Minimum Bend Radius

Exceeding the minimum bend radius of a cable causes conductor stretching on the outside of the bend and compression on the inside, destroying insulation integrity and altering impedance (critical in data cables).

General Rules of Thumb

Cable Type	Static Bend (Fixed)	Dynamic Bend (Flexing)
Unshielded Hookup Wire	4 × OD	8 × OD
Shielded Cable (Foil/Braid)	6 × OD	12 × OD
Coaxial Cable	10 × OD	15 × OD
Fiber Optic (General)	10 × OD	20 × OD

* OD = Overall Diameter of the cable.

For high-flex drag chain applications, always consult the manufacturer datasheet. A continuous flex rating requires specialized conductor stranding and jacket materials.