Drag chains are a reliable and robust method of managing cables, hoses and conductors on moving machinery and automated equipment.
Designed to guide and protect electrical cables and pneumatic lines throughout the full range of machine movement, drag chains prevent tangling, snagging and premature wear that can lead to costly downtime and safety risks on the factory floor.
As anyone who works within an industrial setting will know, the equipment used within environments such as warehouses, manufacturing plants and offshore oil rigs is usually either specially made or very heavy, meaning any damage can also be incredibly costly to the company. This is especially the case when it comes to the likes of cabling.
That’s why a solution in the form of drag chains is often called upon to protect such delicate structures. Looking similar in appearance to that of a robotic arm, drag chains can take many forms, as flexible structures that provide a protective shield around the cables, so that they won’t become damaged by nearby activity.
Here is what you need to know about drag chains, along with how you can order them for your business operations.
Alternative Names For Drag Chains
- Cable carriers
- Cable chains
- Cable drag chains
- Cable track
- Energy trains
What Are Drag Chains Used For?
Drag chains are used to guide, support and protect the likes of cables, hoses and hydraulic lines when in motion. Without drag chains, the potential for such structures to become tangled or damaged would be high.
Therefore, drag chains help to extend the life of cables, hoses and hydraulic lines. After all, if a cable is tangled, it can require a huge effort to manually untangle the cables, and in the process, the pressure from the tangle itself can weaken the cables. If the cable has been completely severed a fix is sometimes possible but cannot be guaranteed, therefore the only option would be to carry out a full replacement of the cable.
From a health and safety perspective, keeping cables protected and in a position where someone cannot trip over them also reduces the likelihood of injury. After all, a trip or fall is bad enough in any environment, but if there is a potential for the person to knock into heavy machinery, come into contact with chemicals, or even if the location is off-shore meaning medical help is not as readily available, this can all dramatically increase the risk factor for your employees, not to mention push up insurance costs.
Likewise, given drag chains can carry a variety of substances including gases and fluids, if there were to be a leak this could have disastrous consequences depending on the contents of the substance. Why take the risk, when drag chains provide a safe and easy solution that’s built with your operation needs in mind?
Drag Chain Benefits
- Built to last
- Extends the lifespan of cables
- Increased safety for employees
- Reduced downtime
- Reduced costs
- Suitable for a wide variety of industries
- Steel drag chains can carry electricity, gases and fluids simultaneously
- Various designs available
What Are Heavy Duty Cable Drag Chains?
Heavy duty cable drag chains are an industrial cable management system designed to carry and protect electrical cables, hydraulic hoses and pneumatic lines on machinery where one part moves repeatedly relative to another. The chain is made up of a series of interlinked steel or reinforced plastic links that form a self-supporting channel, guiding cables through the full range of machine travel without allowing them to droop, tangle or become snagged in moving parts.
The “heavy duty” description refers to chains built for the most demanding end of the application range. Typically, these applications involve high dynamic loads, long travel distances, fast cycle speeds or exposure to aggressive environmental conditions such as metal swarf, coolants, high temperatures or heavy impact. In these situations, standard plastic cable carriers are not suitable. Instead, steel construction is required to maintain structural integrity over the working life of the installation.
Some of the most common use cases for heavy duty cable drag chains include overhead cranes, gantry systems, large CNC machine tools, automated press lines, steel mill equipment and port handling machinery. In short, anywhere that cables need to travel reliably and repeatedly over thousands of operating cycles without maintenance intervention.
Cable Drag Chains Sizes – The Main Considerations
Internal width
- Typically ranges from 25mm to 200mm or more
- Determines how many cables and hoses can be accommodated side by side
- Must be matched to the widest single cable or hose, plus clearance for movement
Internal height
- Usually ranges from 25mm to 100mm on standard series
- Determines the maximum diameter of individual cables or hoses within the chain
- Heavier cable bundles require greater internal height to prevent compression
Pitch (link length)
- Common pitches range from 40mm to 160mm
- Shorter pitch gives a tighter bend radius and smoother travel on compact machines
- Longer pitch suits high-speed applications and longer travel distances
Bend radius
- Standard bend radii typically run from 50mm to 500mm depending on the series
- Must be sufficient to prevent cables from kinking or exceeding their minimum bend radius rating
- Larger bend radii are required for thicker or more rigid cable types
Travel length
- Standard systems handle travel distances from a few hundred millimetres up to 50 metres or more
- Very long travel distances may require additional support brackets or a guide trough
Fill weight and load capacity
- Heavy duty steel chains are rated by maximum fill weight per metre of chain length
- Typical ratings range from 5kg/m on lighter series up to 50kg/m or above on heavy duty industrial variants
Get A Free Quote For Metreel Drag Chains UK
Metreel is a leading supplier of drag chains. We’re based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire covering the UK and beyond.
All of our drag chains can be supplied in a variety of configurations. With over 50 years in business, we’re proud to have installations spanning the globe, including our drag chains.
We custom make drag chains for a wide variety of industries including general industry, the oil and gas industry. Using only the highest grade of materials for both your safety and satisfaction, we can also offer a range of delivery and installation options depending on your requirements.
If you would like to find out more about our drag chains, or if you’re interested in any other of the services we provide, please give us a call on 0115 932 7010, or drop us an email.
Alternatively, check out the Metreel Brochure to discover our full range of products and services.