Cables · Moving applications
Cables for moving applications: drag chain, robot and elevator
Flexible cables for continuously moving machine axes, robot arms and elevator cars. Datwyler elevator travelling cables and flexible Ethernet cables, Belden Xtra-Guard Flex control and data cables, with series tables and part numbers.
- Datwyler FL · FM · FH elevator cables
- Drag chain Ethernet
- Belden Xtra-Guard Flex
- Up to 14 million flex cycles
- Torsion types
We combine Datwyler and Belden products in a single quotation and ship worldwide from our warehouses in Germany and Turkey.
Request a quote by part number Help me choose the right cable
Which cable for which movement
In a moving application the cable is selected by the type of movement. A fixed-installation cable in a drag chain or an elevator shaft soon fails through conductor breakage or a torn jacket. The table below matches the movement to a suitable cable family.
| Type of movement | Typical application | First value to check | Suitable family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free hanging under an elevator car | Passenger, goods and panoramic elevators | Free suspension length, travelling height, speed | Datwyler FL, FM, FH |
| Rolling flex, drag chain | CNC axes, gantry and Cartesian robots, automated storage | Flex cycles, speed, acceleration, travel length | Datwyler CU 5431 (Ethernet); Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 85000 and 86000 |
| Torsion | Six-axis robot wrist, rotary table | Torsion angle, cycles | Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 87000 |
| Bending | Hinged covers, cabinet doors, folding arms | Bend radius | Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 65000 |
| Occasional movement | Connections inside machines, lines moved during service | Conductor stranding, jacket | Datwyler CU 7702, CU 7727, CU 5722 |
Datwyler elevator travelling cables
Datwyler flat elevator cables carry power, control, data and video between the car and the landing controller in one cable. The flat design hangs in a clean loop in the shaft without twisting. Selection follows the building height: FL for low-rise, FM for mid-rise and FH for high-rise buildings. Every family is available with a PVC or halogen-free (FRNC, low fire hazard) jacket and complies with EN 50214.
| Family | Support member | Max. free suspension | Max. travelling height | Max. speed | Jacket | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Datwyler FL | None | 45 m | 80 m | 4 m/s | PVC · FRNC |
|
Datwyler FM | High-tensile fibre or steel | 80 m | 150 m | 6.3 m/s | PVC · FRNC |
 |
Datwyler FH | Steel | 220 m | 400 m | 12 m/s | PVC · FRNC |
Power cores (0.75 to 2.5 mm²), shielded pairs and quads, 75 Ω coax, Cat.6 data cables and multimode fibre can be combined in one cable. For cars with cameras, displays and a data network, the FM multimedia cable combines two Cat.6A data cables and four OM3 fibres in the same flat cable.
Frequently requested Datwyler elevator cable types
| Datwyler article | Family | Construction | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Datwyler 181658 | FL · PVC | 3 G 1.50 + 9 × 0.75 + 3 × 2 × 0.50 mm² (FTP) |
|
Datwyler 185358 | FL · PVC | 12 G 0.75 mm² + 1 coax 75 Ω |
|
Datwyler 181023 | FL · PVC | 3 G 2.50 + 14 × 1.00 + 4 × 2 × 0.34 mm² (FTP) |
|
Datwyler 182298 | FL · PVC | 4 G 2.50 + 12 × 1.00 + 2 × 2 × 0.34 mm² (FTP) + 1 coax 75 Ω |
|
Datwyler 191032 | FL · PVC | 4 × Cat.6 (4 × 2 × AWG 26, S/FTP) |
|
Datwyler 191111 | FL · FRNC | 12 G 0.75 + 3 × 2 × 0.50 mm² (FTP) |
|
Datwyler 192485 | FL · FRNC | 4 × Cat.6 (4 × 2 × AWG 26, S/FTP) |
|
Datwyler 196479 | FM · PVC, multimedia | 3 × 1.50 + 2 × Cat.6A (4 × 2 × AWG 23, FTP) + 4 OM3 fibres |
|
Datwyler 185127 | FM · FRNC | 12 G 1.00 + 1 coax 75 Ω |
|
Datwyler 191094 | FM · FRNC | 3 G 2.50 + 14 × 1.00 + 4 × 2 × 0.50 mm² (FTP) |
|
Datwyler 157219 | FH · PVC | 40 × 0.75 mm² |
|
Datwyler 186276 | FH · PVC | 12 G 2.00 + 30 × 1.00 + 7 × 2 × 0.50 (FTP) + 3 × 4 × 0.50 mm² (STQ) |
|
Datwyler 184646 | FH · PVC | 5 G 2.50 + 7 × 1.50 + 16 × 1.00 + 4 × 2 × 0.75 mm² (FTP) + 4 fibres |
|
Datwyler 191483 | FH · FRNC | 10 G 2.50 + 7 × 1.50 + 6 × 1.00 + 12 × 2 × 0.75 mm² (FTP) + 4 fibres G50/125 |
|
Datwyler 192313 | FH · FRNC | 12 G 0.75 + 24 × 2 × 0.75 mm² (FTP) + 1 coax 75 Ω |
The table is a selection from Datwyler’s current range; each family offers more constructions. Send us the shaft height, the speed and the signals going to the car, and we will select the right article. We also quote Datwyler suspension devices (LZ 1006, LZ 1009, LZ 1010, LZ 4001) together with the cable.
