The Reality of Wire Rope NDT

You will very often see the title ‘NDT’ (non-destructive testing) used in association with the examination of wire ropes. There is a method of non-destructive testing used in the examination of wire ropes but, it has little relationship with non-destructive testing methods such as: MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspection), ultrasonic testing, radiography etc. used for the inspection of pipes, welds, pressure vessels and so on.

Being competent or certified to carry out any of the above methods of NDT, does not automatically make someone competent to examine wire ropes.

The growth in awareness of the possibility to carry out wire rope examinations, using one of the wire rope non-destructive testing instruments that are available on the market, has led some companies to believe that this is an easy way to make more money; an ‘add on service’ to their other activities.

Part of the problem is, some manufacturers of Wire Rope NDT Instruments, exaggerate the capabilities of their instruments, specifically in respect of the analysis of test results.

Wire rope NDT instrumentation is an aid to or a tool to be used in wire rope examination; these instruments do not and cannot provide all the information required, to determine wire rope condition. Indeed, we have experience of situations where it was intuition that flagged-up that something was ‘wrong’, not the instrumentation.

Additionally, if you are sitting in your office, expecting some remote NDT equipment installed on your headgear to keep you safe, then you are being misled and taking a serious risk.