How to use tire cables


How to: Put on Snow Chains and Drive Safely

If you travel to the mountains or snowy areas regularly, sooner or later you’re going to have to use tire chains. Start by getting the right set for your vehicle at your local Les Schwab.

Quick-fit chains are not your grandpa’s tire chains. They are MUCH simpler to put on and take off. Here are a video, step-by-step instructions, and driving safety tips for installing quick-fit tire chains on your vehicle.


Do These Two Things Before You Leave

When you need chains, driving conditions are nasty. Snow is coming down, passing traffic is spraying slush, dirty water is dripping off your wheel wells, the road is slick, and it may be dark. Don’t make this the first time you put on your chains.

  1. Practice installing your new chains once BEFORE you travel. Take advantage of a dry garage or driveway to make sure your winter tire chains are the right size and you’re comfortable putting them on. If needed, the professionals at Les Schwab Tire Centers can help.

  2. Put together a simple winter road trip safety kit with warm gloves, waterproof layers, and other items to make your winter driving more safe and comfortable. In the winter, always carry this emergency kit and tire chains in your vehicle.


When and How to Install Your Tire Chains

Once you’re comfortable installing your chains, you’re ready to hit the snow.

  1. Be Safe. If you’re on the road, pull off as far as possible onto a safe shoulder. Flip on your hazard lights. Put on your waterproof layers, hat, headlamp, and gloves from your winter road trip kit.

  2. Identify the Correct Tires. If your vehicle is front-wheel drive, the chains go on the front. If it’s rear-wheel drive, chains go on the back. If it’s all-wheel drive, please check your owner’s manual. If you’re not sure, you can ask the experts at Les Schwab for help.

  3. Pull Out Chains & Instructions. With your vehicle parked, open the bag and pull out your instructions and your first chain. Each bag comes with two chains. The plastic instruction mat that comes with your chains can be used as a barrier between you and the snow to keep you dry.

  4. Untangle Your Chains. Holding them from the plastic-covered cable, make sure everything is straight and the chains are not looped over one another. Hold up your chains so the yellow end is in your left hand and the blue end is in your right.

    The chains should hang loosely and the metal hooks seen along the yellow and blue sections should be facing away from you so they don’t damage your tires.

  5. Place Chains onto Your Tire and Connect the Cable. Lay your chains on the ground and push them behind the tire, yellow cable end first, from the right side to the left.

    Once the chains are centered behind the wheel, grab both ends and pull them up over the top of the tire. You should feel the chains against your axle.

    This will allow you to easily connect the yellow and blue ends of the cable by slipping one end into the other and pulling them into place.

  6. Connect the Red Hook. Now that the cable is connected on top, look for the red hook directly opposite the cable connection. Connect the red hook on the right to the first available gold link on the left.

  7. Check the Diamond Shape. Push the connected chain over the top of the tire. You should see the diamond shape in the chains against your tire. Between each of those diamonds is the center rail, which should be placed down the middle of the tire tread.

  8. Connect the Red Chain Along the Bottom. Now that the cable is connected on top, look for the red hook directly opposite the cable connection. Connect the red hook on the right to the first available gold link on the left. Push the connected chain over the top of the tire.

    The bottom of the chains includes a red draw chain with bungee on your right, and a chain guide on the left. Pull these out towards yourself.

    Take the long red chain and run it through the chain guide and pull as tight as you can with both hands. Don’t pull using the bungee. As you pull, one of the chain links will find its way into the notch on the red chain guide, locking it into place.

    Using the bungee end of the red chain, pull it through one or both of the red loops and secure it to a gold-side chain opposite the red loops. If you can’t get it through both loops, that’s ok, pull tight through one and attach it to a side chain to the left of the loop.

  9. Repeat on Second Tire. Repeat these steps to install chains on the other side of your vehicle.

  10. Drive Forward Slightly. The next step is to drive forward about 15 feet, or a full car length. This gives the chains a chance to relax and settle on your tires.

  11. Re-tighten Chains. To take up any slack, unhook the rubber end of the red draw chain and pull it tight again. Once it’s tight, guide the red chain through the loops and, again, securely latch the bungee end to the gold-side chain.

  12. The chains should be tight on the tire. And, be sure to stop if you hear them making any contact with your vehicle. If your chains are still loose, unhook the bungee and adjust the red hook straight across from the chain guide. Unhook and reattach to the tightest position on one of the three gold chain links. It’s okay if the extra links are hanging loosely. Now, you’re ready to reattach your bungee.


How to Drive with Snow Chains on Your Tires

While driving with tire chains, listen for a loud sound of slapping, or metal on metal. If you hear any indication that a chain may be broken or hitting your car, STOP as soon as safely possible. Loose or broken chains that flap can wrap around a strut or shock component, causing big damage to your vehicle. To help prevent damage, here are a few tips for driving when you have winter chains installed on your vehicle.