Datwyler flexible industrial Ethernet cables
Datwyler flexible cables for Ethernet and PROFINET links inside machines and robot cells. CU 5431 is designed for continuous movement in drag chains; the flex types with stranded conductors suit lines that move occasionally.
| Datwyler type | Datwyler article | Construction | Jacket | Movement | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
CU 5431 4P HFLEX Industrial PUR UL | 24015800EK | Cat.5e, SF/UTP, 4 × 2 × AWG 26/19 | PUR, oil resistant | Drag chain | 5 million cycles; up to 3 m/s and 3 m/s²; dynamic bend radius 83 mm |
 |
CU 5722 2P flex PROFINET Type B PUR UL | 24016200EK | Cat.5e, SF/UTP, 1 × 4 × AWG 22/7 | PUR | Occasional movement | PROFINET Type B; −40…+80 °C operating |
 |
CU 7702 4P flex TC Industrial PUR | 18768800EK · UL version: 19466600EK | Cat.7, S/FTP, 4 × 2 × AWG 26/7 | PUR | Occasional movement | Machine wiring and industrial patch cords |
 |
CU 7727 4P flex Industrial FRNC UL | 19467900DK | Cat.7, S/FTP, 4 × 2 × AWG 27/7 | Halogen-free (FRNC/LSZH) | Occasional movement | Indoor areas that require a halogen-free jacket |
Connectors and cable assemblies for these cables are on our industrial network connectivity page.
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex control and data cables for moving applications
Xtra-Guard Flex is the moving-application cable family of Belden’s Alpha Wire brand and is now offered as Belden Xtra-Guard Flex. Belden is retiring the MachFlex line and bringing its moving-application cables together in this single family. Alpha Wire part numbers stay unchanged, so you can order with the numbers already in your specifications. Belden provides a 10-year product warranty for this family.
| Series | Movement | Flex cycles | Voltage | Jacket | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
65000 · standard flex | Bending, light to moderate movement | Up to 1 million | 600 V | Oil-resistant PVC |
 |
85000 · continuous flex, control | Drag chains, Cartesian axes | Up to 14 million | 600 V | PVC |
 |
86000 · continuous flex, data | Signal and data lines in the chain | Up to 6 million | 300 V | PVC |
 |
87000 · torsion | Robot wrists, rotary tables | Up to 1 million | 600 V | Polyurethane (TPU) |
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex cables are supplied to order and are not sold in cut lengths. The minimum reel length is 30 m.
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex part numbers
| Part number | Series | Construction | Shield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 65104 | 65000 | 10 AWG, 4 conductors | Unshielded |
 |
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 65850 | 65000 | 18 AWG, 50 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 85204 | 85000 | 12 AWG, 4 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 85634 | 85000 | 16 AWG, 34 conductors | Unshielded |
 |
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 85007CY | 85000 | 20 AWG, 7 conductors | Shielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 86002 | 86000 | 28 AWG, 2 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 86203 | 86000 | 24 AWG, 3 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 86307 | 86000 | 22 AWG, 7 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 86312 | 86000 | 22 AWG, 12 conductors | Unshielded |
 |
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 86003CY | 86000 | 28 AWG, 3 conductors | Foil shielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 86164CY | 86000 | 16 AWG, 4 conductors | Foil shielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 87104 | 87000 | 22 AWG, 4 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 87304 | 87000 | 18 AWG, 4 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 87403 | 87000 | 16 AWG, 3 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 87507 | 87000 | 14 AWG, 7 conductors | Unshielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 87604 | 87000 | 12 AWG, 4 conductors | Unshielded |
 |
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 87107CY | 87000 | 22 AWG, 7 conductors | Shielded |
|
Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 87207CY | 87000 | 20 AWG, 7 conductors | Shielded |
The table is a selection of frequently requested numbers; the family covers 2 to 80 conductors and 28 AWG to 2 AWG. Send us the number you need and we will confirm it.
