chainflex bus cables save costs with new 300V UL approval

The new 300V UL voltage class of chainflex bus cables provides design flexibility in the routing of the energy chain and thus saves costs. (Source: igus GmbH)

By increasing the voltage to 300V, users can now place the chainflex bus cables directly next to lines with a higher voltage level. Previously, according to the requirements of the testing organization UL, all cables with different voltage classes had to be laid separately. With the increased and UL-approved new voltage class, the user optimizes their technology, saving costs as well as time for the energy chain design.

The Underwriters Laboratories (short: UL) are an independent organization in the USA that tests various products for safety. The regulations regarding fire protection are very strict. Only tested products receive the UL certificate, ensuring easy worldwide distribution of machines and systems. Concerning cables, UL requires that all cables with different voltage classes in an energy guide must always be mechanically separated. Therefore, the construction previously required a lot of time for the design of the energy chain as well as costs. To reduce this effort and improve the technology, igus has now increased the UL voltage for its chainflex bus cables CF888, CFBUS.PVC, CF898, and CFBUS.PUR from 30V to 300V and obtained UL certification. This allows cables with the same voltage level to be laid directly next to each other. Separation of the cables is no longer necessary. “And this can reduce the size of the chain and decrease the installation effort for separation brackets,” explains Rainer Rösell, Business Area Manager for chainflex cables at igus.

Bus cables withstand 17 million double bends in testing

The bus cables are available in four cable qualities with PVC or PUR outer jackets. This ensures that the user always receives the technically best and simultaneously cost-effective cable that functions in motion. The durability of the 300V UL bus cables was also demonstrated in igus’s own 3,800 square meter testing laboratory. Here, the motion plastics expert tests all their products until total failure. In a test with the CFBUS.PUR.049 bus cable, with a bending radius of 10.3 x d, it withstood 17 million double bends. Thanks to numerous test series, igus can offer a unique 36-month warranty on all chainflex cables. For easy and quick selection of the technically best cable at a cost-effective price, the chainflex lifespan calculator is recommended. Users can simply enter the environmental parameters of their application and immediately receive information on the lifespan as well as a price comparison of the different cable qualities.