An energy guiding chain (1) includes at least one detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) for detecting wear on at least one chain link. The detection unit (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 120) according to one embodiment includes a first electric component (11, 41, 51, 121) on a first chain link and a second electric component (12, 42, 52, 122), which is provided on an adjacent second chain link connected to the first chain link in an articulated manner. The first and second electric components interact in a contactless manner, for example in an inductive, magnetic, or capacitive manner, in order to change the coupling in the event of radial and/or axial play in the joint connection between the chain links due to wear.