e-loop® modular energy chain system

In order to safely and reliably guide cables and hoses in hanging applications, igus developed the e-loop as an alternative to the service loop - ideal for 3-dimensional applications.

The e-loop combines the advantages of a plastic energy chain with those of a high-strength pull rope. Inside the chain, the rope transfers the pull forces to the mounting brackets and the structure. As a result, the cables are kept completely relieved of strain.

The modular e-chain made of high-performance polymer always enables a defined bend radius and easily copes with vibrations and impacts.

To the e-loop iSet

Tech up

Modular system, easy to open
No loose parts with optional screw lock
Maximum cable/hose outer diameter up to 76mm or 500mm bend radius
Protects against impact due to robust PU outer body
Offers operational reliability due to secondary locking tension of all bolted connections
Resistant to dirt
An optional "drop safe" version is also available, with additional screw locking - as well as a stainless steel version
Weather-resistant

Cost down

Easy maintenance
Mounting brackets for easy and fast installation
All components are individually replaceable
Cable-friendly two-chamber interior separation system
Fail-safe cables with 36 months guarantee

Proof

Permitted 50kN operating load of the plastic rope
Resistance to vibration and weather tested in the laboratory
Shock-resistant and shatter-proof
Structure of the e-loop is "Drop Safe" due to double screw locking of the parts
Design based on the standard e-loop, which has already demonstrated its resistance to weather and vibration at 150,000DH
Protects against impact due to robust PU outer body
Delivery time from 6 weeks

Sustainability

Have your energy chain recycled at the end
of its life cycle with the igus chainge recycling program. No matter what manufacturer.
igus has been an investor in Mura Technology from the beginning and is helping advance chemical recycling. From plastic waste to crude oil in 20 minutes.

White papers

e-loop cable guidance in vertical drilling rigs

A newly developed alternative to the service loops on vertical drilling rigs offers significantly longer service life under extremely unfavourable environmental conditions.

Download now

Application solutions with the e-loop

Originally developed for
a very special application in deep-drilling rigs, the e-loop was used a short time after it was launched in such applications as bucket wheel excavators, ship unloaders, and offshore wind turbines. This white paper outlines various use cases to provide inspiration.

Download now

Structure of the e-loop

The interior consists of four injection-moulded parts. Two of them form the crossbar in the chain link and are screwed on (captively). Due to being screwed on, they are clamped onto the pull rope,

External protectors made of impact-absorbing PU protector material ensure that the energy chain and the cables are protected when hard impacts occur.

The individual chain links are clamped onto the high-strength pull rope. The rope itself is a plastic-fibre rope and its permissible tensile load is 50kN.

The mounting brackets of the e-loop are high-strength steel mounting brackets. The plastic-fibre rope, which absorbs the entire tensile force of the e-loop, is an integral part of the brackets.

Assembly of two chain links of the e-loop

e-loop in the factory

e-loop product range as an alternative to the service loop

NEW: e-loop for top drive applications

The new e-loop ELP.TD.300 is a four-part design for hanging top-drive applications. Cables in hanging top-drive applications are protected and safely routed. Cables can be easily filled through side opening. Other advantages include: easy maintenance, long service life, vibration-sensitive and weather-resistant.

Dynamic, crossbars every link:

Part No.	InnerØ	OuterØ	Bend radius	Cable ≤ ø
ELP.TD.300.*	230mm	300mm	500mm	75mm	Requests

* Available from spring 2022

220mm - dynamic, crossbars every link

Part No.	InnerØ	OuterØ	Bend radius	Weight
ELP.220.01.D	150mm	220mm	380mm	≈ 18kg/m	Requests

220mm - static, with crossbars every 2nd link

Part No.	InnerØ	OuterØ	Bend radius	Weight
ELP.220.01.S	150mm	220mm	175mm	≈11kg/m	Requests

