Knowledge base
The questions our technical desk gets most, written out with real numbers. Four product domains, articles by type: basics, selection, calculating and practice.
Product domain
Article type
31 articles
- Basics
What is a cable carrier and how does it work?
Function, parts and terminology: link, crossbar, bend radius, inner dimension and pitch — with a cross-section drawing.
6 min read - Basics
How do you determine the inner height and inner width of a cable carrier?
Measure the fill, add clearance and divide compartments — including the 60% rule of thumb and a full worked example.
5 min read - Basics
Openable inwards or outwards: which do you choose?
The opening direction decides whether you can fill cables without dismantling the machine. Four criteria and a decision table.
4 min read - Selection
Plastic or steel cable carrier: when do you choose which?
Travel, fill weight, temperature, swarf and noise decide — with concrete thresholds per criterion.
6 min read - Selection
Open crossbars or closed cover: which version do you need?
Cooling, dirt, swarf and water jets decide the crossbar type. Four environments with concrete advice.
4 min read - Selection
Which cable carrier series fits my machine?
Series differ in pitch, side-band height and radius range. How to derive the right series from your own dimensions in four steps.
5 min read - Calculating
How do you calculate the size and length of a cable carrier?
Five steps from fill to orderable chain length, with the formula Lk = S/2 + π × R + allowance and a full example.
7 min read - Calculating
What minimum bend radius does my cable need?
The 7.5×, 10× and 15× rules of thumb explained, plus what happens when you go below them.
5 min read - Calculating
How do you calculate unsupported length and sag?
Fill weight sets the unsupported length. When to switch to gliding, and how much sag is acceptable.
6 min read - In practice
How do you correctly fill cables into a cable carrier?
From unrolling and neutral position to strain relief: a seven-step installation sequence with the most frequent mistakes.
6 min read - In practice
How do you divide a cable carrier with separators?
Compartments, shelves and EMC separation: what belongs where and which distances to keep.
4 min read - In practice
How do you extend the life of cables in a cable carrier?
Three causes explain nearly all premature failures. How to spot them in time and what your maintenance plan needs.
5 min read - In practice
When do you need a guide trough with glide shoes?
Trough width, glide surfaces and wear indication: how to build a gliding arrangement that lasts for years.
5 min read - Basics
What do IP ratings mean for cable protection conduits?
The two digits explained, plus why a conduit only achieves an IP rating together with its gland.
6 min read - Selection
Which cable entry do you choose for pre-terminated cables?
Split grommet, frame or snap entry: packing density, IP rating and strain relief compared.
5 min read - Selection
How do you protect cables against heat and weld spatter?
Continuous versus peak temperature, radiant heat and spatter: which protection type suits which heat source.
5 min read - Selection
Which cable protection conduit to choose: PA, PP or metal?
Material, profile and gland system together decide whether a conduit lasts for years. Choose in three steps.
6 min read - Calculating
How do you calculate nominal size and conduit length?
40% fill ratio, bend radius allowance and installed length: the three formulas with real numbers.
6 min read - In practice
How do you install a protective conduit without leaks?
Cut square, seat to the stop, tighten correctly and clamp: the installation sequence that delivers a seal.
5 min read - Basics
Cable entry systems: frames, grommets and brush seals
The three main entry types, what they do and do not seal, and when you need a split frame.
6 min read - Calculating
How many grommets and which frame size do you need?
From cable list to frame size: grommet size per diameter, occupancy rules and 20% reserve.
5 min read - In practice
Installing an entry frame: sequence, sealing and checks
From cut-out to final check: the eight steps that decide whether your frame really seals.
5 min read - Basics
Radiation, conduction and convection: how heat destroys cables
The heat route you must block determines the material: mat, sleeve or distance.
6 min read - Calculating
Calculating derating at high ambient temperature
Two factors, one formula: how much current remains at 55 °C with ten cables side by side?
6 min read - In practice
Installing heat protection: air gap, fixing and inspection
A good shield hangs free, is fixed with heat-resistant hardware and is checked annually.
5 min read - Basics
Energiekette / Schleppkette: what is it and which one do you need?
German terminology for cable carriers explained, the Tsubaki Kabelschlepp partnership and selection basics.
5 min read - In practice
When to maintain or replace a cable carrier?
Recognizing wear on glide surfaces and pins, replacing individual links and service life in millions of cycles.
4 min read - In practice
Cable carriers in vertical and hanging applications
Mounting considerations for vertical strokes, support, strain relief and acceleration limits.
5 min read - Selection
Cable carrier for robots and rotating applications: what to choose?
Robot arms, rotary tables and swivel axes move in three directions. Which carrier handles that and which mistakes halve service life.
6 min read - Selection
Cable carriers in ATEX, ESD, cleanroom and food environments
Explosion risk, static charge, low-particle rooms and washdown each demand a different material and version.
6 min read - Selection
Choosing a cable gland: size, material and IP rating
From cable diameter to the right M size, with the clamping range, lock nut and seal that actually reach the IP rating.
5 min read
Choose a product domain
Each domain has its own pillar page listing every article.
Cable carriers
From fill and inner dimensions to bend radius, chain length and installation. Fifteen articles covering exactly the questions our technical desk gets every day.
18 articles in this domain
Protective conduits
Nominal size, bend radius, IP rating and gland choice. How to build a conduit system that is genuinely sealed.
5 articles in this domain
Cable entry systems
Pre-terminated cables neatly and tightly through a cabinet wall: split grommets, frames, packing density and strain relief.
4 articles in this domain
Heat protection
Separating radiation, contact heat and spatter. Which temperature figure in a datasheet actually counts and which does not.
4 articles in this domain