The bending radius is the radius with which the cable can be bent without any damage or deterioration of function. The smaller the bending radius the higher the necessary flexibility of the cable respectively the constructional demands on the cable.
Types of minimum bending radius:
| Unique bend | The cable is installed permanently. The product remains permanently in the same position (for example wiring of a switchboard). |
| Fixed laying | The cable or core is permanently installed. After removal the product can be installed again at another place. |
| Flexible application | The cable or core is used in flexible application without forced movement control (for example as connection cable of a control panel). |
| Permanent flexible application | The cable or core is exposed to forced movement control (for example the application in cable chains or guided over deflection pulleys). |
Notes:
- Cables or cores are not allowed to be bent directly after the plug or the crimping area.
- Cables or cores are not allowed to be bent in a smaller bending radius than recommended. The single wires of the conductor could be compressed or stretched and finally break.
- Cables or cores are not allowed to be guided over sharp edges. Besides the breaking of the wires there is the danger that the insulation is damaged and thus the product is not safe for humans and machines any more.
Examples of cables and wires with a small bending radius or minimum bending radius
| Type | Description |
| S 980 CP | Shielded TPE/PUR control cable with UL/CSA |
| SD 980 P | Oil-resistant TPE/PUR data cable with colored cores and UL/CSA |
| DR CB 689 P Highflex | Reeling CAN bus cable |
| USB 2.0 S UL/CSA | Permanently flexible USB 2.0 cable with UL/CSA approval, suitable for cable tracks |
| DR 730 P Highflex | Reeling cable with UL/cUL approval |
| Festoon 715 P | PUR cable for flexible use in festoon systems |