Manufacturers of elevator wire rope are welcome to test their ropes on this machine. Contact Jack J. Gibbons at 908-964-3690 or e-mail us at metrowiresales@aol.com

Elevator Rope

How to determine lubrication of elevator rope
It is generally acknowledged that any lubrication built into a wire rope, while it is being fabricated, will not last for the life of the elevator rope. Therefore the rope must be re-lubricated periodically.

Proper lubrication prolongs rope life by reducing the abrasive action of wire against wire, and strand against strand, as the rope bends over sheaves and drums. It will also retard core deterioration, which in turn will eliminate excessive distortion of the rope, and also it will retard corrosion of the wires in the rope.

The frequency of lubrication will depend upon the amount of lubricant retained by the rope, the amount of use of the elevators, the factor of safety of the wire ropes, the temperature of the hoist-way in which they are used, and other factors. As a practical guide to the need for lubrication, a finger wiped in a sheave groove should show a faint smudge and have a slightly oily "feel". If this test leaves the finger dry and clean, lubrication is necessary.

Since improper lubricants may seriously reduce the available traction, with traction elevators the lubricants and the amounts used should be limited to those supplied or approved by established elevator wire rope manufacturers.

When should elevator rope be retired?
Inspection procedures and retirement criteria have been established by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and published in ASME/ANSI A17.2, as the "Inspector’s Manual for Elevators and Escalators". These recommendations are based on experience and observation, i.e., they are empirical.

Watch each wire rope and note when broken wires begin to appear. Thereafter check at frequent intervals to determine the rate of increase in the number of broken wires. A rapid increase in the number of broken wires is significant, and indicates the need to increase inspection frequently.

Count the number of broken wires in a rope lay. A wire rope lay is a distance measured along the length of a rope within which the spiral strands complete one turn about the axis. A lay may be considered as a section of rope approximately six and one-half times the diameter of the rope, that is, 3-1/4" for 1/2" rope and 4-1/16" for 5/8" rope.

1. Single or Double Wrapped Machines - 3 to 8 Hoist Ropes
   1. If the broken wires are equally distributed among the strands, remove ropes when the number of broken wires per rope lay in the worst section of rope exceeds the values shown in column A in the table below.

   2. If the distribution of broken wires is unequal and broken wire predominates in one or two strands, remove ropes when the number of broken wires per rope lay in the worst section of rope exceeds the values shown in Column B of the table.

   3. If four or five wires, side by side, are broken across the crown of the strands, remove ropes when the number of broken wires per rope lay in the worst section of rope exceeds values shown in column C of the table.

   4. If any unfavorable factors, such a corrosion (red dust or rouge), excessive wear of individual wires in the strands, unequal tension, poor sheave grooves, etc. exist, rope should be removed when the number of broken wires exceed fifty percent of the value indicated in the table for conditions 1, 2, and 3 described above.

   Type of Wire Rope	A	B	C
   6 X 19	24-30*	8-12*	12-20*
   8 X 19	32-40*	10-16*	16-24*

2. Drum Machines - 2 Hoist Ropes
   1. If the distribution of broken wires is equally distributed among the strands, remove ropes when the number of broken wires per rope lay in the worst section of rope exceeds 12-18*.

   2. If wire-breaks predominate in one or two strands, remove ropes when the number of broken wires per rope lay in a the worst section of rope exceeds 6-12*.

      *The upper limits shall be used only when inspections are made at least monthly by a qualified inspector.

3. All Types of Machines

Ropes shall be replaced whenever their actual diameter drops below the value shown in the following table:

Nominal Diameter in Inches	1/2	9/16	5/8	11/16	3/4	1
Actual Reduced Diameter in Inches	15/32	17/32	37/64	41/64	45/64	15/16

Attention is called to the fact that breaks are difficult to detect in preformed rope since broken wires do not spring out. When inspecting preformed ropes, use a cleaning solvent and adequate lighting.

Inspection Note:
WHEN SLIVERS OF STEEL are noticed on the elevator ropes, these slivers are actually from the drum or sheave (which are usually of softer material than the rope). When this condition is noticed, the installation should be checked for slippage and the causes thereof immediately remedied.

When inspecting elevators, it is customary to look for broken wires in part of the rope that reeves over the sheaves; however, careful inspection should also be made of the rope adjacent to the sockets where, due to vibrations and unequal tensions, broken wires can also occur.

How to guard against unequal tension
All ropes in an elevator installation must be installed and maintained to have equal tension. Inequalities in tension will result in unequal wear to rope, sheaves, and drums; will cause rope slippage, and will cause premature rope failure.

