A major portion of any wire rope inspection is the detection of broken wires. The number and type of broken wires are an indication of the rope's general condition and a benchmark for its replacement.

Frequent inspections and written records help determine the rate at which wires are breaking. Replace the rope when the values given in the table below are reached.

Valley wire breaks -- where the wire fractures between strands or a broken wire protrudes between strands -- are treated differently than those that occur on the outer surface of the rope. When there is more than one valley break, replace the rope.

Broken wire removal criteria cited in many standards and specifications, like those listed below, apply to wire ropes operating on steel sheaves and drums. For wire ropes operating on sheaves and drums made with material other than steel, please contact the sheave, drum or equipment manufacturer or a qualified person for proper broken wire removal criteria.

**Also remove for 1 valley break.