Mechanical overload protection · Load-holding versus load-separating behaviour, re-engagement mode, setting range by size, backlash, friction limits and switch monitoring
A torque limiter sits in a drive line and caps the torque that can pass through it, protecting gearboxes, shafts and the machine when a jam, overload or collision occurs. Decide three things before choosing one: whether the drive must keep holding the load or be disconnected at overload, how and when it should re-engage, and the setting range, size, backlash and monitoring the drive needs.
Mechanical torque limiters — friction slip clutches, ball- or roller-detent disengaging clutches and combined limiter-couplings — for shafts, sprockets, pulleys and gears. Electronic current limiting in drives, torque wrenches and screwdrivers, shear pins and fluid couplings are outside this page; shaft couplings have their own page.
Start with your task
01
mayr divides torque limiters into two groups. Load-holding torque limiters restrict torque to a preset value but keep transmitting it, so loads continue to be held; slip clutches do this by friction, the element slipping once the preset torque is exceeded. Load-separating torque limiters disconnect input and output at overload or collision and re-engage once the overload is removed. [1]
For load-separating designs mayr lists ratchetting, synchronous and completely disengaging variants: synchronous versions that re-engage after exactly 360° so input and output keep their angular relation, and completely disengaging versions in which transmission stays interrupted and the drive runs freely until re-engaged manually or by an extra mechanism. Some can be switched pneumatically or electrically, and limit switches — mechanical or contactless — detect disengagement as a signal for the controls. [1]
Its EAS-compact, a ball-detent load-separating clutch, re-engages every 15° in the ratchetting version or after 360° in the synchronous version, is described as backlash-free, and can be combined with a flexible coupling for shaft-to-shaft use that compensates axial, radial and angular misalignment. [3]
Editorial note: on a hoist or inclined conveyor, a load-separating limiter lets the load run back when it disengages; that case calls for a load-holding type or a separate brake. Choose the behaviour from what is safe for the machine, then the size.
Give the supplier the drive power and speed, normal and peak operating torque, the torque at which protection must act, required behaviour at overload (hold or separate) and re-engagement mode, mounting (shaft-to-shaft, sprocket, pulley or gear), bores and keyways, backlash tolerance, need for a disengagement switch, operating temperature and expected overload frequency.
02
mayr's size table for its ROBA-slip hub gives limit-torque setting ranges from 2–30 N·m (size 0) through 50–800 N·m (size 3) to 1,200–12,000 N·m (size 9), with stepless adjustment; a torsionally flexible ROBA-slip hub version for shaft connection goes up to 1,400 N·m. It warns that the friction power parameters — slipping speed, slip time and set torque — must not be exceeded or the friction linings overheat. [2]
For the EAS-compact ratchetting/synchronous clutch the table gives ranges from 5–50 N·m (size 01) and 20–200 N·m (size 1) to 70–875 N·m (size 3) and 120–1,200 N·m (size 4), with an operating temperature range of −20 to +80 °C and high switch-off and repeat accuracy. [3]
Editorial calculation: if a drive's design torque is about 119 N·m and the driven parts can safely take 250 N·m, the limiter should be set between those values — for example around 180 N·m. An EAS-compact size 1 (20–200 N·m) would sit near the top of its range; size 2 (40–400 N·m) leaves room to adjust upwards. Check the bore range of the chosen size against the shafts. [3]
Linked suppliers list ball-type, chain and friction torque limiters, PTO-shaft friction and ratchet torque limiters, and torque limiters within coupling ranges. [4] [5]
03
Suppliers linked to this page list torque limiters; each card links to the page reviewed.
The listings reviewed cover friction slip types for sprockets and pulleys, ball-detent types, chain-coupling limiters and agricultural PTO limiters; ask each for the setting range per size, re-engagement mode, backlash and the friction-power limits for slip types.
04
This is a functional reference built from the sources cited; it is not one maker's specification.
| Part | Role | Fix in the order |
|---|---|---|
| Friction linings | Slip at set torque; heat limits. [2] | Lining; friction power. |
| Balls or rollers in detents | Disengage at set torque. [3] | Ratchetting or synchronous. |
| Spring pack and adjusting nut | Set the limit torque. [2] [3] | Setting range. |
| Hub and output element | Shaft, sprocket, pulley or gear. [2] | Bore; output part. |
| Coupling add-on | Shaft-to-shaft with misalignment. [3] | Coupling type. |
| Limit switch | Signals disengagement. [1] | Mechanical or contactless. |
05
A torque limiter quotation needs values for your drive. The table explains each field, gives published values where a reviewed source states them, and says what to obtain from the supplier.
| Field | What it means and published values | Ask the supplier for |
|---|---|---|
| Rated Torque (N·m) | Setting ranges e.g. 5–50 to 120–1,200 (EAS-compact). [3] | Range per size. |
| Torque Adjustment Range (%) | Stepless adjustment within size range. [2] [3] | Min–max setting. |
| Overload Disengagement Accuracy (%) | High switch-off and repeat accuracy claimed. [3] | Tolerance. |
| Maximum Speed (rpm) | Per size; slipping speed limits for slip types. [2] | Limit. |
| Operating Temperature Range (°C) | −20 to +80 (EAS-compact). [3] | Range. |
| Shaft Diameter Range (mm) | Hub bores per size. [2] [3] | Min–max bore. |
| Body Material | Hub and housing. | Material. |
| Friction Material | Linings for slip clutches. [2] | Lining type. |
| Weight (kg) | Per size. | Weight; inertia. |
| Backlash (°) | Backlash-free ball-detent designs. [3] | Value. |
| Service Life (cycles) | Overload events or slip time. | Rating. |
06
Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.
Drive: [kW; rpm; operating and peak torque] Protection: [limit torque; hold or separate] Re-engagement: [ratchetting; synchronous; manual] Mounting: [shaft-to-shaft; sprocket; pulley; gear] Shafts: [bores; keyways] Monitoring: [limit switch; type] Environment: [temperature; overload frequency] Quantity: [per size]
These companies list torque limiters.
Lists ball-type torque limiters and torque limiters with chain couplings.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Presents itself as a custom torque limiter and coupling manufacturer.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists friction torque limiters among its power transmission products.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists friction and ratchet torque limiters for drive shafts.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists torque limiters alongside chains, sprockets and pulleys.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Lists torque limiters within its shaft coupling range.
Product scope checked 2026-10-11
Explore company information and manufacturing capabilities, then discuss the scope of your project with a relevant supplier.
mayr says load-holding types limit torque but keep transmitting it, while load-separating types disconnect input and output at overload. [1]
mayr's EAS-compact ratchetting version re-engages every 15°; the synchronous version after 360°. [3]
mayr lists ROBA-slip hub sizes from 2–30 N·m up to 1,200–12,000 N·m. [2]
mayr warns that slipping speed, slip time and set torque must stay within limits to avoid overheating the linings. [2]
Sources checked 2026-10-11. mayr power transmission is a torque limiter maker publishing type descriptions and size tables; Tianniu and MR Driveline are linked suppliers.
Ask for use case, specification boundaries, supplier type, and RFQ preparation information for this product.
Compare manufacturer profiles with relevant product and process capability.