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e-loop® modular top drive cable carrier
An alternative to service loops
For the cable guidance in top drive systems, manufacturers and operators have used hanging cable assemblies called "service loops". However, these often create problems. The cables have no guidance, no defined bend radius, can slip in the service loop and in the worst cases, break. In extremely windy conditions, the freely hanging service loop can get caught in the mast, on the sensors, or in the lighting system. This could cause critical damage requiring the replacement of the entire cable package. igus® has developed the e-loop® so that cables with large cross sections and high weights can be safely guided in suspended applications.
The e-loop® combines the advantages of a plastic e-chain® with those of a high-strength tension cable. The tensile forces are transmitted to the mounting bracket and the structure through the tensile cable inside the e-chain®. The e-loop® is not only used in the oil and gas industry, but also in the offshore industry, onshore power supply, in construction machinery and in wind turbines.
e-loop® was the 2025 winner of the prestigious ASME Annual Woelfel Best Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award.
Advantages of e-loop®
- Modular e-loop® design can open & close when needed for easy maintenance
- Every link is individually replaceable
- Cable-friendly two-chamber interior separation design
- Protects against impact due to robust PU outer body
- Offers operational reliability due to secondary locking tension of all bolted connections
- Special mounting brackets for quick, easy installation
- Dirt and weather-resistant
- 4 year e-chain® cable carrier guarantee
How is the e-loop® constructed?
- The inner body consists of four injection molded parts. Two of these parts form the crossbar in the chain link and are screwed together (so that they cannot be lost). The screw connection clamps them onto the hauling rope.
- Outer protectors made of impact-absorbing PU ensure that the e-chain® and the interior cables are protected in the event of hard impacts.
- The individual chain links are clamped onto the high strength hauling rope. The rope itself is made of plastic fiber and has a permissible tensile load of 50kN.
- The mounting brackets of the e-loop® are stable steel mounting brackets. The plastic fiber rope, which absorbs the entire tensile force of the e-loop®, is integrated into them.
e-loop® use cases
Families of e-loop®
Dynamic, full-webbed | for almost all applications
| Part No. | Inner width Bi [mm] | Outer width Ba [mm] | Bend radius [mm] | Max filling weight [kg/m]¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP.220.01.D | 150 | 220 | 380 | 50 |
| ELP.300.01.D | 230 | 300 | 500 | 50 |
| ELP.430.01.D | 360 | 430 | 625 | 70 |
| ELP.TD.300.* | 230 | 300 | 500 | 50 |
Static, semi-rigid | for purely static cable routing
| Part No. | Inner width Bi [mm] | Outer width Ba [mm] | Bend radius [mm] | Max filling weight [kg/m]¹ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELP.220.01.S | 150 | 220 | 175 | 50 |
| ELP.300.01.S | 230 | 300 | 210 | 50 |
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 4 year 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 weathering and vibration at 150,000DH
- Protects against impact due to robust PU outer body
- Delivery time from 6 weeks
Sustainability
- Have your e-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.
The e-loop® can be used in the following branches of industry:
e-loop® FAQ
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.
The e-loop® 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 fiber and is therefore shatter-proof, weather-resistant, flexible and corrosion-free.
Unhook, lay down, unscrew, exchange cable(s), screw shut, and remount. That's all of the maintenance required thanks to the simple modular setup of the e-chain®. For the rarest of cases, you should always have a replacement chain at hand to avoid downtime.
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, Orange Services, is happy to take care of the assembly.
The individual chain links are all secured with screw connections, so that no component can fall down.
CFSPECIAL5, the first TopDrive cables with DNV approval. It is a high-quality, modular family of cables is being created that are exactly matched to this application, guarantee maximum durability, and reduce of costs by approx. 35% due to waiving the need to manufacture one-off products for projects.
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