Norms and standards for energy chains

Norms and standards for energy chains

Norms and standards for energy chains – reliability, safety, and industry-specific requirements

Energy chains play a central role in automation technology by protecting cables and hoses in moving applications and ensuring safe energy and data transmission. To ensure the quality, reliability, and safety of energy chains, they are regulated by international and industry-specific standards as well as comprehensive safety standards and certifications. These specifications promote innovation, ensure global compatibility, and protect users and machines alike.

The requirements for energy chains vary depending on the area of application, but international standards set universal benchmarks that are adopted by many industries. Important regulations include:

• DIN EN ISO 12100: This safety standard defines the basic requirements for the safe design of machines and thus also of energy chains in order to minimize risks for users.
• EN 60204-1: This standard specifies requirements for the electrical equipment of machines, including the safe routing and protection of cables within energy chains.

Energy chains must meet specific requirements depending on the industry in order to ensure their functionality and safety. In medical technology, particularly strict hygiene and material specifications are paramount; energy chains must be made of biocompatible materials and be easy to clean in order to meet the highest standards of cleanliness. In heavy industry, on the other hand, abrasion resistance, heat resistance, and robustness are crucial, as energy chains must withstand extreme environmental conditions such as dust, high temperatures, or heavy mechanical loads. In the automotive industry, standards such as IATF 16949 ensure that energy chains meet the requirements for efficiency and reliability in production and guarantee smooth operation.

The safety and durability of energy chains are largely guaranteed by certifications and compliance with relevant regulations. The CE marking indicates that energy chains comply with European machinery directives, in particular Directive 2006/42/EC, and are therefore suitable for safe use in machines. For the North American market, UL certification is of central importance, as it ensures that energy chains meet the local safety requirements for electrical equipment. In addition, the EU regulations REACH and RoHS help to ensure that no harmful substances are used in the manufacture of energy chains, thus guaranteeing both environmental and user protection.

To ensure that energy chains comply with standards and safety requirements, they are subjected to comprehensive testing. Cycle tests check their service life and resilience under realistic operating conditions to ensure that they can withstand the demands of practical use. In addition, material tests guarantee the stability and freedom from harmful substances of the materials used, thus ensuring quality and environmental compatibility. Finally, weather tests check whether the energy chains can withstand extreme environmental influences such as heat, cold, or moisture, thus guaranteeing their reliability in a wide range of applications.

With the ongoing digitalization and Industry 4.0, the demands on energy chains are increasing significantly. In addition to their classic function of protecting and guiding energy and data cables, they must increasingly be integrated into highly networked and automated systems. New standards for the integration of data cables, the transmission of large amounts of data, and compatibility with networked systems are becoming increasingly important. Especially in production environments where real-time communication and predictive maintenance are crucial, energy chains must be able to interact seamlessly with sensors, actuators, and IoT platforms. In addition, the ability to efficiently and safely route hybrid cable systems—i.e., a combination of energy, data, and media hoses—is an important criterion. The requirements for materials and designs are also increasing, as energy chains must not only be mechanically robust, but also designed for high electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) to prevent interference in data transmission. At the same time, compliance with classic standards and safety requirements remains a decisive factor in ensuring the highest quality and safety standards. Only
by combining proven standards with innovative technologies can energy chains meet the growing demands of modern industrial environments.

Norms, standards, and certifications form the backbone for the safe and reliable use of energy chains in a wide variety of industries. They not only create trust among manufacturers and users, but also promote innovation and ensure global compatibility. Whether in heavy industry, medical technology, or the automotive sector, energy chains that comply with applicable standards offer
a durable, safe, and high-performance solution for demanding applications.

The LQ Group is a leading company in the field of energy chain and cable management systems and has been setting the highest standards in terms of quality, safety, and innovation for many years. As a reliable system supplier for a wide range of industries, the LQ Group works with trusted partners for raw chains to ensure that its products not only comply with international standards and safety requirements, but also meet the specific requirements of the respective industries. With a clear focus on innovation and safety, the LQ Group ensures that its energy chain solutions meet the highest standards worldwide and perfectly fulfill the requirements of Industry 4.0 and specific industries.