e-loop® - The Service Loop Alternative

Q: What alternative is there to service loops and umbilicals?

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 force?

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 fibre and is therefore shatter-proof, weather-resistant, flexible and corrosion-free.

Q: How does igus® deliver the e-loop® and how is it installed?

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: What cables do you recommend for an e-loop®?

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.

Q: How can I supply energy in heavy-duty applications safely and reliably? What is a service loop and what alternatives are there?

A service loop is used to feed cables and hoses in suspended applications, e.g. as a power supply to the top drive. To this end, cables are often cast together in a dress pack. To ensure that heavy cables with large cross-sections can be reliably guided in hanging applications, igus has developed the e-loop as an alternative to the service loop. 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 during maintenance. The chain links are also replaceable at any time.

Modular and maintenance-free top drive cable carrier

igus® developed the e-loop® as an alternative to the service loop, designed to safely and reliably guide cables and hoses in hanging applications, ideal for 3D movements.

The e-loop® combines the benefits of a plastic energy chain with a high-strength pull rope, making it an effective replacement for traditional service loops. The integrated rope transfers tensile forces directly to the mounting brackets and structure, keeping the cables completely strain-relieved.

Advantages of e-loop® include:

Modular, openable design with individually replaceable links for easy maintenance
Quick installation using dedicated mounting brackets
Robust PU outer body for impact protection
High reliability with secondary locking on all connections
4‑year e‑chain® guarantee

How is the e-loop® service loop alternative constructed?

The e-loop service loop alternative for top drive applications

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 fibre and has a permissible tensile load of 50kN.
The mounting brackets of the e-loop® are stable steel mounting brackets. The plastic fibre rope, which absorbs the entire tensile force of the e-loop®, is integrated into them.

The e-loop® can be used in the following industry's

The e-loop® is utilised not only in the oil and gas sector, but also across the offshore industry, onshore power supply, construction machinery, and wind turbine applications.

Offshore

Shore power supply

Construction Machinery

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 and weather
An optional "drop safe" version is also available, with additional screw locking - as well as a stainless steel version

Cost down

Easy maintenance
Mounting brackets for easy and fast installation
All components are individually replaceable
Cable-friendly two‑chamber interior
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.

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

Applications with e-loop®

Full functionality in spite of a snowstorm - top drive service loop

For a Canadian oil drilling company, an e-loop energy chain solution from igus® guarantees that the top drive, which lowers the drill pipe into the earth and pulls it out again, is always safely and reliably supplied with energy and signals even after heavy storms.

Learn more

e-loop cable guidance on Seadrill offshore drilling rigs

e-loop® in offshore drilling

Seadrill, a global leader in offshore drilling, worked with igus® to integrate an e-loop® cable guidance solution on their drillship, the West Polaris. This resulted in:

Increased cable service life through strain reduction
Decreased maintenance costs
Protection in harsh environments

Top drive system with e-loop® service loop alternative

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions regarding e-loop®

An igus® service loop, also known as the e-loop, is a ready-to-install cable management system designed to safely guide and protect cables on moving equipment. It is commonly used in applications such as offshore cranes, harbour systems, and other heavy-duty machinery where cables need to move reliably over long distances.

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 fibre 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, 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.

A service loop is used to feed cables and hoses in suspended applications, e.g. as a power supply to the top drive. To this end, cables are often cast together in a dress pack.
To ensure that heavy cables with large cross-sections can be reliably guided in hanging applications, igus has developed the e-loop as an alternative to the service loop. 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 during maintenance. The chain links are also replaceable at any time.