Just read that a single elevator rope can hold over 20,000 pounds

I was looking through an old Otis manual from the 90s in the shop and saw the spec for a 5/8 inch traction cable. Honestly, it blew my mind that one cable can handle that much weight before it even thinks about breaking. Do you guys ever think about the sheer safety factor built into these things on a daily basis?

2 comments

2 Comments

lee_butler4d ago

The safety factor is huge, but it's not just the cable. The whole system has to work together, and those cables get worn down over time. I've seen some real sketchy ones that should have been replaced years ago.

colesanchez4d ago

Yeah, you're totally right about the whole system. But honestly, the safety factor on those cables is way bigger than most people realize. Even when they look worn, they can often still hold way more than they're ever asked to. The real danger is usually in the anchors or the posts rotting out long before the cable itself fails.