Cable strain relief

Safe ✔ Durable ✔ Reliable ✔

A strain relief for cables is an indispensable element for reliably guiding and protecting cables in industrial applications, mechanical engineering or electronics. A cable strain relief reduces mechanical loads and ensures greater safety, durability and reliability of your cable systems.

Strain relief devices from igus have been specifically developed for use in energy chains and dynamic applications. They fix cables in energy chains and ensure that cables are not torn out. They are designed for a long cable service life and maximum holding force.

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Strain relief for cables in industrial applications

The strain relief of cables is a decisive factor for the safety, durability and reliability of energy supply systems in industrial applications. Particularly in dynamic environments, such as those found in automation technology and mechanical engineering, cables in energy chains are continuously exposed to mechanical loads.

This white paper sheds light on the technical importance of strain relief, presents various technologies and shows how strain relief can increase the operational safety and efficiency of industrial equipment.

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Download white paper now

What types of strain relief does igus offer?

chainfix clamps

Can be integrated into KMA mounting bracket
For up to three cables stacked above one another
Reduced installation height, space-saving
High strength for dynamic applications
For the following energy chain systems: E4 | E6 | for all plastic-metal mounting brackets (KMA) with C profile

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Tiewrap plates

For many applications with medium rates of acceleration
Can be clipped onto some mounting brackets
Can be used as an individual part in switchgear cabinets or in the assembly of machines
For the following energy chain systems: easy chain | E2/000 | E2 tubes | E4 | E6

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Strain relief separators

Can be integrated in the mounting bracket
Strain relief separator can be positioned anywhere as required
For applications with medium accelerations
Easy to fit, cost-effective
For the following energy chain systems: E2/000 | E2 e-tubes | E6 | T3

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Honeycomb strain relief CFU

Strain relief achieved up to 80% faster
Simply insert cables and hoses into the honeycomb and close
Strain relief openable from both sides
Easy to make changes - add or remove cables/hoses
For the following energy chain systems: E2.48 | 3400/3500 | 3450/3480 | R68 | R167/168 | R2.48 | E4.48L/R4.48L | E4.42/H4.42/R4.42 | E61.52 | E6.52/R6.52

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CFV strain relief element

Strain relief for cables can be retrofitted easily, even in the case of closed energy tubes and different plug-in connectors
Easy to retrofit
For the following energy chain systems: E2/000 | R2.1 | E4.1L | E4.1

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Strain relief nuggets

Cost-effective, fast strain relief for easy applications with small space and medium accelerations
For all KMA mounting brackets with C-profile
For the following energy chain systems: For all KMA with C-profile or top-hat (DIN) rails

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Strain relief connector system CFB

For applications with high accelerations and loads e.g. Machine tools
Standard screw connection
Customised production from 1 piece.
For the following energy chain systems: E4 | E6 | for all plastic-metal mounting brackets (KMA) with C profile

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CF.P tensile force monitoring

The CF.P sensor measures the tensile forces on the cables directly at the strain relief
Triggers a shutdown by means of the NC contact if forces are excessive
Permanently increased tensile forces can lead to cable damage and in the worst case, cable fire

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Why is a cable strain relief important?

A strain relief is a mechanical device that prevents tensile forces from acting uncontrolled on cable connections. A strain relief is particularly important in dynamic or heavily stressed applications to prevent damage such as cable breakage or vibrations and shocks.

The right strain relief offers several decisive benefits:

Increased service life of the cables: Reduction of mechanical stress and prevention of cable breaks
Greater operational reliability: Fewer breakdowns due to damaged cables
Economic efficiency: Fewer cable breaks and failures significantly reduce repair and maintenance costs
Better performance: Cables can work more trouble-free, even with long and intensive mechanical use

How does a strain relief work?

A cable feed-through with strain relief secures the cable in the cable gland or plug-in connector. The strain relief ensures that external forces are not transferred to the cables, but are absorbed by the structure on which the strain relief is assembled.

The forces at the contacts in the connector or in the cable are then close to zero. No matter how much the cable moves on the outside, it is at rest on the inside. This protects the contacts and sensitive electronics.

What needs to be considered when it comes to strain relief?

To ensure optimum energy chain performance, the following criteria should be taken into account:

Type and diameter of cables: Flexible cables need different attachments than thick cables
Movement profile of the energy chain: High speed or tight bend radii affect the requirements
Ambient conditions: Temperature, humidity and chemical loads must be taken into account
Assembly requirements: Speed of maintenance or modularity are often key

Why use igus strain relief devices?

igus has established itself as a leading supplier of energy chains and accessories and offers numerous unique selling points that play a decisive role in the choice of strain relief for cables in energy chains. Here are the main reasons why strain relief devices from igus are the better choice for many applications.

Custom made for energy chains
Cable-friendly design
Many years of experience and expertise
Comprehensive tests
Large selection of strain relief devices for energy chains

Minimum gap between the strain relief and the beginning of the bend radius

A series of in-house tests have shown that a small distance between the strain relief and the bend in the energy chain has no negative impact on the durability of chainflex cables. It is therefore possible to integrate a strain relief for cables directly into the mounting bracket. We offer strain relief options, e.g. the chainfix clamps or the space-saving tiewrap plates for almost all energy chains.

Strain relief on one or both sides?

It is known that strain relief can considerably increase the service life of cables and hoses in energy chains. However, an incorrect strain relief can also have the opposite effect. For this reason, operators always ask themselves: should the strain relief be on one side or on both sides? The answer is simple: it depends on the application.

Strain relief on both sides: the cable does not move relative to the chain.
Strain relief on one side: the cables move relative to the chain.

What application cases are relevant?

For most linear movements, you can do nothing wrong with strain relief on both sides. To be on the safe side, however, you must check whether the cables are moving relative to the energy chain. This is the case, for example, during a winding movement when the cables are not in the neutral phase. In such a case, the strain relief must only be provided on one side. On the other side we recommend a strain relief after a so-called cable loop.

Does this also apply to hoses?

Almost, because hoses make the whole thing more complicated even without relative movement. With hoses, a change in length of up to 5% is permissible under pressure. If the expected change in length in the chain is more than 2 to 3cm, we recommend strain relief on one side. Otherwise, the hose can destroy the energy supply system in the inner or outer radius or itself through abrasion.

Tested under realistic conditions, with account being taken of diverse parameters

igus strain relief devices are tested under real-world conditions in the in-house igus laboratory, taking into account many different parameters, whether under the influence of fluids such as water or oil at various ambient temperatures. The interaction between strain relief devices and the different jacket materials of cables and hoses naturally also plays a role during in-house tests