300mm - dynamic, crossbars every link

Part No.	InnerØ	OuterØ	Bend radius	Weight
ELP.300.01.D	230mm	300mm	500mm	≈22kg/m	Requests

300mm - static, with crossbars every 2nd link

Part No.	InnerØ	OuterØ	Bend radius	Weight
ELP.300.01.S	230mm	300mm	210mm	≈13kg/m	Requests

430mm - dynamic, crossbars every link

Part No.	InnerØ	OuterØ	Bend radius	Weight
ELP.430.01.D	360mm	430mm	625mm	≈32.4kg/m	Requests

e-loop with rollers

Rollers under the e-loop for easier movement on the ground. One application example can be the generation of power for ships in ports.

e-loop with grip module

Makes transport/travel of the e-loop system easier, e.g. on ECI plants, and simplifies the handling in combination with rollers.

Request a project with an e-loop now

Load and break test of the e-loop

igus performs application-specific tests in the in-house laboratory for a long-lasting energy supply.

Load test of e-loop
Continuous test of a completely harnessed e-loop with cable filling for 500t top drive. The test is carried out in the open air with all environmental influences as well as simulation of wind and vibrations.

Result: In the meantime, the test has run 40,000 double strokes. All influences due to weather do not affect the functionality of the e-loop. Side impacts, bumps or vibrations do not bother the e-loop.

Break test of the e-loop
Test setup: the e-loop is dropped from a height of 10 metres onto a vault and hits it with full force.

Result: the test proves that the e-loop withstands the collision without problems; its design is resistant to shocks and is shatter-proof.

The most fascinating projects with e-loop

Full functionality in spite of a snowstorm - top drive

For a Canadian oil drilling company, an e-loop energy chain solution from igus guarantees that the top drive, which lowers the drill pipe into the earth and pulls it out again, is always safely and reliably supplied with energy and signals even after heavy storms.

Find out more

Bucket wheel excavators

The e-loop is used in a bucket wheel excavator made by Holcim (Germany) GmbH. The modular system made of high-performance plastic always enables a defined bend radius and can handle vibration and impacts. Instead of the planned eight hours of installation time, work with the e-loop was completed after just four hours.

Find out more

Top Drive System

The e-loop modular energy chain system is being used in a drilling rig in the oil and gas industry. The igus e-loop has made it possible to improve the service life of the drilling rig and considerably reduce costs. In addition, the cables in the mast can no longer become tangled.

Find out more

The e-loop can be used in the following branches of industry:

Offshore

Oil and gas industry

e-loop in the area of shore-power supply

Shore power connections

Construction machinery

Wind power stations

e-loop questions and answers

How can I guide energy reliably and safely in heavy duty applications? What alternative is there to service loops and umbilicals?
igus has developed the e-loop as an alternative to the service loop so that cables with large cross sections and heavy weights can be guided safely in hanging applications. The energy supply system is a round, three-dimensional modular system that can move strain-relieved cables with a defined bend radius. The cables can be used individually and replaced in case of maintenance. The chain links are also replaceable at any time.

How does the e-loop absorb forces that act on it?
The new energy supply system from igus is built around a high-strength plastic rope that absorbs the tensile forces of the cables. The rope is composed of a synthetic plastic fibre and is therefore shatter-proof, weather-resistant, flexible and corrosion-free.

How can I exchange the cables in the e-loop?
Unhook, lay down, unscrew, exchange cable(s), screw shut, remount. That's all it takes regarding maintenance thanks to the simple modular setup of the energy chain. For the rarest of cases you should always have a replacement chain at hand to avoid downtime.

How does igus deliver the e-loop and how is it installed?
igus delivers the e-loop in the way that you prefer: either completely assembled or fully harnessed, on a drum or on a pallet. There is a defined thread at the end of the e-loop for additional mounting. Our installation team is happy to take care of the assembly.

How are components prevented from falling down?
The individual chain links are all secured with screw connections, so that no component can fall down.