Published: 2026-08-22
The bending radius of a cable is the most easily overlooked yet most life-affecting parameter in the selection process. If the bend is too tight during installation, the cable may look fine, but the conductor and shielding layer are already 'internally damaged,' and a failure can occur after a few months.
The unit of bending radius is "times the outer diameter" (D). For fixed cable installations, it is generally required to be no less than 6-8D, while for movable installations (drag chains, reels) it is 4-7.5D, depending on the specific structure. When installing, pay attention to:
The bending radius at turns should be calculated based on the outer diameter of the cable, not estimated based on the inner diameter of the cable tray.
Multi-core cables have a larger bending radius than single-core cables of the same cross-section because their internal structure is more complex.
In low-temperature environments, the sheath hardens, so the bending radius should be appropriately increased.
In situations of repeated bending, the bending radius should preferably be large rather than small. For every decrease of 1D, the lifespan may be halved.
A practical tip: Before installation, let the cable rest at ambient temperature for a while before bending it to avoid hard bending at low temperatures; add protective sleeves at bending points or use a cable model with greater flexibility.
Selection Recommendation: When selecting mobile equipment, consider the 'minimum bending radius' as one of the core indicators. Shanghai Suoqi mobile cables (drag chain, reel, flat cables) are all designed with a small bending radius and support on-site condition calculations.
About Shanghai Suoqi
Shanghai Suoqi Electric Wire & Cable Co., Ltd. is a specialized cable enterprise focusing on the research and development, design, production, and sales of special flexible cables. The company's products cover a series including reel cables, flat cables, drag chain cables, encoder cables, polyurethane cables, seawater-resistant cables, seawater-resistant network cables, and high-altitude vehicle cables, which are widely used in ports machinery, mining, industrial automation, marine engineering, and other fields. For more product information or inquiries, please call 13311756197 (same number on WeChat).