Which cables may share a compartment?
Cables within 20% diameter difference and with the same type of sheath. A stiff power cable next to a limp sensor cable means the limp one gets crushed and starts to wave. Always separate hoses, since their diameter changes under pressure.
How do you separate power and signal?
Put servo and VFD cables on one side, signal, encoder and bus cables on the other, with at least one empty compartment or a metal divider between. On long chains with fast-switching drives we recommend an aluminium separator as a shielding partition.
When do you use a shelf?
As soon as you need two layers. Without a shelf the layers slide over each other and the sheath chafes on every stroke. Allow 2 to 3 mm of height per shelf and make sure each layer keeps its own 10 to 20% clearance — two layers in a 25 mm compartment rarely works.
How do you keep separators in place?
On most series separators click into teeth in the crossbar or cover; fit them every link or every second link. Spaced too far apart they tilt and the compartments lose their function. After 100 strokes, check that all separators still stand upright.
| Combination | Same compartment? | Minimum separation | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 × servokabel gelijk | Ja / yes | — | Symmetrisch plaatsen |
| Servo + encoder | Nee / no | 1 vak | EMC |
| Signaal + bus | Ja / yes | — | Gelijke diameter |
| Kabel + hydraulische slang | Nee / no | 1 vak | Diameter varieert |
| Twee lagen | — | Hoogteverdeler | +2–3 mm hoogte |
Frequently asked questions
- Can I change the compartment layout later?
- Yes, separators are individual parts and can be moved per link as long as the chain is openable. Always order separators per series; they are not interchangeable.
- How many separators do I need per metre?
- Fitted in every link that is 1000 / pitch. At 33 mm pitch, roughly 30 sets per metre; every second link is half that.
- Are metal separators necessary for EMC?
- Not always. Properly shielded cables with a good shield connection at both ends matter more. Metal separators do help on long chains with many drives close together.
Read next
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.