Measuring Wire Rope

NOMINAL WIRE GAUGES

MEASURE ACROSS THE OUTER EDGE OF TWO STRANDS
MEASURE ACROSS THE
OUTER EDGE OF TWO STRANDS
USE LARGER GAUGE
USE LARGER GAUGE
USE SMALLER GAUGE
USE SMALLER GAUGE

Using a Nominal
Wire Rope Gauge

Only use a wire rope gauge to determine approximate wire rope diameter.

  1. Align the gauge so that the wire can be measured from the outer edge of one strand to the edge of the strand directly opposite.
  2. If the wire rope does not fit in the gauge, use a larger gauge until the wire rope fits in the gauge.
  3. Shine a light behind the gauge.
  4. If you can see light between the gauge and the wire rope, repeat with a smaller gauge until no light shows.

For more accurate measurements use a machinist’s caliper or micrometer.

GO NO/GO WIRE GAUGES

CORRECT Wire Rope should not fit in Gauge
CORRECT

Wire Rope should not fit in Gauge

ROUGED WIRE ROPE
ROUGED WIRE ROPE

Replace if Cable Shows Rust

REPLACE WIRE ROPE
REPLACE WIRE ROPE

When Cable Fits in Gauge

Using a Go/NoGo
Wire Rope Gauge

Only use a wire rope gauge to determine approximate wire rope diameter.

  1. Align the gauge so that the wire can be measured from the outer edge of one strand to the edge of the strand directly opposite.
  2. If the wire rope does not fit in the gauge, it is still above the nominal -3.125% threshold.
  3. If the wire rope fits in the first notch, it should be replaced if the cable shows rust (rouge).
  4. If the wire rope reaches the bottom of the gauge, it should be replaced.

For more accurate measurements use a machinist’s caliper or micrometer.