  • Don’t go over 25 miles per hour, or else you can damage the chains or your vehicle
  • Never drive on bare pavement
  • Avoid locking or spinning your wheels by starting or braking suddenly
Removing Snow Chains from Your Tires

Pull over in a safe location and remove the chains. Start by unhooking the bungee and chain from the guide, removing them from the tensioner. Unlatch the red hook, and then undo the blue and yellow cable connection. Once all of your chains are off and lying flat on the ground, pull backward or forward slowly a few feet so you can safely pick them up.


How to Pack and Store Snow Chains

At the end of your trip, lay your chains out in the garage and let them dry. If you pack them wet, they can rust.

Also check them for wear, especially if you’ve driven them on asphalt for any distance. Look for flat spots, and replace the chains if you find some.

Link at left shows flattening from wear. Link in center shows sharp edge from wear that can damage a tire.


We’re Here to Help

Remember, if you don’t use your chains all winter long, you can return them with proof of purchase to any Les Schwab for a full refund in the spring.

Get your next set of Quick-Fit chains, along with a few tips on how to install them, at your local Les Schwab, where doing the right thing matters.

Want more tips on winter road safety? See 19 Winter Driving Resources You Can’t Do Without.

Get More Winter Tips

How to Install and Drive with Snow Chains and Tire Cables

Learn how to pick and use the best winter weather traction device for your vehicle.

By Pam Mandel Published November 30, 2021

Tire chains improve traction on snow- and ice-covered roads.

Sundry Photography / Shutterstock

Driving in the snow can be challenging and stressful, but practice, proper gear, and advanced preparation can increase your safety and comfort. With the right traction devices on hand, and knowing both when you need them and how to install them, driving on winter roads will feel a lot less daunting. 

The Differences Between Snow Tires, Cables, Chains, and Socks

Snow or winter tires are specifically designed for better traction and performance in freezing temperatures and on snow and ice than all-season tires. While some all-season tires may have “M+S” stamped on the sidewall to show they have deeper treads for mud and snow, a true winter tire will also have a mountain symbol with a snowflake inside. In many cases, snow tires are sufficient for driving on snow-covered roads and will not require additional traction devices, such as chains or cables. Winter tires are ideal for drivers who need to navigate freezing temperatures and snow all season long.

Cables work much like chains in that they wrap around your tires and help your vehicle grip the road when conditions make it difficult for standard tires to maintain traction. Cables are lighter and can be easier to install than chains. They are less likely to damage your vehicle if they break, a rare but not impossible scenario. While they won’t last as long as a set of chains, cables are a good choice if you don’t need them very often.

Chains are a tougher product all around, but they can be harder to install and heavier. However, if you need to frequently drive in the snow or you want a product that will last longer, they can be an excellent choice.

Tire socks are a newer traction solution where a fabric sleeve wraps around the tire and is secured with elastic bands. They’re easy to install and can help if your wheels are spinning, but they’re not universally approved for use where chains are required. If you have socks, check with the department of transportation along your route to make sure they’re acceptable when chains are required.

Read More: 10 Must-Have Winter Items to Keep in Your Car

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Find a safe place away from traffic to install tire chains.

cherryandbees / Shutterstock

How to Install Chains and Cables

Once you have your chains or cables, read through the instructions and install them at home or another safe place so you know how they work. You’ll be more prepared—and spend less time in the cold—when conditions arise that require chains if you’ve already practiced getting them on and off. 

Chains and cables go on your “drive” wheels, so if your vehicle is front-wheel drive, you will put chains on both of your front tires. Check your car’s manual if you are unsure which are your drive wheels. Using four wheel drive? You need chains for all four tires when 4WD is engaged and conditions require chains for 4WD vehicles.  

While every chain or cable will be installed similarly—you will wrap the traction device around the wheel and tighten the fasteners to ensure a snug fit—always follow the instructions included with your chosen device to get a safe and secure fit.

Smart Tip: Put the instructions in a waterproof sleeve or bag and store them with your chains so you can easily read them in wet conditions on the side of the road. 

Every fall, give yourself a refresher course on how to install your chains or cables, and check your gear over for wear and tear to see if it needs updating. Don’t assume your old chains will work on a new vehicle, either. Double check well before you hit the road that they actually fit.

Read More: How to Pack a Car Emergency Kit

When to Use Chains or Cables

The local department of transportation will tell you when chains are required; check websites for current road conditions in mountain passes and other areas before you hit the road. But chains or cables are helpful anywhere there’s compacted snow or ice covering the roads—covering being the key attribute here. A patch of snow here and there isn’t cause to break out the chains; extensive coverage is. 

When highway signs indicate tire chains are required, you will usually have about a mile to stop and install your chains or cables. Often there’s a designated area to do so. But control areas can shift rapidly from place to place because of changing weather and road conditions. Your safety is paramount; stop and install your chains as soon as it’s safe to do so. 

Don’t rush the process. Install your chains or cables, roll the car forward a length or two and tighten them. Drive a half mile or so and stop once more to make sure the chains or cables are secure, tightening them again if needed. Then you can hit the road.

Read More: 7 Driving Techniques to Reduce Your Risk of a Collision

Drive slowly and mindfully when using tire chains.

Jaroslav Moravcik / Shutterstock

How to Safely Drive with Chains and Cables

Once your chains or cables are securely installed, drive slowly: 20 to 30 miles an hour is typically the maximum speed, but follow posted signs in chain control areas and be prepared for slower traffic ahead. You may have to drive short distances on bare pavement, but if the road is clear, stop the vehicle as soon as it’s safe to do so and take the chains off. Follow any posted instructions and keep your radio tuned to a local station for up-to-date information—conditions can change rapidly. 

If you hear any banging or slapping noises, stop immediately to ensure your chains are sufficiently tight and that nothing is broken. A broken snow chain can cause significant damage to your vehicle. If your chain or cable breaks, treat it as an emergency. Pull off the road as soon as it’s safe and contact roadside assistance. 

As in all winter driving conditions, leave additional space between the car in front of you and avoid sudden moves, such as slamming on the brakes, turning hard on the wheel, or accelerating quickly. Slick surfaces combined with abrupt movements can cause you to lose traction and control. Slow, steady, and intentional is your best approach for winter driving, with or without chains.

Read More: Tips for Driving in the Snow

When to Remove Your Chains

Don’t drive with chains on bare pavement; as soon as you see signs saying “End Chain Control” and you are on plowed and/or salted roads, pull over when safe to do so and remove them. Find a parking lot or roadside turnout with plenty of space and visibility to remove your chains.

Done for the winter? Make sure your chains are clean and dry before you pack them away for the year. Spray your chains with a water based lubricant like WD-40 before you put them away. If you’ve got the space to do so, hang them up in a dry garage, basement, or workshop. That way, they’ll be easy to inspect in advance of next season’s snow driving.

Up Next: 11 Simple Steps to Prepare Your Car for Winter

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This article was first published in February 2021 and last updated in November 2021.

Busbar. Fixtures for the busbar - SvetSTK

Mounting the busbar (track, bus) to the ceiling without hangers

  1. Mark the location of the busbar on the ceiling and the points of its attachment to the ceiling. The busbar has holes with a certain pitch, provided for fixing the busbar. Or, if necessary, you can drill your own holes in the busbar.
  2. install the tire on the ceiling using:
    a) concrete - dowels + self-tapping screws,
    b) "drywall" - self-tapping screws + "parachutes" + "carrots"
    c) "armstrong", "grilyato" and other light ceilings - it is possible to fix the busbar trunking without suspensions only with the help of the embedded substrate and hardware for fastening to it (self-tapping screws).
  3. to determine the point of entry of 220V into the busbar. If the entry point is not on the side where the busbar trunking is supposed to be powered (there are left and right power supplies), simply flip the busbar 180 degrees. .
  4. Remove bus power cover
  5. in the power supply there are 5 terminal blocks: 3 phases, zero and earth. Depending on the connection scheme of this busbar, connect 220V to the required blocks. nine0008 You can connect the busbar to three different phases so that different switches can turn on different lights (distribute switching groups). This is relevant if a long line or a large complex structure is assembled from the busbar, on which several dozen lamps are installed.
    The most common busbar connection is single phase.
    PHASE is indicated by the letter L, a brown or black wire from the cable must “come” to it. ZERO - the letter N and a blue wire from the cable. EARTH - _ icon and yellow-green wire from the cable. Zero will always be in the room, but the earth may not be in the building. nine0006
  6. close the power cover.
  7. set bus power.

How to install the busbar to the ceiling with hangers

Armstrong or grillato ceiling

  1. remove tiles from the ceiling at the place where the hanger is to be installed/fixed
  2. we will fix the busbar trunking to the main ceiling, because load-bearing structures of light ceilings will not withstand the additional weight of the busbar trunking and spotlights installed on it
  3. mark on the main ceiling the fixing points of hangers to the ceiling
  4. Drill a hole in the main ceiling, insert the dowel. It is desirable that the self-tapping screw be with a hidden hat.
  5. Use a plumb bob to mark the suspension points through the false ceiling
  6. make holes in the false ceiling equal to the diameter of the suspension cable. It's about 2-3 mm.
  7. Remove the suspension from the packaging and unwind the suspension cable. Its max length is 1.5m
  8. measure the required cable length and cut off the excess
  9. according to the resulting sample, make the cables of the remaining suspensions so that all the cables are the same length and do not differ even by a few millimeters.
  10. Pass the cable through the hole in the busbar mounting plate so that the plate hangs on the ball located at one end of the cable.
    Attention! Check that the ball is secure by making sure that the ball does not pop out of the hole in the plate or come off (this may happen if it has been previously subjected to mechanical stress, for example, during transportation or while lying on the object, waiting for installation). nine0006
  11. pass the cable through the false ceiling
  12. tie the opposite end of the cable to a self-tapping screw that will be screwed into the main ceiling.
  13. screw the self-tapping screw into the ceiling.
  14. insert the fixing plates into the grooves on the outer sides of the busbar trunking
  15. fix the fixing plates to the rail with the screw
    Attention! You will need 2 hangers to install one busbar trunking from 0.5 to 3 meters long. If the busbar trunking is longer than 3 m, we recommend using additional hangers to avoid the situation of busbar center sagging. nine0008 1 suspension is designed for the weight of the luminaire 3.5 - 4.5 kg, no more. Accordingly, if 5 metal halide spotlights weighing 4 kg each are installed on a busbar trunking 3 m long, then you will need 5 hangers to fix the busbar trunking to the ceiling.
  16. determine the point of entry of 220V into the busbar and the location of the power supply in the busbar relative to this point. If the power is in the busbar on the wrong side where the supply cable is intended to enter it, simply turn the busbar 180 degrees, removing it from the mounting plates and then re-securing. nine0006
  17. remove busbar power cover
  18. in the power supply you will see 5 terminal blocks: 3 phases, zero and ground. Depending on the connection scheme of this busbar, connect 220V to the required blocks
  19. close the power cover. Install power to the bus.

Plasterboard ceiling (If the fixing will be to the main ceiling)

  1. while there is no false ceiling, mark the fixing points to the ceiling on the main ceiling
  2. drill a hole, insert the dowel. it is desirable that the self-tapping screw be with countersunk
  3. Remove the hanger from the packaging and unwind the cable. Its max length is 1.5 m.
  4. measure the required length of the suspension cable. Cut off excess cable.
  5. according to the resulting sample, make all the rest so that their length is exactly the same. Only in this case the busbar will hang perfectly straight.
  6. Pass the cable through the hole in the busbar mounting plate so that the plate hangs on the ball
  7. pass the cable through the false ceiling
  8. tie the opposite end of the cable to a self-tapping screw that will be screwed into the ceiling
  9. screw in the ceiling screw
  10. Insert the fixing plates into the grooves of the busbar. Fix the mounting plate to the rail with a screw.
    Attention! A minimum of 2 hangers are required for one piece of busbar trunking up to 3 m long. 1 suspension is designed for a lamp weight of 3.5 - 4.5 kg. Thus, for mounting a busbar trunking with five metal halide spotlights weighing 4 kg. Each will need five suspensions. nine0006
  11. determine the point of entry of 220V into the busbar.
    Attention! If the power is on the wrong side of the busbar, just flip the busbar 180 degrees.
  12. Remove the bus power cover. There are 5 terminal blocks inside the power supply: 3 phases, zero and ground. Depending on the connection scheme of this busbar, connect 220V to the required
  13. close the power cover. Install power to the busbar.
  14. nine0025

    For gypsum plasterboard ceilings, hangers can be attached directly to the false ceiling itself. To do this, perform the following steps:

    1. mark the fixing points of the busbar trunking to the ceiling on the gypsum ceiling
    2. drill a hole, insert a dowel, “parachute” or “carrot”, it is desirable that the self-tapping screw be with a countersunk
    3. Remove the suspension from the packaging, unwind the cable and measure the required length. Maximum cable length 1.5 m Cut off excess cable. nine0006
    4. according to the resulting sample, make the rest of the suspension cables so that they do not differ even by a few mm.
    5. pass the rope through the hole in the busbar mounting plate so that the plate hangs on the ball
    6. tie the opposite end of the cable to a self-tapping screw that will be screwed into the ceiling
    7. screw in the ceiling screw
    8. insert the fixing plates into the grooves of the busbar trunking
    9. Fix the fixing plate to the rail with the screw. If the power is in the busbar on the wrong side where the power cable is supposed to enter, simply turn the busbar 180 degrees. nine0006
    10. Remove the bus power cover. There are 5 terminal blocks in the power supply: 3 phases, zero and ground. Depending on the connection scheme of this busbar, connect 220V to the required blocks
    11. close the power cover. Install power to the bus.
      Attention! In cases where we fix the busbar trunking to the ceiling with hangers, it is better to run the cable from the power supply to the ceiling first along the busbar and then along the hanger. Such a design will look aesthetically pleasing.
    12. nine0025

      Concrete ceiling

      1. Mark the fixing points of the busbar trunking to the ceiling on the gypsum ceiling
      2. drill a hole, insert a dowel, “parachute” or “carrot”, it is desirable that the self-tapping screw be with a countersunk
      3. Remove the suspension from the packaging, unwind the cable and measure the required length. Maximum cable length 1.5 m Cut off excess cable.
      4. according to the resulting sample, make the rest of the suspension cables so that they do not differ even by a few mm. nine0006
      5. pass the rope through the hole in the busbar mounting plate so that the plate hangs on the ball
      6. tie the opposite end of the cable to a self-tapping screw that will be screwed into the ceiling
      7. screw in the ceiling screw
      8. insert the fixing plates into the grooves of the busbar trunking
      9. Fix the fixing plate to the rail with the screw. If the power is in the busbar on the wrong side where the power cable is supposed to enter, simply turn the busbar 180 degrees. nine0006
      10. Remove the bus power cover. There are 5 terminal blocks in the power supply: 3 phases, zero and ground. Depending on the connection scheme of this busbar, connect 220V to the required blocks
      11. close the power cover. Install power to the bus.

