Wire rope clips are used as fastening components for connections between wire rope ends or for fixing eye loop terminals. Common models are shown in Figure 1, and specially designed rope clips are shown in Figure 2.
图1：常规型
图2：特殊型
Wire rope clips can be fabricated on-site, are relatively simple to operate, and have low cost. Compared with many other types of rope end connections, rope clips are easy to install and remove, and inspection is also very straightforward. They are especially popular among users for use in emergency situations.
Figure 3: Application examples of wire rope clips
1. Construction of wire rope clips
The construction of a wire rope clip consists of three parts: a U-shaped bolt, a saddle (or clip body), and nuts (Figure 3).
Figure 3: Construction of a wire rope clip
2. Working principle of wire rope clips
The wire rope clip presses the "live end" rope against the "dead end" rope, thereby transferring the load between the two rope sections through friction and positive locking.
At each clip, approximately the same amount of tensile force is transferred from the live end to the dead end. Taking the example of fixing with five rope clips, each clip transfers about 10% of the total tensile force. Therefore, at the beginning, the main rope bears 100% of the tensile force. At each rope clip, 10% of this force is transferred to the dead-end rope. At the thimble (or eyelet), the tensile force in the wire rope will be precisely reduced to 50% (see Figure 4).
Figure 4: Load (or tension) gradient at the wire rope end fixed with rope clips
3. Arrangement of wire rope clips
Wire rope clips shall be arranged with the saddle (clip body) fastened onto the live end of the wire rope and the U-bolt fastened onto the dead end of the wire rope, as shown in Figure 5 a). Rope clips shall not be arranged alternately on the wire rope. Figures 5 b) and 5 c) show incorrect arrangements.
图5：钢丝绳夹的布置
4. Number of wire rope clips
The minimum number of wire rope clips per set is shown in the table below.
5. Spacing between wire rope clips
The distance L between wire rope clips is equal to 6 to 7 times the diameter d of the wire rope (see Figure 6).
Figure 6: Spacing between rope clips
6. Tightening of wire rope clips
When tightening rope clips, the proper loading on each clip must be taken into account. The clip farthest from the thimble shall not be tightened first. The clip nearest to the thimble (the first clip) should be placed as close as possible to the thimble, while still ensuring proper tightening of the clip and avoiding damage to the outer wires of the wire rope.
7. Strength of the wire rope clip termination
The strength of the wire rope clip termination depends on the correct arrangement of the clips on the wire rope and the torque applied during tightening. It is recommended that when finally locking the nuts, a torque wrench be used, set according to the torque requirements of the nuts, to prevent insufficient or excessive tightening torque, as well as unbalanced torque among the nuts of the clips.
Improper tightening of nuts or an insufficient number of wire rope clips may cause the wire rope end to slip from the very beginning when loaded.
When the correct number of rope clips is used, with proper arrangement and tightening, the strength of the termination shall be at least 80% of the breaking strength of the wire rope itself.
Key notes:
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In actual use, rope clips should be inspected after one or two load applications. In most cases, due to structural elongation of the wire rope under load and the corresponding reduction in diameter, the clip nuts require further retightening.
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The rope groove in the saddle (clip body) of conventional rope clips is suitable for use with 6-strand round-strand right-lay wire ropes. If use with other constructions or left-lay wire ropes is required, rope clips with matching specifications should be ordered.
Posted：2026-05-15
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