| Topic: Wire Rope - Cable Clips | |
| Date Issued: September 1, 2014 | Date Revised: |
There’s only one right way to install cable clips to get maximum efficiency (up to 85%) out of a prepared loop or thimble-eye termination – otherwise, the termination can be severely reduced in capacity.
Most cable clips have two sections: a saddle part and a U-shaped part.
[Instructor to identify parts for crew.]
You need the right size of clip for the wire rope diameter.
You also need to know the number of clips required, the amount of rope to turn back from the thimble, and the torque needed to tighten the nuts. There are tables that detail all of this information.
(See sample of cable clip installation table below.)
At least three clips should be used when making any prepared loop or thimble-eye termination for wire rope (especially for overhead lifting).
All three clips must be installed with the saddle part on the live end of the rope. This allows the live end to rest in the saddle, and to not be crushed by the U-shaped part of the clip.
The rule is simple: “Never saddle a dead horse.”
The U goes on the dead end of the rope – where crushing will not affect the breaking strength of the hoist line.
| Rope Diameter (Inches) |
Minimum Number of Clips |
Amount of Rope Turn-back from Thimble (Inches) |
Torque in Foot-Pounds for Unlubricated Bolts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/16 | 2 | 5 1/2 | 30 |
| 3/8 | 2 | 6 1/2 | 45 |
| 7/16 | 2 | 7 | 65 |
| 1/2 | 3 | 11 1/2 | 65 |
| 9/16 | 3 | 12 | 95 |
| 5/8 | 3 | 12 | 95 |
| 3/4 | 4 | 18 | 130 |
| 7/8 | 4 | 19 | 225 |
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
With special thanks to the Construction Safety Association of Ontario for permission to reprint.
Let’s follow the installation procedure step by step.
[Demonstrate proper installation using the following diagram as a guide.]
