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How to Select Cable Carriers

Image Credit: KabelSchlepp | Igus

Cable carriers organize conduits such as cables, hoses, and chains through a series of flexible links. Cable carriers are available in various sizes, materials, and types for a variety of operating conditions. To prevent cables, hoses, and chains from twisting, the height of any compartment that contains more than one conduit of the same diameter should not exceed 150% of the conduit’s diameter. Cable carriers can be stored stacked one on top of the other or rolled up, lying down or upright.

Design Tip: Filling cable carriers to no more than 80% capacity ensures proper functionality and extends the life of conduits.

Cable Carrier Types

There are two basic types of cable carriers: open and closed.

Open cable carriers use crossbars to contain the conduits.
Enclosed cable carriers cover the conduits completely.

Cable Carrier Features

Cable carriers are available with features that enhance their performance in specific applications.

Designed to withstand high levels of mechanical stress.
Designed to withstand exposure to weather.
Hinged or removable crossbars or covers to facilitate the installation and removal of conduits.
Feed-through or snap-through features hold the crossbars or covers in place when conduits are installed or removed.
Zipper-style cable carriers have crossbars that are connected so that opening one crossbar also opens the adjacent crossbar.
Vertical partitions or horizontal dividers separate conduits.
Removable links that can be added or removed to change the carrier length.
Strain reliefs, located at each end of the cable carrier, can be used to keep cables, hoses, or chains in position.
Armor-plated cable carriers are used in harsh environments where contaminants may damage the conduit.

Cable Carrier Materials

Cable carriers are made of either metallic materials such as steel, or nonmetallic composites such as fiber-reinforced nylon.

Product Specifications

Size

Cable carriers also vary in size.

Both the inside width and the inside height measure a cross-section.
The mounting height, on the other hand, is the minimum height from the bottom of the cable carrier to the top of the curved section.
The bend radius is the radius of the curved section, measured to the center of the cable carrier. Cable carriers with a small bend radius can handle not only horizontal and vertical motion, but also rotary motion. With rotary cable carriers, the conduit coils around the axis of rotation. Spiral or 3-dimensional cable carriers combine horizontal, vertical, and rotary motions. These cable carriers are commonly used in robotics or with multi-axis machine tools.