For MachFlex users
The Belden MachFlex line (for example 7200A–7203A) is being retired. For the same applications we recommend Belden Xtra-Guard Flex. Send us your MachFlex number and the type of movement, and we will name the matching Xtra-Guard Flex part number. The same note appears on our RS-485, RS-422 and HART pages, which list MachFlex numbers.
Key values when selecting a cable for movement
- Flex cycles. The number of back-and-forth movements the cable survives in the manufacturer’s test at a given bend radius, speed and travel length. Harder conditions in the real application shorten the service life.
- Bend radius. The minimum radius in moving use is larger than for fixed installation and is usually given as a multiple of the outer diameter. The inner radius of the chain should not be smaller.
- Speed and acceleration. For drag chain axes and elevators, the maximum speed and acceleration are specified separately.
- Conductor stranding. Moving cables use finely stranded (class 5–6) conductors. Solid or coarse-stranded conductors break quickly under continuous movement.
- Jacket. PUR and TPU offer the best resistance to abrasion, oil and cutting. PVC is common in economical, oil-resistant types. Indoor areas may require a halogen-free (FRNC/LSZH) jacket.
- Shield. Signal and data lines near servo drives and frequency converters should be shielded. A shield designed for movement differs from a fixed-installation shield.
Drag chain, cable carrier, energy chain and C-track are different names for the same device.
Frequently asked questions about cables for moving applications
Can a fixed-installation cable be used in a drag chain?
It is not recommended. The conductor and lay of a fixed-installation cable are not designed for continuous movement; conductor breakage, shield fracture and jacket wear follow.
What does the flex-cycle rating mean for my application?
It is the life achieved under the manufacturer’s test conditions. Send us the travel length, speed, acceleration and chain radius of your application, and we will assess whether the selected cable is suitable.
What is the difference between Datwyler FL, FM and FH elevator cables?
The difference lies in the support member and therefore in the permitted free suspension. FL has no support member and is used up to 45 m free suspension. FM is rated for 80 m, and the steel-supported FH for 220 m free suspension and 400 m travelling height.
PVC or halogen-free (FRNC) for elevator cables?
The fire requirements of the building and the project decide. A halogen-free jacket produces less smoke and corrosive gas in a fire and is preferred in enclosed and crowded areas.
Can I order with Alpha Wire Xtra-Guard Flex part numbers?
Yes. Xtra-Guard Flex is now offered under the Belden name and the part numbers have not changed.
What replaces Belden MachFlex?
The MachFlex line is being retired. Depending on the movement, we recommend a part number from the Belden Xtra-Guard Flex 85000, 86000 or 87000 series.
Is Belden Xtra-Guard Flex sold in cut lengths?
No. These cables are supplied to order with a minimum reel length of 30 m.
Why these brands?
- Datwyler. Flat elevator cable families for low-, mid- and high-rise buildings; constructions that combine power, data, coax and fibre in one cable, plus suspension devices.
- Belden. Xtra-Guard Flex with four series for bending, continuous flex and torsion; up to 14 million flex cycles and a 10-year product warranty.
Why PROTEL?
- Two brands. We are an authorised Belden distributor and a general distributor of Datwyler.
- Selection support. Tell us the movement, the speed and the signals to be carried, and we will recommend a model with our reasoning.
- Worldwide sales. Shipped from our warehouses in Germany and Turkey.
Request a quote
- If you know the part number: the part number, total length and delivery address are enough.
- If you do not: describe the movement, the travel length, the speed and the signals the cable must carry, and we will recommend a suitable model.
- For elevator projects: the shaft height, the elevator speed and the power, data and video lines to the car are enough.
Datwyler product images and technical data © Datwyler IT Infra; Belden and Alpha Wire product images and technical data © Belden Inc.; used with the manufacturers’ permission. The manufacturer’s current datasheet is binding. Sources: datwyler-itinfra.com, belden.com, alphawire.com