS
A grommet usually refers to a simple "eyelet" that reinforces a hole in a surface. That surface could be virtually anything, but in most cases, it typically refers to a cable pass-through. As the name implies, it allows "cables" to "pass through" surfaces like walls, desks or other furniture, floors, ceilings, etc. A rubber grommet is one of the simplest examples of such a pass-through. It's basically just a rubber bumper that protects cables from the hard edges or sharp corners of whatever surface it passes between.
PVC GROMMETS/BUSHINGS
Other bushings are a bit more complex in their design. Rather than a simple rubber circle, many bushings have different features that help give a little extra protection or added functionality. Non-metallic wire bushings, for example, are essentially like rubber grommets, though they're made from PVC and feature a threaded pattern that allows them to install into surfaces more securely.
SNAP BUSHINGS
Snap bushings are called that because they can snap into the surface and lock into place once installed, thanks to the design of the outer edge that allows portions to expand once put into the desired hole.
Many snap bushings are simple circular pass-throughs, but others feature "wings" or "shutters" which are flaps that help keep cables from being too loose in the pass-through, keeping them centered and also protecting them from too much vibration and shock.
SNUB BUSHINGS
Taking it a step further are snub bushings , which have a thick split opening that will close around a cable once it's snapped into place, securing it and ensuring that it doesn't move. While this provides solid insulation and retention, it also means only a single cable can be properly secured in each bushing, rather than a bundle.
OPEN BUSHINGS
An open bushing is a grommet that is not a closed circle, but rather contains a slit that divides the circle when not installed. This allows it to do a few things closed grommets and bushings can't. Cables can be installed with a side-entry method, instead of a feed-through, for example. Additionally, they can be installed into pre-existing holes, or along pre-existing cable runs.
EDGING
An edging or grommet strip is basically a "do-it-yourself" grommet. Instead of being pre-molded into a circular shape, this is a strip that can be cut to size to line a hole, creating the buffer from sharp edges that grommets and bushings are known for. An obvious advantage of this type of solution is that it can fit on non-circular areas. You can use it to protect the edges of server racks, cabinets, panels and more, as well as the traditional cable pass-through hole grommet.
