What is the safe working load (SWL) of a wire rope defined as?

What is the safe working load (SWL) of a wire rope defined as?

• A. Breaking strength times safety factor
• B. Breaking strength divided by safety factor
• C. Breaking strength plus safety factor
• D. Breaking strength subtracted from safety factor

Answer: (B)

Safe working load is the maximum load that can be safely lifted by the rope in service. It’s found by dividing the rope’s breaking strength by the safety factor. The breaking strength is the force at which the rope would fail in a controlled test, and the safety factor provides a margin to cover unknowns like dynamic forces, wear, and potential misuse. By dividing breaking strength by the safety factor, you set a practical limit that keeps actual lifting well below failure. For example, a breaking strength of 10,000 pounds with a safety factor of 5 yields an SWL of 2,000 pounds. Using any other operation would either overestimate the safe limit or fail to provide the necessary margin.

Safe working load is the maximum load that can be safely lifted by the rope in service. It’s found by dividing the rope’s breaking strength by the safety factor. The breaking strength is the force at which the rope would fail in a controlled test, and the safety factor provides a margin to cover unknowns like dynamic forces, wear, and potential misuse. By dividing breaking strength by the safety factor, you set a practical limit that keeps actual lifting well below failure. For example, a breaking strength of 10,000 pounds with a safety factor of 5 yields an SWL of 2,000 pounds. Using any other operation would either overestimate the safe limit or fail to provide the necessary margin.