×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Cable clamp inspection

Cable clamp inspection

Cable clamp inspection

(OP)
I've got a structure that uses wire rope, or some sort of galvanized exterior strand, and is connected to other cables and plates with a thimble, looping back and lapping on itself and connected with multiple cable clamps - "U" shaped clamps that bolt the two laps together.

My question:

Over time, the cables and clamps have been exposed to weather.  Other than visually examining the clamps for obvious deterioration, rusting, etc.  are there other means of testing these clamps to verify their continued servicability and holding strength?  After X years in service, do you simply go back and re-tighten the clamps?

Any experience or links would be helpful.

RE: Cable clamp inspection

If the clips were properly installed to begin with and have not corroded, I would leave them alone (only visual inspection, as you have noted). Over time, normally problems occur with the wire rope itself, not the clips.

"US Steel Wire Rope Engineering Hand Book", available on my website home page, covers proper use of the clips on page 76 (including tightening after initial loading). Care of wire rope and common causes of wire rope failure are covered beginning on page 113.

The 480 page Department of Energy "Hoist & Rigging Standard" (free .pdf download) may offer guidance, but I have not "dug" thru it. Here is the link
http://www.eh.doe.gov/techstds/Standard/std1090-04/toc.html

www.SlideRuleEra.net idea

RE: Cable clamp inspection

1. Visual inspection can tell the tears & wears (section loss), and NDT can identify cracks. Any doubt in mind, replace the clamps and tighten to the specified level.

2. If clamps are in good shape, and no indication of cable slipage, I don't think there is a need for re-tightening.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources