A steel wire rope used in traction or roping systems to suspend and drive the elevator car and counterweight, manufactured to EN 12385-5 or equivalent standards.
Full Definition
Elevator ropes are multi-strand steel wire ropes manufactured to EN 12385-5 (ropes for lifts). Common constructions include 8×19 Seale, 8×19 Warrington, and 8×25 Filler wire, with fibre core (FC) or independent wire rope core (IWRC). Typical nominal diameters range from 8 mm to 16 mm, with breaking forces from 40 kN to 180 kN. The safety factor (minimum ratio of aggregate breaking force to maximum static rope load) is specified in EN 81-20 clause 5.5.1: minimum 12 for traction drive with three or more ropes, or as calculated per the standard for fewer ropes. Rope diameter and construction are selected by the elevator designer based on traction sheave diameter (D/d ratio must meet EN 81-20 requirements), rope speed, and load. Regular inspection under EN 81-20 clause 6.3 checks for broken wires (discard criteria: 6 broken wires per lay length in one strand), corrosion, reduction in diameter, and kinking. Rope replacement is mandatory at or before the discard criteria.
