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'First' four-layer cable can replace up to five e-chain cables
Published:  19 June, 2017

A German cable-maker has developed what it claims is the world’s first 500V drag-chain cable with four layers. Hradil Spezialkabel says that its 18.8mm-diameter, 61-conductor High-Endurance cable can replace up to five individual drag-chain cables, “massively” reducing the downtime when an energy-chain cable fails.

Usually, says Hradil, when one of the cables in an e-chain fails, all of the cables are replaced in a time-consuming operation. “Otherwise, the risk that another cable in the chain might give up the ghost is simply too high,” the company suggests.

The new 61-conductor cable can replace all of the cables in a fraction of the time previously needed, according to Hradil.

The company reports that the new drag chain cable “showed no weaknesses whatsoever” in a six-week endurance stress test during which it completed 600,000 cycles, moving a distance of slightly less than 2.5m at speeds of up to 5m/s. The cable also passed a 200,000-cycle, 360-degree torsion test conducted at 10 revolutions per minute. All mechanical, thermal and environmental tests were carried out in accordance with DIN EN 60811.

Hradil's 61-conductor e-chain cable can replace up to five individual cables

The new cable’s maximum bending radius during mobile usage exceeds 190mm. It is resistant to oil, diesel, cooling agents and lubricants. It is suitable for outdoor use and is ozone- as well as UV-resistant. The cable is flame-retardant to IEC 60332-1 and has an operating temperature range of –40°C to +80°C.