Steel ropes, made of ordinary or galvanized steel, are used in many industries: from construction, through electrical engineering, to transport. They are suitable for various jobs - professional and amateur. They are an integral element of a zip-line, winch or metal cable route. Stainless steel ropes are characterized by very high resistance to corrosion, mechanical damage, stretching, abrasion and crushing. Steel rope can be safely loaded statically and dynamically. It is not threatened by the most difficult weather conditions. Extremely high strength often goes hand in hand with flexibility of the structure. Find out which steel rope will be suitable for the planned application and how to properly select snap hooks for ropes.
Check out the snap hooks at the Onninen wholesaler
Selecting the thickness of the steel cable for the load
The steel ropes available on the market have different parameters. The key feature of each steel rope is the breaking force, or resistance to breaking. The decisive factors here are: the diameter of the rope and the strength of the wires used in the production process. When safety is a priority, it is worth, and sometimes even necessary, to calculate the permissible load of a given structure (in tons) and the optimal diameter, using a ready-made formula:
Safe load = breaking load [kN] x 0.10197 / safety factor (usually specified by regulations)
When selecting the diameter and construction of a wire rope, one factor to consider is whether the rope is operated on a drum or rope sheaves. If so, the following ratios should be maintained: the diameter of the drum or rope sheave to the diameter of the rope and the diameter of the drum or rope sheave to the diameter of the wire. If the wire rope is to be used in conditions of increased risk of abrasion and corrosion, the diameters of the outer layer wires should be as thick as possible.
In addition to the diameter itself, other parameters of steel ropes that are important for their efficiency, durability and work safety include: flexibility, resistance to rotation and crushing, and lubrication.
It is important to remember that a structure made of thick wires will be relatively stiff. This is the right solution if you want a little flexibility. On the other hand, lines made of thin wires will be more flexible on the one hand, but on the other hand more sensitive to transverse pressure and deformation. They will be destroyed more quickly in the event of friction on the rope pulleys.
What size should a snap hook be for a steel cable?
The connecting element at the end of the steel cable is a snap hook (or carabiner). It has a small size and a characteristic shape of a metal ring with an opening lock on one side. It is used for quick and reliable connection of elements and mobile fastening. An optional lock prevents accidental opening. People not associated with the electrical engineering, construction or transport industries will associate snap hooks primarily with climbing equipment.
When choosing a snap hook for a steel cable, you should pay attention to the material it is made of, its purpose and the method of installation. For each snap hook, you can find information about the steel cables (i.e. the maximum diameter) that the model is suitable for.
Snap hooks and steel ropes at the Onninen wholesaler
At Onninen Wholesale you will find top quality, corrosion-resistant steel cables, snap hooks and cables integrated with snap hooks. All products meet strict safety standards. We are an electrical wholesaler, so we specialize in the sale of steel cables and snap hooks for creating cable routes and suspending lamps and trays. We offer individual products and entire cable support systems made of metal.
Not sure which steel cable will provide the required strength? Are you wondering whether a three-layer or four-layer construction is better for a given application? Or maybe you have a problem choosing a snap hook? Contact the Onninen technical team. We will answer your questions and advise you.