Diameter and tolerance
![]()
How to measure wire diameter correctly
The wire diameter should always be checked before installation. Measure on a straight section of the wire. Two sections with a minimum distance of one meter should be measured. At each point, two measurements should be taken with a 90-degree offset from each other. The average between the two measurements should comply with the tolerance described in the tables below.
![]()
Correct way of measuring
![]()
Wrong way of measuring
Steel wire ropes for general applications
| Nominal Rope Dia (mm) |
Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| 2 to <4 | 0 +8 |
| 4 to <6 | 0 +7 |
| 6 to <8 | 0 +6 |
| 8 and up | 0 +5 |
Tolerance of nominal diameter on unloaded rope.
| Nominal Rope Dia (mm) |
Rope with strands that are exclusively of wire max. % |
Rope with strands that incorporate fibre centres max. % |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to <4 | +7 | - |
| 4 to <6 | +6 | +8 |
| 6 to <8 | +5 | +7 |
| 8 and up | +4 | +6 |
Tolerance of nominal diameter by unloaded rope.
Steel wire ropes for person elevators
Tolerance for nominal diameter for ropes with fiber/synthetic core.
| Unloaded | Loaded to 5% of min. breaking load |
Loaded to 10% of min. breaking load |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Rope Dia (mm) |
max. % | min. % | min. % |
| =10 | +6 | +1 | 0 |
| <10 | +5 | +1 | 0 |
Tolerance for nominal diameter for ropes with steel core.
| Unloaded | Loaded to 5% of min. breaking load |
Loaded to 10% of min. breaking load |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominal Rope Dia (mm) |
max. % | min. % | max. % |
| =10 | +3 | 0 | -1 |
| <10 | +2 | 0 | -1 |
Difference between two measurements expressed as percentage of nominal diameter under a load equivalent to 5% or 10% of min. breaking load.
| Nominal Rope Dia (mm) |
Rope ovality max. % |
Average diameter variation max. % |
|---|---|---|
| <8 | +4 | +3 |
| 8 and up | +3 | +2 |
Do you wish to know more about our Lifting KnowHow? Please reach out.
For faster response, call us directly at +47 66 79 95 00!
Composition of steel wire ropeLearn more about the composition of steel wire rope. |
Learn more |
Diameter and tolerance of steel wire ropeLearn more about tolerance of steel wire rope. |
Learn more |
Discarding of steel wire ropeLearn more about the correct ways of discarding steel wire rope. |
Learn more |
Factors to consider when selecting your wire ropeLearn more about how to choose the right steel wire rope. |
Learn more |
Installation of steel wire ropeLearn more about installation of your steel wire rope. |
Learn more |
Technical description of steel wire ropeLearn more about steel wire rope applications. |
Learn more |