Rope Tension Meter for Wire Inspection Case Study
Efficiency and safety in wire inspection with the PIAB Rope Tension Meter
In seeking a better solution in measuring instruments, Bowlin Construction of Walton, Kentucky, USA selected the PIAB RTM 20D Rope Tension Meter, a battery operated measuring instrument designed to measure the tension force in cables, ropes and wires. Specializing in tower construction, Bowlin has maintenance contracts for approximately 550 towers for customers in the U.S. For each tower, the contracts require an annual inspection and individual control of each guy wire, which up until this point has been time consuming, expensive, and risky as an “in line measurement” when standard dynamometers have been employed.
PIAB RTM Rope Tension Meter applications
The PIAB RTM 20D Rope Tension Meter is useful in monitoring tension in guy-wires for antennas, towers and transmission line masts/towers electrical conductors and cables for trains, trams, towing ropes etc. When the RTM 20D is attached on a pre-tensioned wire rope, force can be immediately viewed on the LCD-display on the front of the unit. The PIAB RTM 20D Rope Tension Meter can calibrate ten different ropes.
Suitable rope tension meter solution
According to Maintenance Co-coordinator Mr. Charles "Kip" Koch at Bowlin Construction the PIAB RTM 20D Rope Tension Meter was found to be: "very light and easy to use,” which is very important as towers are often located in remote areas in variable terrain. Service engineers are often responsible for brining all required equipment to the maintenance site, so lightweight equipment is preferable. During inspections, the tension in the guy wires could be adjusted and displayed while the PIAB RTM 20D was attached on the wire rope.
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