e-loop^®| modular e-chain^® cable carrier

An alternative to service loops

For the cable guidance in top drive systems of drilling rigs, manufacturers and operators have so far been using so-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 case, break. In extremely windy conditions, the freely hanging service loop can get caught in the mast or on the sensors as well as the lighting system and be critically damaged. Replacement of the entire cable package is necessary.

Advantages of e-loop®

Modular e-loop® can open & close when needed for easy maintenance
Everything 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
36 month e-chain® cable carrier guarantee

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NEW: e-loop® for Top-Drive-applications

The new e-loop®

ELP.TD.300 is a four-part design for hanging top drive applications. Cables in hanging top drive applications are protected and routed safely. Lines can be easily filled through the opening on the side.

Request e-loop® as an alternative to the service loop

Dynamic, crossbars every link:

Part No.	Inner Ø	Outer Ø	Bend radius	Weight
ELP.TD.300.*	230 mm	300 mm	500 mm	≈ 18kg/m	Request
ELP.220.01.D	150 mm	220 mm	380 mm	≈ 18kg/m	Request
ELP.300.01.D	230 mm	300 mm	500 mm	≈ 22kg/m	Request
ELP.430.01.D	3600 mm	430 mm	625 mm	≈ 32.4kg/m	Request

Static, crossbars every other link:

Part No.	Inner Ø	Outer Ø	Bend radius	Weight
ELP.220.01.S	150 mm	220 mm	175 mm	≈ 11kg/m	Request
ELP.300.01.S	230 mm	300 mm	210 mm	≈ 13kg/m	Request

Structure of the e-loop®

As an alternative to the service loop, the e-loop® combines the advantages of a polymer e-chain® with those of a Dyneema rope that possesses high tensile strength.Ideal for three-dimensional movements. The tensile forces are absorbed by the rope and passed through the mounting brackets into the support structure. As a result, the cables are completely free of strain. The modular e-loop® made of high-performance plastics ensures a defined bend radius of the cables and withstands vibrations and shocks.

The interior

The interior consists of four injection-molded parts. Two of them form the crossbar in the chain link and are screwed on (captively). Due to being screwed on, they are clamped onto the pull rope,

External protectors

External protectors made of impact-absorbing PU protector material ensure that the e-chain® and the cables are protected when hard impacts occur.

Plastic-fiber rope

The individual chain links are clamped onto the high strength pull rope. The rope itself is a plastic-fiber rope and its permissible tensile load is 50kN.

Mounting brackets

The mounting brackets of the e-loop® are high-strength steel mounting brackets. The plastic-fiber rope, which absorbs the entire tensile force of the e-loop®, is an integral part of the brackets.

Rollers

Rollers under the e-loop®, for example, for easier movement on the ground. One application example can be the generation of power for ships in ports

e-loop® grip module

e-loop® grip module makes transport/travel of the loop system easier, e.g. on ECI plants, and simplifies the handling in combination with rollers.

Break test of the e-loop®

Test setup: The e-loop® is dropped from a height of 10 metres onto a vault and hits it with full force.

Result: The e-loop® withstands the collision without problems; its design is resistant to shocks and is shatter-proof.

Load test of e-loop®

Test setup: Continuous test of a completely harnessed e-loop® with cable filling for 500t top drive. The test is carried out in the open air with all environmental influences.

Result: The test has run 40,000 double strokes. All influences due to weather do not affect the functionality of the e-loop®. Side impacts, bumps or vibrations do not bother the e-loop®.

Installation instructions e-loop®

Find out in these installation instructions how to assemble the e-loop® with and without cables.

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e-loop cable guidance in vertical drilling rigs

White paper: cable guiding in vertical drilling rigs

A newly developed alternative to the service loops on vertical drilling rigs offers significantly longer service life under extremely unfavorable environmental conditions.

In this white paper, you can find the following topics:

Application areas of the e-loop
State of the art in the service loop
Crash test for energy chains

Download white paper

TopDrive cables now also with DNV approval

NEW: First TopDrive e-chain cables with DNV approval

Reduction of costs by approx. 35% due to waiving the need to manufacture one-off products for projects.

Learn More

Contact an e-chain® cable carriers expert

We can assist you with a turnkey, fully assembled solutions or answer any questions you may have with a custom project.

Mike Patterson
Industry Manager - Oil & Gas, Offshore and Shipbuilding
(401) 438-2200

Contact an e-chain® expert now

e-loop® questions and benefits

Q: What alternative is there to service loops and umbilical's?
A: 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.
Q: How does the e-loop® absorb forces that act on it?
A: The new 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.
Q: How can I exchange the cables in the e-loop®?
A: Unhook, lay down, unscrew, exchange cable(s), screw shut, remount. That's all it takes regarding maintenance 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.
Q: How does igus® deliver the e-loop® and how is it installed?
A: 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 is happy to take care of the assembly.
Q: How are components prevented from falling down?
A: The individual chain links are all secured with screw connections, so that no component can fall down.

Benefits

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 36 months 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.

Top Drive System with e-loop®

The e-loop® modular e-chain® system is being used in a drilling rig in the oil and gas industry. The igus e-loop® has made it possible to improve the service life of the drilling rig and considerably reduce costs. In addition, the cables in the mast can no longer become tangled.

e-loop at a drilling rig

igus® Oil & Gas Innovation Series | Episode 1

Watch as Jason explains how igus® helps customers online, virtually and in-person. He also discusses the advantages of our e-loop® system for top drives.

Contact an igus® expert now

Bucket wheel excavator with the e-loop®

The e-loop® is used in a bucket wheel excavator made by Holcim (Germany) GmbH. Instead of the planned eight hours of installation time, work with the e-loop® was completed after just four hours.

60 seconds with igus® - Oil & Gas | Special Report

igus® worked with AKITA Drilling in Saskatchewan, Canada to install an e-loop® system. Watch this video to learn about AKITA’s experience working with igus® and to discover what makes e-loop® better than traditional service loops.

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igus® Oil & Gas Innovation Series | Episode 2

In this episode, Jason Freed, Industry Manager for Oil & Gas, Offshore, & Shipbuilding, details our e-loop® system for top drives. He covers why we developed it, some of its parts and pieces, and the advantages of using one.

Contact an igus® expert now