At a Glance. igus energy chains all do the same job — guide cables and hoses through a moving axis — but they are not interchangeable between short and long travel. The range on our igus energy chain page splits into two design philosophies. The E4.1 family, represented here by E4.28.040.250.0, E4.162.200.250.0 and E4.162.600.1000.0, is a modular sliding chain that covers the widest spread of machine-building tasks. The H4 family — H4.42.050.350.0, H4.56.050.500.0 and the tool-free H4Q.34.387.300.0 — puts rollers between the links, so the chain slides on rolling contact instead of on plastic. Both families sit in Energy Chains & Cables.
1. Sliding versus rolling: the one difference that decides the project
In a sliding chain the upper run rests on the lower run while the axis moves. The chain links glide over each other. That is simple, quiet and cheap, and for strokes up to a few metres it is the correct answer almost every time.
Once the stroke grows, the mass of the chain itself becomes the problem. A long unsupported run needs more and more push force from the machine, and every additional metre adds friction and wear. A roller chain breaks that loop: the links run on rollers, so friction stays low and almost constant. The practical consequence is that on very long or heavy axes you can drive a roller chain with a smaller, cheaper motor — and the cables inside it see less vibration.
2. E4.1 versus H4 at a glance
| Criterion | E4.1 series (e.g. E4.28, E4.162) | H4 series (e.g. H4.42, H4.56, H4Q.34) |
|---|---|---|
| Link contact | Sliding | Rolling on rollers |
| Drive force on long travel | Rises with stroke and chain weight | Stays low over the whole stroke |
| Typical fit | General machine building, machine tools, handling | Very long travel, heavy cable loads, cranes and storage axes |
| Noise | Low | Low, but a different sound signature |
| Service life of the chain itself | Good under normal duty | Longer on high-duty long-stroke axes |
| Cost per metre | Lower | Higher, offset by smaller drive sizing |
| Tool-free opening | On most E4.1 sizes | On the H4Q.34 variant |
3. Reading an igus part number
igus part numbers are dimensional, which makes selection far easier than with a catalogue name. Taking E4.28.040.250.0 as an example: E4.28 is the chain series and defines the inner height, 040 is the inner width in millimetres, and 250 is the bend radius in millimetres. The trailing .0 is a variant suffix.
The same logic reads across the family:
- E4.28.040.250.0 — series inner height 28 mm, widths 40–300 mm, bend radius 55–250 mm
- E4.162.200.250.0 — series inner height 162 mm, widths 200–600 mm, bend radius 250–1000 mm
- E4.162.600.1000.0 — same series, widest 600 mm version with the largest 1000 mm radius
- H4.42.050.350.0 — H4 roller chain, inner height 42 mm, widths 50–400 mm
- H4.56.050.500.0 — H4 roller chain, inner height 56 mm, widths 50–600 mm
- H4Q.34.387.300.0 — H4Q tool-free roller chain, inner height 34 mm, widths 75–387 mm
4. The selection sequence we use for quotations
Step 1 — Cable bundle diameter
Measure the finished diameter of the largest cable and add the diameters of everything else in the same chamber. The chain inner height must leave room to install and remove the cables without kinking. Choose the chamber width so that cables sit side by side with clearance rather than stacked.
Step 2 — Stroke length and travel type
Short unsupported travel points to E4.1. Once the axis becomes long enough that the chain would have to be guided on a support tray, compare the roller option: on those axes the reduced friction is what pays for the higher chain price.
Step 3 — Speed and acceleration
High speed and rapid reversing cycles favour the E4.1 family, whose geometry is designed for exactly that duty. Very long, slow, heavily loaded axes favour H4.
Step 4 — Bend radius
The radius is fixed by the cable, not by the chain. Take the largest minimum bend radius in the bundle and select a chain whose radius range includes it. Never buy a tighter radius than the cable allows.
Step 5 — Environment
For washdown, outdoor or high-temperature areas, confirm the chain material and whether a special variant is required. The standard variants cover normal machine-building environments.
5. Ordering and lead time
Energy chains are sold by the metre with a fixed number of links, plus the mounting brackets for both ends. When you request a quote from our igus stock, send the full part number, the required length in metres, and the machine orientation (horizontal, vertical or circular). Complete part numbers such as E4.162.600.1000.0 can be confirmed and quoted the same day.
6. Common mistakes
- Buying the radius from the catalogue instead of the cable. The correct radius comes from the stiffest cable in the bundle.
- Ignoring the chain weight. A long sliding chain can require a disproportionately large drive; this is exactly the case where a roller chain wins.
- Mixing series in one machine. Brackets are series-specific. Standardising on one family across a machine keeps spares simple.
- Forgetting strain relief. Cables should be clamped at both ends of the chain, not left to pull on the connectors.
Need help converting an existing igus installation to a current series, or cross-referencing a legacy chain part number? Send us the old number and a photo of the mounting bracket and our team will come back with the equivalent from the energy chain range.