Wire Rope
Precision Crane is able to supply replacement wire ropes of all types of construction and diameters. The properties of a wire rope are derived from its size, construction, direction of lay and minimum breaking strength, and are all critical factors when ordering a new rope. At Precision Crane we strive to supply OEM replacement rope wherever possible.
The lay of a wire rope describes the manner in which either the wires in a strand, or the strands in the rope, are laid in a helix. Left hand lay or right hand lay describe the manner in which the strands are laid to form the rope. To determine the lay of strands in the rope, a viewer should look at the rope as it points away from them.
Ropes are referred to by a diameter size. The correct way to measure wire rope is shown below.
When is it time to replace a wire rope?
WorkSafeBC 15.25 Wire Rope Rejection Criteria
A wire rope must be permanently removed from service if
- in running wire ropes, there are 6 or more randomly distributed wires broken in one rope lay or 3 or more wires are broken in one strand in one lay,
- in stationary wire ropes, such as guylines, there are 3 or more broken wires in one lay in sections between end connections, or more than one broken wire within one lay of an end connection,
- wear, or the effects of corrosion, exceed 1/3 of the original diameter of outside individual wires,
- there is evidence of kinking, bird-caging or any other damage resulting in distortion of the rope structure,
- there is evidence of heat or arc damage, or
- there are reductions of normal rope diameter, from any cause, in excess of
- 0.4 mm (1/64 in) for diameters up to and including 8 mm (5/16 in),
- 1 mm (3/64 in) for diameters greater than 8 mm (5/16 in) up to and including 19 mm (3/4 in),
- 2 mm (1/16 in) for diameters greater than 19 mm (3/4 in) up to and including 29 mm (1 1/8 in), or
- 3 mm (3/32 in) for diameters greater than 29 mm (1 1/8 in).