      How to attach the spotlight to the track

      1. insert the adapter with the light into the track
      2. Turn the locking lever on the adapter to lock the adapter into the busbar
      3. nine0005 turn the wheel that regulates the power from a certain phase.

      Adapter assembly. Mounting the adapter on the luminaire

      STK supplies spotlights for tracks (busbar) of its own production with adapters already installed on the luminaire. So do many European lighting manufacturers.

      If you were sold a luminaire and a busbar adapter separately, do the following:

      1. remove the adapter cover by unscrewing the three screws on its body
      2. pass the cable from the luminaire through the grommet of the adapter to the luminaire, and install the grommet in the upper part of the adapter
      3. connect the wires in the luminaire cable to the terminal blocks in the adapter. Phase, ground, zero to the appropriate pads. The adapter must contain the designations PHASE - L, ZERO - N, EARTH - icon_. The wires in the cable can be identified by color: brown or black - phase, blue - zero, yellow-green - ground.
      4. close adapter cover
      5. screw the bushing to the lamp arm

      How many luminaires can be mounted on a track? How many hangers do you need for this?

      1 hanger designed for luminaire weight 3. 5 – 4.5 kg, max. Accordingly, if 5 metal halide spotlights weighing 4 kg each are installed on a busbar trunking 3 m long, then you will need 5 hangers to fix the busbar trunking to the ceiling.

      Can also be mounted on the busbar trunking

      You can install spotlights on the busbar trunking by attaching them to the wall of the room. The procedure for installing fixtures will be the same as when installing on the ceiling. You can be sure that spotlights (even 150W models with electromagnetic ballasts weighing about 5 kg.) will not slide down the busbar. nine0027

      How to move the spotlight on the rail

      1. Turn off the power supply of the luminaire from the busbar by turning the wheel on the adapter to the OFF position (halogen and metal halide spotlights STREEM, JAZZ, BASIS, PRESTIGE, FORK, FAR) or 0 (metal halide spotlight ORHIDEO and all Italian fixtures ).
      2. while holding the luminaire, turn the locking lever on the adapter 90 degrees
      3. by gradually tilting the part of the adapter where the wheel and lever are located downwards, remove the luminaire from the busbar. When tilted about 60 degrees, the adapter should pop out of the busbar. Attention! It is undesirable to move the lamp along the track, because this would be quite heavy and inconvenient and could damage the busbar mount to the ceiling or the hanger busbar mount, or damage the grounding metal bar of the adapter. nine0006
      4. insert the adapter with light into the busbar at the desired location, turn the locking lever on the adapter to lock the adapter into the busbar
      5. turn the wheel that regulates the power from a certain phase.

      Attention! In order to turn the floodlight mounted on the busbar, to direct the floodlights already mounted on the busbar, it is necessary to turn off their 220V power supply by turning the wheels on their adapters to the 0 or OFF position. It is not recommended to perform operations on projectors connected to the power supply. The angle of rotation of the spotlights around its axis is 350 degrees. Do not try to rotate the luminaire around its axis to a greater angle - you may break the adapter. nine0008 Spotlight tilt can be limited by the length of the cable from the spotlight to the adapter. Be careful not to rip the cable out of the terminal block in the adapter or spotlight!

      How to install a wall-mounted luminaire? What is a wall mount?

      Wall mount is a device for attaching the spotlight to the ceiling, wall, floor or any structures. Wall mount is also called ceiling mount.

      Wall mount consists of 2 parts: rear and front. The first part (rear part) is installed on the surface (wall, floor, ceiling, structure). There are 3 holes in this part of the wall mount: two for surface mounting, one for power cable output. nine0027

      To install the wall mount:

      1. mark 2 points on the wall for future installation.
      2. make holes at these points
      3. install a dowel (concrete surface), a parachute or a carrot (gypsum plaster surface) in the holes.
      4. pass the 220V cable outlet through the hole in the wall bracket
      5. will secure the back of the wall mount to the wall with self-tapping screws
      6. connect the 220V cable outlet to the terminal on the back of the wall mount
      7. screw the second (front) part of the wall bracket to the leg of the luminaire.
      8. pass the cable from the luminaire through the hole in the front
      9. Luminaire together with the front part of the wall mount will be connected to the terminal block on the back of the wall mount
      10. align the rear face of the wall mount and secure with 4 screws from the sides

      How to connect busbar trunking. Connections, corners, power plugs

      In order to connect 2 pieces of busbar trunking, you will need additional elements: a corner or an electrical connection.

      The corner is divided into 2 parts: the visible part and the part that is recessed into the busbar. The corner may or may not be a power supply. If the corner is not a power supply, then power will be required from one of the ends of the structure (two pieces of busbar connected by a corner).

