[TowerTalk] Preformed Guy Grips

[K7LXC@aol.com]

In a message dated 07/28/2000 8:54:14 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
k5na@texas.net writes:

> I had occasion this week to closely observe the power company reworking my 
>  electric and installing some new power poles for our new house. I looked 
>  closely at their cable and their grips.
>  
>  I noticed that their guying cable has a right-hand twist. I then looked at 
>  their PLP grips (yes, they were made by PLP) to verify that they also had 
a 
>  right-hand twist.
>  
>  This is directly opposite to Rohn 1/4 inch EHS  cable that has a left-hand 
>  twist and the PLP grips (BG-2144) that also has a left-hand twist to match.
>  
>  I don't know whether all power companies use right-hand twist cable, but 
>  you need to be aware that all cable isn't made the same. You should never 
>  mix grips and cable that don't have the same twist.
>  
>  Stan didn't mention this and I thought it was worthy of a quick word.
>  
    Gerald, of course, is right. The salient point here is that Preformed 
grip products are PRECISION items made for a SPECIFIC application. The lay of 
the underlying cable is one of the parameters for proper use. 

    Other parameters are the number of strands and outside width of the 
finished cable. You cannot just 'look' at a cable - you need to measure it 
precisely. There are about 8 different grades of wire rope cables and each 
has a unique make-up, number of strands, lay and OD. Using the wrong grips 
can be fatal to your installation. Cost is NOT a factor here. Again, the LXC 
Prime Directive trumps everything else - "DO what the manufacturer says".

Cheers,   Steve   K7LXC
Tower Tech 

--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com