Wiska Company and Products Guide – History, Innovations and Product Ranges
This Wiska company and products guide explores the German manufacturer’s history, its development of electrical installation products and the different ranges available today. From COMBI junction boxes and cable glands to industrial enclosures and specialist marine equipment, Wiska has been manufacturing electrical products since 1919. Here we explain what the company makes, how its products differ and where electricians can find the appropriate technical information.
Who Is Wiska?
Wiska Hoppmann GmbH is a German manufacturer specialising in electrical installation materials, cable-management products, maritime electrical equipment, lighting and video surveillance systems.
The business was founded in Hamburg in 1919 and remains family-owned. Its headquarters and manufacturing operations are based in Kaltenkirchen, Germany.
Wiska serves several markets, including the electrical trade, industrial manufacturing and shipbuilding. Its products range from relatively small cable glands to specialist marine lighting equipment and CCTV systems.
According to Wiska’s published company information, the group employs more than 340 people worldwide. It also operates research and development facilities alongside its manufacturing activities in Germany.
For official company information, visit Wiska Facts and Figures.
Wiska’s History – From 1919 to Modern Cable Management
The company was established by Wilhelm Hoppmann and Hermann Mulsow in Hamburg in 1919. Its original business involved manufacturing brass electrical installation equipment for shipyards.
At that time, the maritime industry required robust electrical components capable of operating in demanding conditions. Cable entries, connections and protective housings were important parts of the company’s early manufacturing activities.
1925 – The ISOSTABIL Plastic Cable Gland
In 1925, Wiska introduced ISOSTABIL, an early thermoset plastic cable gland. This development expanded the company’s product offering beyond its original brass electrical fittings.
1933 – The Wiska Name
The Wiska name was developed from the German phrase “Wasserdichte isolierstoffgekapselte Kabelarmaturen”, referring to waterproof cable fittings encapsulated in insulating material.
1969 – Expansion to Kaltenkirchen
As the business expanded, Wiska moved to its present location in Kaltenkirchen, Germany, increasing its production capacity.
Modern Wiska
Wiska now supplies a much wider range of products, with separate activities in electrical installation materials and maritime equipment.
The manufacturer continues to introduce new cable-management and enclosure products, while retaining its established ranges of industrial and marine electrical equipment.
See the manufacturer’s official Wiska history timeline for further details.
Watch the Wiska Product Video
The following Wiska video introduces one of the manufacturer’s specialist cable gland products. It demonstrates the type of product development taking place alongside Wiska’s long-established enclosure ranges.
Wiska’s Main Electrical Product Ranges
Wiska manufactures products for different cable-entry, electrical connection and enclosure applications. Understanding the major product families can help electricians identify the appropriate category before selecting a specific model.
1. Wiska COMBI Junction Boxes
The Wiska COMBI range is one of the manufacturer’s best-known electrical installation product families.
These junction boxes are available in different sizes, colours and configurations. Selected models include integrated cable-entry membranes, threaded gland entries, dedicated mounting openings and captive cover screws.
For example, Wiska specifies polypropylene construction and TPE sealing components for its COMBI 1210 range, with IP66 or IP67 protection depending on the cable-entry arrangement.
The manufacturer’s stated protection conditions for the COMBI 1210 are:
- IP66 when using the specified membrane entries correctly.
- IP67 when using a suitable ESKV cable gland with the designated threaded entry.
The same rating should not automatically be assumed for every COMBI model or every installation arrangement.
The COMBI range includes compact models for smaller connections and larger enclosures where additional internal space is needed.
Our Wiska COMBI buying guide explains how to compare the available sizes and features.
2. Wiska Cable Glands
Cable glands provide a controlled entry point for cables entering an enclosure. Depending on the design, they can perform sealing, cable retention, strain-relief or specialist termination functions.
Wiska manufactures several types of cable gland for different applications. These include:
- Polyamide cable glands for compatible non-armoured cable entries.
- Brass SWA cable glands for suitable armoured cable terminations.
- ShieldGLAND products for selected armoured, screened and other compatible cable constructions.
- TriShot cable glands using integrated multi-material moulding technology.
- Specialist cable-entry products designed for particular industrial requirements.
The correct gland must be selected by checking its connection thread, cable outside diameter, cable construction and environmental requirements.
A standard plastic gland should not be used as a substitute for a product intended to terminate SWA armour or provide a specified screen connection.
3. Wiska WIB Industrial Enclosures
Wiska also offers WIB industrial enclosures, designed for applications requiring different enclosure sizes and configurations from the standard COMBI range.
These are worth considering where equipment layout, cable-entry positions or installation conditions require a more specialised enclosure.
As with any electrical enclosure, the chosen product must provide suitable internal space and environmental protection for the actual application.
4. Aluminium and Brass Junction Boxes
In addition to plastic enclosures, Wiska produces metal junction boxes for specialist electrical installations.
The Wiska aluminium enclosure range provides an alternative construction material for selected industrial applications.
Wiska also offers brass junction boxes for applications requiring their specified mechanical and material properties.
Material selection should be based on environmental exposure, corrosion resistance, mechanical requirements and any applicable protective earthing arrangements. No metal enclosure should be assumed to be universally corrosion-proof.
5. Gel Cable Joints and Sealing Accessories
Wiska’s wider electrical installation range includes gel cable jointing products intended for suitable cable-connection applications.