      Attention! It is enough to connect the structure only at one end to the mains! nine0027

      Attention! It is forbidden to install floodlights with a total power of more than 2. 8 kW on a line of several pieces of busbar trunking.

      You can install a corner in the busbar as follows:

      1. align the grooves on the busbar with the grooves of the corner
        by pushing the corner and the busbar towards each other with force
        The electrical connection is used to connect 2 or more pieces of the busbar to each other in a line.
        Attention! It is enough to connect the structure only at one end to the mains! No need to insert power at both ends! nine0008 Attention! It is forbidden to install floodlights with a total power of more than 2.8 kW on a line of several pieces of busbar trunking.
        You can install the connection in the busbar trunking as follows:
      2. Align the grooves on the busbar trunking with the grooves on the joint
        while pressing the joint and the busbar trunking towards each other so that half the length of the joint is in one piece of the busbar trunking and the other half in the other.
        Power can be "right" and "left". One power is inserted only from one end of the busbar, the other only from the other. nine0008 Attention! If you have a power cable outlet from the ceiling or wall on the right, and the power supply is left (or vice versa), then by turning the busbar 180 degrees in a horizontal plane, you can achieve alignment of the power supply with the power cable.
        You can install busbar power as follows:
      3. Align the slots on the busbar trunking with the slots on the power supply
      4. Press power supply and busbar trunking towards each other with force

      End cap is a universal decorative termination for busbar trunking. And it can be installed both from the right and from the left end of the track. nine0027

      If the corners are not a power supply, and the busbar design assumes a closed rectangle, then instead of one of the corners you can supply power to one piece of the busbar and a plug to the other piece of the busbar.

      Is it possible to change the length of hangers on an already installed track? How?

      1. Remove all spotlights from the busbar. Turn off the power supply of the busbar by disconnecting the power supply (power supply) from the end, having previously stopped the supply of electricity (turning off the switch). nine0006
      2. unscrew the screw fixing the suspension cable to the ceiling
      3. untie the knot through which the cable was fastened with a self-tapping screw
      4. measure new cable length, cut excess
      5. see further fixing the busbar trunking with hangers to the ceiling

      The cables can be extended if the busbar needs to be lowered. To do this:

      1. attach a cable of the same diameter to the suspension cable using a hammer-in clamp, the metal part of the terminal block 10 sq. mm. or other mechanical fasteners. A lanyard can be used to equalize the length. nine0006
      2. it is forbidden to tie 2 pieces of rope together with a regular knot, because as a result, this can lead to the untie of the knot and the fall of the busbar trunking

      What do you do first: attach the busbar trunking or install lights on it?

      Attach the busbar first, then install the spotlights on it.

      features, loads and uses

      A cable or rope clamp is a rigging product that fixes loops on steel ropes or splices ropes. It would seem that everything is very simple, but: nine0027

      1. These rigging elements are used in highly loaded structures, which implies that they must be made of metal that is resistant to friction, transverse and longitudinal deformations. How is this achieved?
      2. In construction work, for example, several clamps are attached to the cables, located one behind the other. It may be that the load is higher than that allowed for the attachment unit. A simple increase in the number of weak fasteners will not help to fix the structure. Why? nine0006

      These and other details are laid out on the shelves in the article.

      Clamp types

      what is the beast, briefly - by the pros and cons

      For simplicity, we divide the clamps conditionally into three categories, and in each category we denote the most important subspecies:

      Traditional, used for splicing ropes and creating loops on them: nine0027

      • Disposable
      • Staples
      • Cam
      • Flat (tire)
      • Cylindrical (DOUBLE)
      • Crimp

      Flat, used as traditional:

      • Single (SIMPLEX)
      • Double (DUPLEX)

      Special, the range of use of which is narrow and makes them indispensable:

      nine0358
    13. Phillips
    14. Stoppers
    15. Collet
    16. Lanyards
    17. Disposable

      Short cylinders made of aluminum or other soft metal. It splashes along with the threaded ends of the rope, squeezing it tightly. Least reliable and cheapest design.


      Plus Cons nine0403
      + Cheap -Unreliability
      +Quick installation - Disposable

      Staples

      The most common traditional type of clips in the form of a U-bracket. Easy to install and dismantle, reusable, no loss of performance.

      The nuance of use is almost complete unsuitability for high loads. A small contact patch with the rope causes cutting deformation - a break or damage to the rope at the attachment point. nine0027

      Plus Cons
      + Cheap -Small contact patch
      +Quick installation -
      + Reusable -

      Cam

      Bracket analogs, two mirrored seats with integrated threaded bushings. More convenient than the U-shaped, rarely found on the Russian market.

      Like the older brother, it has a small contact patch with the cable.

      nine0400 -Small mounting spot
      Plus Cons
      + Cheap
      +Quick installation -
      + Reusable -

      Flat (tire)

      A clamp, the cross section of which is a Latin W. The counterpart is similar to a pipe spread along. Places of adjoining to a cable - corrugated, provide good fixing. nine0027

      With such a clamp, cutting deformations can not be feared.

