An energy guiding chain with a plurality of links, which are connected to each other in articulated fashion, is provided where the links consist at least partly of an electrically conductive material that permits the discharge of electrical charges over at least part of the chain length, and is characterized in that the links are designed such that they are in contact with each other over the full pivoting angle on contact areas that move relative to each other and are in permanent contact and/or in that at least one connecting element connecting two or more links to each other in each case is provided, and in that the contact areas, and the areas of the links or the connecting element connecting them, form a continuous conductivity path with low electrical resistance, which extends at least over several links and permits use of the chain in ESD protection zones.