Lift Rope Inspection

Slip
Check to ensure that the ropes are not slipping. This is usually carried out by
putting a chalk mark across the traction sheave and the ropes when the empty
car is at the top landing and observing the relative movement between the marks
on the ropes and the sheave after one complete cycle (i.e. car to lower landing
and return to top). This should not be confused with rope creep which results
from the imbalance of tensions of the car and counterweight sides of the traction
sheave.

Diameter
Check the rope diameters close to the rope anchorages as well as the main body
of the rope which continually travels through the traction sheave. This will enable
the effects of bending and resultant wear to be more accurately assessed.

Pay particular attention to those portions of rope on the traction sheave when
rope tensions are at their greatest (e.g. full car accelerating away from ground
floor).

Wire Breaks
The whole length of each rope should be examined. The maximum number of
wire breaks per rope lay length should be recorded. Particular note should be
made of any isolated groupings of wire breaks.

Discard Criteria
Discard criteria
Lift ropes are usually discarded because of broken wires and/or wear, but other
factors, such as reduction in diameter, corrosion and excessive stretch, may also
give rise to discard. All of these factors should be taken into account when
assessing the condition of a set of ropes and deciding if they can remain in
service.

Broken wires
The table below indicates the maximum number of broken wires per lay length
which can be allowed in the worst section of rope. If the rope is also deteriorating
due to other reasons, the numbers of allowable broken wires in the tables will
need to be reduced.

Wear and age

These are two factors which should be given particular attention dependent upon
the operating conditions and type of drive. Replacement should be considered if,
in the case of a traction drive, a reduction of more than 6% (based on nominal
diameter) is recorded.

No definite guide to the life of a hoist rope can be given but particular care should
be excercised where ropes have been in service for more than 10 years.

Unusual features
If unusual features are evident which might suggest the onset of failure,
replacement must be considered.

Two examples are:

a) ropes exuding a red dust or rouge
b) a local reduction in diameter
 Broken wires per Ropes wearing Report for Replace
lay length but serviceable ordering and immediately
replacement*
Rope construction 6 x 19 8 x 19 6 x 19 8 x 19 6 x 19 8 x 19
Broken wires
equally distributed < 12 < 15 > 12 > 15 > 24 > 30
around the strands
Broken wires
predominant in 1 or <6 <8 >6 >8 >8 > 10
2 strands

*Replacement time may be specified.

< = less than > = or more