      Plus Cons
      + Reliability - Expensive
      +Easy to install -
      + Reusable nine0403 -

      Cylindrical (DOUBLE)

      It is also a ring in Africa - a ring (well, or two half-cylinders with coupling screws).

      It is produced in small sizes (cable 3-4 mm), i.e. you can fasten cables up to the thickness of the wire (within reasonable limits). Stainless steel - as the main material of manufacture - allows the use of the ring in tandem with ropes made of non-ferrous metals, stainless steel. Harsh environments, in short, do not threaten your designs. nine0027

      Plus Cons
      + Reliability - Expensive
      + Reusable -

      Crimp

      In the common people - a barrel. Two embossed plates with cylindrical grooves for laying the cable, which are tightened with a screw. We can say the king of elevators and other lifting mechanisms. nine0027

      It is produced both from non-ferrous metals and from steel, depending on the purpose.

      Plus Cons
      + Reliability - Expensive
      +Easy to install -
      + Reusable nine0403 -

      Single flat (SIMPLEX)

      As mentioned above, the larger the contact patch with the cable, the more secure the mount, this clamp is a direct confirmation of this.

      At its core, two plates (with and without sides), fixed with a bolt and nut. The presence of the sides prevents the cable from slipping sideways under load, which also has a positive effect on the maximum allowable loads. nine0027

      Plus Cons
      + Reliability - Relative high cost
      + Reusable -

      Flat double (DUPLEX)

      Two spliced ​​single (SIMPLEX) products. nine0027

      As Ellochka the Ogre would say, ironically! Installation of stretch marks on high-voltage poles of power lines and TV antennas - time to spit. To fix the load when it is lifted to a great height - too. And it's not a figure of speech.

      Plus Cons
      + Reliability - Relative high cost
      + Reusable -

      Phillips

      Let's say you need to connect two lines at right angles. You need a cross! Not Orthodox, of course, but we advise you to pray, because such a fastener cannot be called ultra-reliable. However, there is enough reliability for the rope mesh. As they say, who studied for whom.

      It is made in the form of a cylinder in which steel ropes are stacked on top of each other and fixed with a screw. nine0027

      nine0400 -
      Plus Cons
      + Indispensable when creating intersecting structures - Expensive
      +Easy to install -Small range of applications
      + Reusable

      Stop

      Just a stopper - that's all. Doesn't splice anything, doesn't support anything. Its task is to tightly grasp the cable and prevent the movement of loads suspended on it, roughly speaking, it thickens the line at a selected point.

      Plus Cons
      + Indispensable when creating a stopper nine0403 - Narrow range of applications
      +Easy to install -
      + Reusable -

      Collets

      A tip whose task is to accurately dock the rope with the structural elements to which it is attached. It does not provide 100% reliability. I'll tell you a secret, it's better to make a loop. nine0027

      Plus Cons
      +Easy to install -Unreliability
      + Reusable - Narrow range of applications

      Lanyards

      A typical industrial climber's quick release. They hang all sorts of loads for him. The product consists of levers that fix it on the line when a load is applied to the mounting ring. nine0027

      Plus Cons
      +Easy to install - Expensive
      + Reusable -

      What materials are the clamps made of

      what is your saddle made of, wanderer? nine0352

      The three main materials from which cable clamps are made are (very predictably!): stainless steel, hot dip galvanized and zinc coated mild steel. Consider the example of a saddle.

      Stainless steel A2 and A4. Your choice for outdoor and harsh environments. Corrosion resistance out of the box.

      Hot dip galvanized steel. Feel free to take it if you want to save money. Use in adverse environments is limited, but more than meets the required loads. Corrosion resistance is less than that of stainless steel. nine0027

      Soft galvanized steel. According to deshman, that means, according to deshman. The material is not resistant to corrosion (however, you cannot pick off the galvanization with your finger). If you need something for everyday life, the best option.

      However, remember that when building highly loaded structures, it will be necessary to check the attachment point at least once every three months for complete eating by rust. Hehe. Joke.

      Clamp dimensions

      Size matters! Everyone needs a reliable and safe design, but how to ensure it? nine0027

      Rope without sheath? This means that the clamp is selected according to the diameter of the cable.

      Cable in a braid? Nuance! The workload limit of an assembly or trunk will be reduced by 30-35% if the braid is not removed because the clip body will be in contact with soft and pliable vinyl.

      The use of such a connection on heavily loaded cables is unsafe!

      As a result: fasteners to the braided rope are selected according to its diameter without braiding. From the points of the highway where the clamps will be located, I will remove the braid. That is life? No, technology nine0027

      Clamp classification according to DIN

      • DIN 741. Standard, not designed for lifting operations.
      • DIN 1142. Reinforced fastener equipped with two hex nuts and washers for better clamping. It has a long operational reserve even in conditions of constant temperature fluctuations.
      • DIN 3093. By its design, this is an aluminum sleeve that allows you to connect several cables to each other to achieve the required total length. nine0006

      DIN 741

      The DIN 741 standard is fasteners with two hex nuts. This product is widely used in all industries.