To insure proper rope equalization, all tension should be checked upon rope installation before the elevator is placed in service. This can best be done by the use of various wire rope shunt type tension indicators that are on the market. Any inequalities thus revealed can be adjusted for by means of the take-up screws. Do not attempt to vary the ropes length by adding to or taking out twist in the ropes.

Check on rope tensions should then be made periodically at least once a month to insure proper equalization.

This can be done using our RTC digital rope tension control device. Please call us for more information.

To guard against factors which may cause unequal tensions after initial installation, the sets of rope should be of the same make, grade and construction. But the greatest factor contributing to unequal tension is variation in the pitch diameter of the sheaves. If investigation shows that latter condition to exist, then either re-score the sheaves or replace them with new sheaves.

Hoist Rope Stretch
Hoist ropes will exhibit stretch when placed into service. This constructional stretch is due to the seating of wire within strands and strands into the fiber core as the rope is initially cycled. Shortening of hoist rope after they have been placed in service is usually required. To compensate for this elongation, the following allowances should be made:

Table#1	Allowance	(INCHES/100FT.)
CLASS	NON-PREF.	PREF.
6 x 19	6	9
8 x 19	8	12

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Elevator Hoist Rope Lubrication

Elevator hoist rope benefits from periodic relubrication in use. Abnormally high temperatures, high traction, fast line speeds and small bending ratios dry out and/or expel wire rope factory applied compounds. The lubricating compounds in new wire rope have been rigorously selected, carefully and thoroughly applied, but will not endure and function the entire useful life of the elevator hoist rope.

Rational field dressing along with other programs and conditions are required and recommended to obtain optimum hoist rope service life.

ELEVATOR HOIST ROPE FIELD DRESSINGS.

CLEAN AND MAINTAIN TRACTION.

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PENETRATE AND ENABLE INDIVIDUAL CORE FIBERS TO REPEL MOISTURE.

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PREVENT RUST BY COATING AND COVERING WIRES AND STRANDS.

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REDUCE WIRE-TO-WIRE AND STRAND-TO-STRAND ABRASIVE ACTION.

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INCREASE GROOVE LIFE AND RIDE QUALITY.

Wire rope field dressings applied early in service life at frequent intervals in small amounts work better than less frequent, heavier applications. Compounds may be applied by brush, roller, or electrostatic wicking. Sludged or dirty wicks should not be used. Field dressing should be applied to clean, dry elevator hoist rope.

• Begin field dressing before rust forms.
• Field dressing prevents core dry out.
• Too much field dressing allows formation of solids.
• Use compounds designed for elevator hoist rope service.
• Excessive amounts of field dressing render hoist ropes uninspectable, or cause slippage. Variance or non-compliance with these principles and recommendations may cause serious problems and invalidate warranty.

Elevator Hoist Rope grooves should always give a faint, oily feeling smudge to an inspector’s finger. Governor ropes must not be lubricated after installation.

Warning!

Wire Rope WILL FAIL if worn-out, overloaded, misused, damaged, improperly maintained or abused. Wire rope failure may cause serious injury or death! Protect yourself and others. ALWAYS INSPECT wire rope for WEAR, DAMAGE or ABUSE BEFORE USE. NEVER USE wire rope that is WORN-OUT, DAMAGED, or ABUSED. NEVER OVERLOAD a wire rope. INFORM YOURSELF: Read and understand manufacturer’s literature or “Wire Rope and Wire Rope Sling Safety Bulletin”. *REFER TO APPLICABLE CODES, STANDARDS and REGULATIONS for INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS and REMOVAL CRITERIA.* *For additional information or the BULLETIN, ask your employer or wire rope supplier.

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Preformed ^TM Reeving Splice

Save Time, Trouble, and Money On Elevator Reroping Jobs. Over a 5-year period in the 1960’s PLP®, in conjunction with Otis Elevator Company, developed and tested the Reeving Splice to eliminate the headaches associated with marrying wire ropes. Reeving Splices save up to 30 minutes per application by simplifying the marrying of wire ropes during elevator reroping operations. These economical disposable tools permit easy passage of the married ropes over pulleys or sheaves. Applied in seconds by hand, without tools, Reeving Splices maintain a constant, positive grip - even when ropes go slack. General Information PREFORMED Reeving Splices are designed to hold a maximum of 2,000 pounds whether the working load be from zero up to 2,000 pounds. APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS NOTE For All Reeving Splices Sizes: For safe performance of the product, PLPs recommends that the Reeving Splice be used for on application only then discarded. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS This catalog section is not intended to supersede any construction, safety or design standard. Preformed’s recommendations are offered only to illustrate safe use of Reeving Splices. Failure to follow these guidelines and restrictions may result in personal injury. For proper performance and personal safety, be sure to select the proper size Reeving Splice before installation. CAUTION: Reeving Splices are not designed nor intended for full strength applications. The purpose of their application is for replacing ropes, not for permanent splice installation.

