Drag chains are a reliable and robust method of managing cables, hoses and conductors on moving machinery and automated equipment. Designed to guide and protect electrical cables and pneumatic lines throughout the full range of machine movement, they prevent tangling, snagging and premature wear that can lead to costly downtime and safety risks on the factory floor.
Equipment used in industrial settings such as warehouses, manufacturing plants and offshore oil rigs is often specially made or heavy duty, which means any damage can be costly to put right. Cabling is particularly vulnerable, since it’s exposed to constant movement and the risk of snagging or crushing during operation.
This is where drag chains come in. Resembling a flexible robotic arm in appearance, they form a protective, moving shield around cables and hoses, guiding them safely through the machine’s full range of motion and shielding them from nearby activity.
Here’s what you need to know about drag chains, and how to order them for your business operations.
Alternative Names For Drag Chains
- Cable carriers
- Cable chains
- Cable drag chains
- Cable track
- Energy trains
What Are Drag Chains Used For?
Drag chains are used to guide, support and protect the likes of cables, hoses and hydraulic lines when in motion. Without drag chains, the potential for such structures to become tangled or damaged would be high.
Therefore, drag chains help to extend the life of cables, hoses and hydraulic lines. After all, if a cable is tangled, it can require a huge effort to manually untangle the cables, and in the process, the pressure from the tangle itself can weaken the cables. If the cable has been completely severed a fix is sometimes possible but cannot be guaranteed, therefore the only option would be to carry out a full replacement of the cable.
From a health and safety perspective, keeping cables protected and in a position where someone cannot trip over them also reduces the likelihood of injury. After all, a trip or fall is bad enough in any environment, but if there is a potential for the person to knock into heavy machinery, come into contact with chemicals, or even if the location is off-shore meaning medical help is not as readily available, this can all dramatically increase the risk factor for your employees, not to mention push up insurance costs.
Likewise, given drag chains can carry a variety of substances including gases and fluids, if there were to be a leak this could have disastrous consequences depending on the contents of the substance. Why take the risk, when drag chains provide a safe and easy solution that’s built with your operation needs in mind?
Drag Chain Benefits
- Built to last
- Extends the lifespan of cables
- Increased safety for employees
- Reduced downtime
- Reduced costs
- Suitable for a wide variety of industries
- Steel drag chains can carry electricity, gases and fluids simultaneously
- Various designs available
What Are Heavy Duty Cable Drag Chains?
Heavy duty cable drag chains are an industrial cable management system designed to carry and protect electrical cables, hydraulic hoses and pneumatic lines on machinery where one part moves repeatedly relative to another. The chain is made up of a series of interlinked steel or reinforced plastic links that form a self-supporting channel, guiding cables through the full range of machine travel without allowing them to droop, tangle or become snagged in moving parts.
The “heavy duty” description refers to chains built for the most demanding end of the application range. Typically, these applications involve high dynamic loads, long travel distances, fast cycle speeds or exposure to aggressive environmental conditions such as metal swarf, coolants, high temperatures or heavy impact. In these situations, standard plastic cable carriers are not suitable. Instead, steel construction is required to maintain structural integrity over the working life of the installation.
Some of the most common use cases for heavy duty cable drag chains include overhead cranes, gantry systems, large CNC machine tools, automated press lines, steel mill equipment and port handling machinery. In short, anywhere that cables need to travel reliably and repeatedly over thousands of operating cycles without maintenance intervention.
How To Choose The Right Size Drag Chain
Getting cable drag chains sizes right is essential for protecting cables and avoiding premature failure of the chain itself. There are three main measurements to work out before ordering.
Inner height and width
The inner height and width need to accommodate the full cable and hose bundle with some spare capacity, typically a fill ratio of around 60 to 70%. Packing the chain too tightly causes cables to rub against each other and against the chain walls during flexing, while too much empty space allows cables to shift, twist and wear unevenly.
Bend radius
Drag chains are manufactured in fixed minimum bend radii, commonly ranging from around 28mm up to 100mm or more. The bend radius needed depends on the space available for the chain to travel and flex, as well as the minimum bend radius the cables inside can tolerate without damage. Cable manufacturers usually specify this figure, and it should always be checked against the chain’s rated radius.
Travel length
For longer travel distances, the chain needs sufficient strength and rigidity to support its own weight and that of the cable bundle without sagging, particularly on unsupported or gliding installations. Pitch, link design and material all affect how a chain performs over distance, so travel length should be confirmed alongside the other measurements before an order is placed.
Suppliers can advise on the correct size once bundle diameter, bend radius and travel length are known, so it’s worth having these figures ready when getting in touch.
Maintenance And Lifespan
How long a drag chain lasts depends largely on the application, but well specified chains used within their rated bend radius and travel speed typically perform reliably for several years, even in continuous duty cycles. Wear is usually gradual rather than sudden, showing first as stiffness in the joints or minor abrasion on the outer links before any functional failure occurs.
Routine checks help catch this early. Look for cracked or discoloured links, cables pinching at the bend points and any signs the chain is dragging along the floor rather than gliding cleanly through its travel path, as this indicates incorrect support or an undersized chain for the application. Keeping the chain free of swarf, dust and debris, and confirming fixing points remain secure, will also help extend service life.
Where chains operate in harsher conditions, such as high temperatures, exposure to coolants or oils, or fast repetitive cycles, wear will accelerate and shorter inspection intervals are recommended. Replacing individual links where a chain design allows this can also be more cost effective than replacing the full assembly.
Get A Free Quote For Metreel Drag Chains UK
Metreel is a leading supplier of drag chains. We’re based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire covering the UK and beyond.
All of our drag chains can be supplied in a variety of configurations. With over 50 years in business, we’re proud to have installations spanning the globe, including our drag chains.
We custom make drag chains for a wide variety of industries including general industry, the oil and gas industry. Using only the highest grade of materials for both your safety and satisfaction, we can also offer a range of delivery and installation options depending on your requirements.
If you would like to find out more about our drag chains, or if you’re interested in any other of the services we provide, please give us a call on 0115 932 7010, or drop us an email.
Alternatively, check out the Metreel Brochure to discover our full range of products and services.