      Features:

      • Used with ropes from 3 to 40 mm in diameter.
      • The length is 21-88 mm, the width is 10-45 mm and the height without detachable lug is 10-55 mm.
      • Eye rod diameter - 4-16 mm, center distance between its ends - 9-58 mm.
      • Male Hex Nut Thread - 1/8 to 1 in.
      • Weight standard: 100 pieces of these products, depending on the size, can have a mass of 1.4 to 104 kg.

      Made of steel or A4 stainless steel. Products with a protective zinc coating applied by galvanic or hot method are common. The reinforced analogue of DIN 741 is marked DIN 1142.

      DIN 1142

      nine0026 The DIN 1142 standard is used for the manufacture of rigging devices used in conjunction with lifting mechanisms. DIN 1142 is of great importance in construction, where it can be used as an element of rope stretching.

      Features:

      • The case is 12 to 68 mm long and 13 to 49 mm wide.
      • Product seat height - 13-77 mm.
      • Total height of part including U-bolt can be from 25 to 159mm.
      • Thread for fixing nut - M5-M24.
      • U-bolt spacing 12-68mm.

      The product DIN 1142 is a critical structural element, and strict requirements are imposed on the material from which it is made. These clamps are produced from galvanized steels or A2 and A4 stainless steels.

      DIN 3093

      The DIN 3093 standard is an aluminum sleeve. It is a flattened hollow cylinder. It is used for splicing steel ropes together, as well as for making loops at the ends of the rope. nine0027

      Features:

      • Rope diameter used - 1.5 to 40 mm
      • Hole width B - 3.6 to 88 mm
      • Sleeve length L - 5 to 140 mm
      • Material thickness S - 0.5 to 17 mm

      Clamp Installation Instructions

      As mentioned above, clamps are widely used for creating loops and splicing cables. When carrying out such work, it is required to comply with technological standards, since improper installation can reduce the maximum working load of the backbone node by 40%. nine0027

      First you need to make sure that:

      • No nicks, dents or cracks on the product.
      • The size of the product corresponds to the size of the cable.

      Traditional Clamps

      Step one. The first fastener element is located at a small distance from the free end of the loop. Nuts or bolts are tightened alternately until the required torque is reached.


      nine0026 Step two. The second is placed closer to the loop, so that it has a minimum deformation course. Travel can be checked by flattening the loop towards the clamp after installation.


      Step three. The third is positioned exactly between the first two. This takes into account that the mating parts of the clamps (those from which the nuts or bolts are tightened) must be directed upwards.


      Step four. A section of the highway is loaded with a load equal to or greater than the required one. The tightening of nuts or bolts is checked and, if necessary, increased. nine0027

      When splicing, the algorithm for installing clamps will be the same.

        Flat - Simplex and Duplex

        They are used in the same cases as traditional ones, but they have a different design. Consider below their installation on the example of DUPLEX.

        Step one. Make sure that the product is complete, the parts are in good order, the nuts do not go tight on the thread.

        Step two. When creating a loop, place the product closer to its beginning, when creating a loop or splicing, position the cable inside the clamp as shown in the figure. nine0027

        Step three. Install the mating part and tighten with nuts. Apply a load to the structure equal to or greater than necessary. Check the tightness of the nuts, tighten if necessary.

        Installation of the SIMPLEX clamp

        Installing the DUPLEX clamp

        Special clamps

        With regard to special types of clamps, it is impossible to give a general algorithm of actions, however, since it is not possible to position them except for their intended purpose, tight tightening of the fasteners solves the issue of their reliable installation. nine0027

        Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

        - Is it possible to fasten a rope with a clamp?

        - No, we get the same situation as with the braid. The rope is made of easily deformable material, and therefore it is almost impossible to carry out high-quality fastening.

        - If I want to install a cable to protect my parking space, does it make sense to buy expensive clamps? nine0402

        - The need for expensive products arises when high tension or displacement loads are applied to the cable. It makes no sense to buy expensive clamps to build an unloaded cable structure.

        - Is a special tool required to install this fastener?

        - Depending on its type, the following set of tools may be needed: a hammer, a sledgehammer, a screwdriver of the required size (flat, Phillips or hex), pliers or a wrench of the required size. nine0352

        - Can traditional clamps be used with a steel cable to tow a car?

        - In 80% of cases it is impossible, and it is good if such an experiment does not end in failure.

        - Why doesn't increasing the number of weak clamps increase the working load of the cable structure?

        - The main load that is applied to the rope is longitudinal tension. Consequently, under critical loads, the cable either bursts if the clamps are designed for the load, or slips out of any number of weak fasteners. nine0352

        Chains, slings, rigging Updated: 14.07.2022 15:35:01

        Maxim

        Specialist in the field of fasteners and rigging products.


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