Roller Chain Tension Calculator

Inputs

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Mechanical power carried by the roller chain.
kW
Teeth on the driver sprocket being checked.
Pitch between chain pins. ANSI #40 chain is 12.7 mm or 1/2 in.
mm
Rotational speed of the driver sprocket.
rpm
Multiplier for shock, starts, duty cycle and uncertain loading.
Number of parallel chain strands sharing the load.
Manufacturer allowable working tension for one strand of the selected chain.
N

Results

Default result
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Design chain tension(F_d)
2,362N
Pass

2.362 kN · 531 lbf

Effective tension multiplied by service factor.

Effective tension multiplied by service factor.

Also computed

Effective tension(F)1,575N

1.575 kN · 354 lbf

F = P/v_avg.

Per-strand design tension(F_d/s)2,362N

2.362 kN · 531 lbf

Average chain speed(v_avg)3.175m/s

v_avg = p*z*n/60000.

Driver pitch diameter(PD)61.08mm

PD = p/sin(pi/z).

Average sprocket torque(T)47.75N·m

T = P/omega.

Total allowable tension(F_allow,total)8,000N

8 kN · 1,798 lbf

Method notes 3 notes
  • Average roller-chain speed uses one chain pitch per sprocket tooth per revolution: v_avg = p*z*n/60000 with p in mm and n in rpm.
  • Effective tension is steady transmitted power divided by average chain speed. Design tension is a simple service-factor multiplication.
  • This does not select a chain series or rate wear. Starting shock, polygonal speed variation, chain sag, centrifugal tension, lubrication, sprocket tooth capacity, shaft overhung load and manufacturer horsepower tables are separate checks.

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