Gel jointing systems and ordinary junction boxes are not interchangeable. A jointing system must be checked for cable compatibility, permitted conductor connections, environmental conditions and the manufacturer’s installation method.
Some gel-based products can offer installation advantages over conventional poured-resin methods, but the exact characteristics depend on the selected product.
Claims about re-entry, immersion protection or operating temperature should always be checked against the specific product data rather than assumed for the entire range.
6. Wiska Venting and Pressure Compensation Products
Condensation can develop inside electrical enclosures when temperature changes, moisture and internal pressure differences interact.
Wiska manufactures venting and pressure compensation accessories intended to help manage suitable enclosure environments.
These products may help reduce pressure differences and support condensation management when correctly specified and installed.
However, a venting product does not guarantee the complete elimination of condensation. Enclosure design, moisture sources and the surrounding environment must also be considered.
Wiska Marine Lighting and Electrical Equipment
Wiska’s maritime business forms an important part of its manufacturing history and present-day activities.
Its marine product range includes searchlights, floodlights, specialist luminaires, electrical installation materials and reefer container sockets.
Wiska also develops CCTV systems for maritime applications, including surveillance equipment for container vessels.
Products designed for maritime use may have specialist certification or environmental requirements. These must be checked for the exact product and vessel application.
This marine equipment range is distinct from the everyday junction boxes and cable glands supplied to electricians through Electrical4Less.
Where Are Wiska Products Manufactured?
Wiska operates development and production facilities at its headquarters in Kaltenkirchen, Germany. The company also has an international network of subsidiaries and sales representatives.
Its manufacturer information describes company-controlled processes covering research and development, material selection, manufacturing, testing and quality management.
That does not mean every product or individual component should be assumed to originate from the same factory. If country of origin is important for a project or procurement requirement, confirm it for the exact product code.
Wiska UK Ltd was established in 2000 and supports the manufacturer’s presence in the British market.
What Makes Wiska’s Product Development Different?
Wiska develops products for several environments, ranging from everyday electrical installations to industrial and maritime equipment.
That breadth of application gives the manufacturer experience in different sealing technologies, enclosure materials and cable-entry designs.
Examples of Wiska product development include the early ISOSTABIL plastic cable gland, the COMBI junction box range and newer TriShot and ShieldGLAND products.
Newer technology is not automatically better for every installation. The best choice is the product that meets the required cable type, dimensions, environmental protection and applicable technical requirements.
How to Choose the Right Wiska Product
Before ordering Wiska electrical installation materials, consider what the product must do within the completed installation.
- For junction boxes, check enclosure dimensions, cable entries, internal wiring space and environmental ratings.
- For cable glands, match the connection thread, outside cable diameter and cable construction.
- For SWA cable, select the appropriate armour termination and protective earthing arrangement.
- For industrial enclosures, consider mechanical exposure, materials, ingress protection and mounting requirements.
- For venting products, consider moisture conditions, pressure changes and the enclosure’s specified protection.
- For gel jointing products, confirm cable, connector and environmental compatibility.
The relevant manufacturer data sheet should form part of the selection process. Installation instructions must also be followed to achieve the product’s intended performance.
Wiska Product Standards and IP Ratings Explained
Wiska publishes product-specific technical information that may include IP ratings, test results, operating temperatures, dimensional data and declarations of conformity.
An IP rating describes protection against specified dust and water exposure under defined test conditions. It does not guarantee performance under every environmental condition or make the completed electrical installation automatically compliant with BS 7671.
For example, Wiska specifies IP66 and IP67 protection for the COMBI 1210/5 BK, depending on the cable-entry method.
The same manufacturer’s specification also identifies a polypropylene enclosure, TPE gasket, 750°C glow-wire test and a five-pole terminal block.
Those are characteristics of that particular product and should not automatically be applied to every Wiska junction box.
See the Wiska 10101463 COMBI 1210/5 BK manufacturer specifications.
Where to Find Wiska Technical Documentation
The manufacturer’s website is the appropriate starting point for checking current product specifications and technical details.
- Wiska – Company Facts and Figures
- Wiska – Company History
- Wiska – Manufacturing and Quality Management
- Wiska – COMBI 1210/5 BK Technical Specifications
- Wiska UK – Official Website
Electrical4Less – Your Independent Wiska Supplier in London
Electrical4Less brings together Wiska’s electrical trade product ranges through our online store and Fulham trade counter. Customers can browse individual cable glands, COMBI junction boxes, industrial enclosures and related accessories without searching across several separate product catalogues.
Our independent electrical wholesale business is based at 9 Seagrave Road, Fulham, London SW6 1RP. We provide local collection and online ordering for customers throughout the UK, with delivery options subject to availability and our published terms.
Electrical4Less is a member of the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) and the Independent Buying Association (IBA), supporting our work within the independent electrical wholesale industry.
Our website was a finalist for Website of the Year at the London Chamber of Commerce SME London Business Awards 2026. Electrical4Less was also shortlisted for Best Wholesaler (1–5 Branches) at the Electrical Wholesaler Awards 2026.
Explore the Electrical4Less Wiska Shop to browse our current product selection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Wiska
Explore More Wiska Installation Guides
For further technical guidance, read our guide to Wiska junction boxes or our Wiska COMBI outdoor installation guide.
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