Final answer:
The maximum length of a high pressure flexible connector or pigtail is determined by the tension it can sustain. If the tension becomes too large, the connector will sag and become ineffective. Factors such as weight and angle also play a role in determining the maximum length.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maximum length of a high pressure flexible connector or pigtail is limited by factors such as the weight and the tension it can sustain. When the angle between the horizontal and the bent connector approaches zero, the tension in the connector becomes very large. Even the relatively small weight of the connector can cause it to sag. Therefore, the maximum length of the connector is determined by the point at which the tension becomes too large and the connector sags.
For example, in a situation where we wish to pull a car out of the mud using a chain as a flexible connector, the tension in the chain is given by T = 2 sin0, since the angle 0 is small, the tension T is large. However, if the length of the chain exceeds the maximum allowed length, the tension becomes too large and the chain sags, making it ineffective for pulling the car.