Catalog Number	Wire Rope		Units	Wt/Lbs	Length Inches	No. of Subsets	Rod Diameter Inches	Color Code
	Size	Mean Diameter	Per Carton
RS-2105	1/2	.500"	10	8	29	3	.070	Orange
RS-2107	5/8	.625"	10	13	36	3	.086	Black
RS-2108	11/16	.6875"	10	17	40	3	.100	Red
RS-2109	3/4	.750"	10	18	42	3	.100	Green
RS-2110	13/16	.8125"	10	24	46	3	.112	Yellow
RS-2111	7/8	.875"	10	28	50	3	.119	Blue

Wrap on in seconds without tooling. Maintains constant grip on married ropes. Pass easily over sheaves. Saves up to 30 minutes per application. Conform to and flex with movement of wire rope. Provide extra margin of safety by eliminating need to prepare hand formed fist grips. Assure error free application time after time. Eliminate guesswork through color codes which indicate proper rope size. Used successfully for over 25 years.

O.D CALCULATIONS Applied overall diameter computed as follows: Rod Diameter .070" x 2 = .140" Wire Rope Diameter + .500" Total Applied O.D. .640"

Overall Diameter of Spliced Wire Rope Size Reeving Splice Overall Diameter 1/2 5/8 11/16 3/4 13/16 7/8 RS-2105 RS-2107 RS-2108 RS-2109 RS-2110 RS-2111 .640" .797" .887" .950" 1.036" 1.113"

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Elevator Wire Rope Wedge Sockets

MEA approved in NYC Why waste time and money using babbit sockets. Rope installation and shortening jobs will be much faster and economical.
	STEP 1:Insert the end of the lift rope down though the wedge clamp body, taking up all the slack in the rope STEP 2: Thread the end back up through the front side of the wedge clamp body, leaving just enough loop to install the rope wedge STEP 3: Insert the wedge into the loop STEP 4: While pulling down on the hoist rope with one hand to keep it taut, pull up on the loose end with a quick pull until the rope loop and the wedge are seated STEP 5: After all ropes are installed, let the weight of the car and counterweight rest on the ropes. The rope and wedge will rise about 1” to the final “set” under load. Cut the surplus rope off the tail end after binding so as to leave approximately a 6” tail. Install a retainer clip to prevent the rope wedge from slackening in the event the car or counterweight lands on the buffers. Install a second retainer clip to retain the tail end STEP 5A: (WHEN REQUIRED – initial equalizing): Any rope or ropes tighter than the rest can be slackened and equalized by tapping the wedge down until the rope slides, using a hammer and a drift pin, which is inserted into the top of the clamp body between the rope and the tail end. Repeat on all tight ropes until all have equal tension STEP 6: Equalize final rope tension by adjusting rod nuts while holding the wedge clamp body to prevent rotation.

DESCRIPTION	ROD LENGTH
	12"	18"	24"	30"	36"	42"
1/4" ELEVATOR WIRE ROPE	X	X	X
3/8" ELEVATOR WIRE ROPE	X	X	X
1/2" or 5/8" ELEVATOR WIRE ROPE	X	X	X	X	X
3/4" or 11/16" ELEVATOR WIRE ROPE	X	X	X	X	X	X

**Replacement Wedges and Clips Available

IMPORTANT PRODUCT SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT!

DO NOT USE A SAFETY BELT FOR FALL ARREST!

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1998, A SAFETY BELT WILL NO LONGER MEET OSHA REGULATION FOR FALL ARREST.

NOW IS THE TIME TO REPLACE YOUR SAFETY BELTS WITH FULL BODY HARNESSES.

PLEASE CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFORMATION.

GENERAL PURPOSE HARNESS

FULL BODY HARNESS A NEW, light weight, simple to use, lower cost harness.

Adjustable postition "D" ring. 6000# test polyester webbing. Upper and lower body sections in contrasting colors. Comfort increased by eliminating waist belt. Thigh straps adjustable with parachute buckles. Meets ANSI and OSHA requirements. Union made in the USA.

SAFETY LINES

Fabricated using 3/8" 7 x 19 galvanized small cord. A 1-3/4" x 1-1/8" carbon steel button is swaged at 5 foot intervals. One end has a machine spliced loop. The other end has a machine spliced loop and a 1/2" bolt type anchor shackle. Length made to your requirements.

Metro Wire Rope Corporation
553 Lehigh Avenue
Union, New Jersey 07083
1-908-964-3690
FAX 1-908-810-1904
FAX 1-908-964-8990
metrowiresales@aol.com
www.metrowirerope.com