[TowerTalk] [Bulk] Re: Phillystran

[Steve Maki]

Spelter sockets are the ONLY termination on the *larger* sizes of 
Philly. *Larger* being the sizes that Grant was referring to.

And regardless of what typical applications might be, why would anyone 
knowingly use a termination substantially weaker than the cable itself?

-Steve K8LX

On 10/22/2015 3:26 AM, Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:

> This should not be a factor where the Phillystran is used as a truss at
> a fraction of its strength.  As guy lines the standard "Big Grip is
> recommended.  They haven't used Spelter sockets and epoxy for some
> years  even on the larger 6,000# cable.
>
> For a truss 3 saddle clamps are used with the saddle on the live side
> (never saddle a dead horse) so creep has never been a problem when used
> on a truss.  The Big Grips (Recommended by Phillystran and sold by
> vendors) grip entirely on the jacket, but it's over about 18" or more.
> If you wrote a recent article recommending Spelter sockets, it is not
> what the manufacturer recommends, hence they have not been the proper
> method of termination for a number of years.  I don't know when they
> changed, but it was Big Grips in 2002, or 13 years ago when I installed
> my 45G using Phillystran's recommendations.  I didn't find any sellers
> of Phillystran even offering Spelter sockets.
>
> Follow the "Prime Directive"
>
> 73
>
> Roger (K8RI)
>
>
> On 10/21/2015 11:35 PM, Grant Saviers wrote:
>> I strongly advise against saddle clamps.  The problem is creep of the
>> plastic jacket causes the clamp force to decay with time. Until the
>> clamp completely cuts through the jacket the clamp force decays.  At
>> room temperature it took about 3 weeks and at least 4 tightenings to
>> get the saddle to cut through the jacket.  I used a torque wrench to
>> set the tightening force and measured the residual torque at a late
>> time each cycle.  I built a tension tester and verified saddle
>> terminations will slip well below the breaking strength of the
>> Philly.  Even after 121 days and 4 tightening cycles the saddle clamp
>> torque values indicated continuing creep and reduced termination
>> strength.  I was unable to achieve more than 30% of the break strength
>> of the Philly. (25000# Philly and 7000# load for slippage).
>>
>> Later I tested the proper terminations for this Philly (Spelter
>> sockets with epoxy) on a commercial 100,000# tension test stand and
>> the guy failed at 28000# tension and not the termination. See NCJ
>> Nov-Dec 2014 for my article.
>>
>> I've seen bent booms as a result of using saddle clamps.  I also found
>> them loose on my steppIR 4L after a year on the 1200 size so will
>> never use it again.
>>
>> Phillystran says use grips on all 2100 and larger.  Follow the
>> directions!
>>
>> Grant KZ1W
>>
>> On 10/21/2015 13:06 PM, Mike Reublin NF4L wrote:
>>> Mostly what compresses is the jacket. No strength is lost. My SteppIR
>>> uses Phillystran (as a bridle) with small saddle clamps. The PS is
>>> very flat in the clamps.
>>> 73, Mike NF4L
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Oct 21, 2015, at 3:46 PM, GMuller885--- via TowerTalk
>>>> <towertalk at contesting.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> All:
>>>>       Thank all of you for the input.    Based on all the input my
>>>> guys and
>>>> stays are of Phillystran 6mm dia 2100 lbs  break strength. I am
>>>> using guy
>>>> line clamp kits, three to a  connection.  The only question left is
>>>> that if
>>>> the Guy cliompress  the Phillystran how much strength is lost if any?
>>>>
>>>> Gerald Muller K9GEM
>>>> GMuller885 at aol.com