Change Language :
Reliable e-loop® cable guidance for top drives
Weather resistance with easy maintenance, assembly, and disassembly
Getting oil out of the ground requires deep drilling rigs with top drive systems. They often involve extreme conditions: wind and weather, dirt, and harsh handling of systems and equipment affect machine components. For cable guidance, manufacturers and operators have so far relied on service loops, which often entail a number of problems. Cables can move in the service loops, which have no defined bend radius. In extremely windy conditions, the freely hanging service loop can get caught in the mast or lighting system and be torn off. Another problem is that the entire hose package must be replaced if one hose is defective. To reliably guide cables, even those with large cross sections and great weight, in hanging applications, igus has developed the e-loop.
The e-loop® combines the advantages of a plastic energy chain with those of a high-strength tension rope. Inside the energy chain, the rope transfers the pull force to the mounting brackets and the structure. The e-loop is used not only in the oil and gas industry, but also in the offshore industry and for onshore power supply, construction machinery, and wind turbines.
- Guide hoses and cables reliably in a single system
- Resistant to weather and dirt
- Protects against impact due to robust PU outer body
- Cables can be added or replaced, even during operation
- Secondary locking tension for all bolted connections offers great operational reliability
The e-loop received the ASME Woelfel Best Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas.
How the e-loop is designed
1) The interior consists of four injection-moulded parts. Two of them form the crossbar in the chain link and are screwed on (so that they are captive). As they are screwed connections, they are clamped onto the pull rope.
- External protectors made of shock-absorbing PU protector material make sure that the energy chain and the cables are protected in case of severe impacts.
- The individual chain links are clamped onto the high-strength pull rope. The rope itself is a plastic-fibre rope with a permissible tensile load of 50kN.
4) The e-loop's mounting brackets are strong steel mounting brackets. The plastic-fibre rope, which absorbs the e-loop's entire tensile force, is an integral part of the brackets.
To e-loop product selection
Dynamic, crossbars every link | For almost any application
1Applies to chain lengths of up to 50m. Max. additional load for longer energy chains upon request.
| Part No. | Inner width Bi [mm] | Outer width Ba [mm] | Bend radius [mm] | Cable diameter [mm] | Fill weight [kg/m]1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP.220.01.D | 150 | 220 | 380 | 38 | 50 |
| ELP.300.01.D | 230 | 300 | 500 | 75 | 50 |
| ELP.430.01.D | 360 | 430 | 680 | 108 | 70 |
| ELP.TD.300 | 230 | 300 | 500 | 75 | 50 |
Static with crossbars every 2nd link for purely static cable guidance
1Applies to chain lengths of up to 50m. Max. additional load for longer energy chains upon request.
| Part No. | Inner width Bi [mm] | Outer width Ba [mm] | Bend radius [mm] | Cable diameter [mm] | Fill weight [kg/m]1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP.220.01.S | 150 | 220 | 175 | 38 | 50 |
| ELP.300.01.S | 230 | 300 | 210 | 75 | 50 |
The most fascinating projects with e-loop
In-house test laboratory for the e-loop
FAQ - frequently asked questions about e-loop
A service loop is used to guide cables and hoses in hanging applications, e.g. as an energy supply on the top drive. For this purpose, the cables are often cast together in a dress pack.
To ensure that heavy cables with large cross sections can be reliably guided in hanging applications, igus has developed the e-loop as an alternative to the service loop. The energy supply 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 during maintenance. The chain links can also be exchanged at any time.
The new energy supply system from igus is built around a high-tensile plastic rope that absorbs the tensile forces of the cables. The rope is made of a synthetic plastic fibre, so it is shatter-proof, weather-resistant, flexible, and corrosion-free.
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.
igus delivers the e-loop the way you want it: either completely assembled or harnessed, on a drum or 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.
The individual chain links are secured with screw connections so that no components can fall off.
The e-loop is UV-resistant outdoors and lasts for at least six years.
The maximum tensile strength is 50kN.
Consulting
I look forward to answering your questions
Dieter Reitz+49 2203 9649 7070Write e-mail
Shipping and consultation
In person
Monday to Friday: 8 am – 8 pm
Saturday: 8 am – 12 pm
Chat-Service
Monday to Friday: 8 am – 4 pm
WhatsApp-Service
Monday to Friday: 8 am – 4 pm