High-Flex Drag Chain Cable for Continuous Motion | Oil-Resistant & Shielded

Category:

Flexible Drag Chain Cable – Continuous Flex, Shielded, Oil-Resistant

Engineered for high-duty cycles in cable carriers, our flexible drag chain cable delivers consistent power and signal transmission under continuous reciprocating motion. It is intended for installation in dry or damp indoor environments where the cable moves freely without tensile stress or forced guidance. Typical applications include woodworking machinery, CNC machine tools, material handling systems, automated logistics lines, overhead cranes, and hoisting equipment.

Key Performance Features

  • Bending life: rated for over 5 million flex cycles in motion, making it ideal for high-speed moving parts.

  • EMI shielding: tinned copper braid with ≥80% coverage effectively suppresses electromagnetic interference.

  • Environmental resistance: oil-resistant, water-resistant, UV-stabilized, abrasion-resistant, and flame-retardant jacket.

  • Wide temperature range: suitable for fixed installations down to -50 °C and mobile installations from -5 °C up to +90 °C.

  • Versatile voltage rating: 300/300 V for conductor cross-section <0.5 mm²; 300/500 V for ≥0.5 mm².

Cable Construction

Component Specification
Conductor Ultra-fine stranded bare (oxygen-free) copper according to VDE 0295 Class 6 / IEC 60228 Class 6
Core insulation Special blended PVC
Core identification For ≤0.5 mm²: brown, black, blue, violet, pink, orange. For ≥0.5 mm²: black cores with white numerals; 3-core and above include a green/yellow ground (optional)
Inner sheath Low-viscosity, tough-extruded PVC, oil-resistant
Shielding Tinned copper braid, ≥80% coverage
Outer sheath Special modified PVC, oil-resistant and flame-retardant. Standard colors: black (RAL 9005), grey (RAL 7001), or orange (RAL 2003)

Electrical & Mechanical Specifications

  • Rated voltage
    Conductor cross-section <0.5 mm²: 300/300 V
    Conductor cross-section ≥0.5 mm²: 300/500 V

  • Test voltage: 2000 V

  • Temperature range
    Fixed installation: -50 °C to +90 °C
    Flexing installation: -5 °C to +90 °C

  • Minimum bending radius
    Fixed installation: 5 × outer cable diameter
    Flexing installation:
    Travel distance <10 m → 8 × outer diameter
    Travel distance ≥10 m → 10 × outer diameter

  • Compliance
    Conductor design meets VDE 0295 Class 6. The finished cable carries CE marking under the Low Voltage Directive and is RoHS compliant.


FAQ – Flexible Drag Chain Cables

What is the expected service life in a cable carrier application?
Under correct installation and within specified bending radii and acceleration limits, this cable exceeds 5 million bending cycles. Actual life depends on stroke length, speed, and environmental factors.

Can I use this cable outdoors or in wet environments?
The jacket is oil-resistant, water-resistant, and UV-stabilized, making it suitable for occasional outdoor exposure. However, it is primarily designed for indoor dynamic applications. For permanent outdoor or submersible use, please contact us for a dedicated outdoor-rated or submersible cable.

Are shielded and unshielded versions available?
This product features a tinned copper braid shield as standard. If you require an unshielded variant or a shield with higher coverage, we can custom-engineer the design. Contact our engineering team with your specifications.

What core color codes are available for multicore configurations?
Cores ≤0.5 mm² follow a color code (brown, black, blue, violet, pink, orange). For ≥0.5 mm², black cores with white numbers are standard. A green/yellow grounding core is optional for 3-core and above. Custom coding can be provided on request.

Can I order with a different jacket color or material?
Yes. The standard jacket colors are black, grey, and orange. We can also formulate special PVC or PUR jackets for enhanced chemical, abrasion, or temperature resistance. A minimum order quantity may apply for non-standard compounds or colors.

Do you offer pre-assembled harnesses or cut-to-length service?
We supply cables in bulk, cut-to-length, and can incorporate labeling, coiling, or shrink-wrapped packaging to match your project needs. For complete drag chain assemblies with connectors, please inquire.