Overview
ISO 3154:1988 - "Stranded wire ropes for mine hoisting - Technical delivery requirements" - sets the acceptance basis for stranded steel wire ropes used in mine hoisting. This second edition (1988) revises the 1976 edition and specifies the measurable properties, tests, certificates and delivery requirements manufacturers and purchasers should agree on. It does not cover full-lock coil ropes, balance ropes, flat ropes or the raw wire metallurgical characteristics.
Key topics and requirements
- Scope and exclusions: Applies to stranded wire ropes for hoisting in mines; excludes certain rope types and does not specify wire metallurgy.
- Dimensional and mass requirements:
- Agreement of nominal rope diameter, with measured diameter on new rope not less than nominal and not more than +5%.
- Nominal rope mass per metre agreed at order; actual mass tolerance typically −2% / +5%.
- Nominal and actual rope length tolerances defined and measurement methods to be agreed.
- Breaking load / strength:
- Two acceptance methods: Method A (aggregate breaking load) and Method B (minimum/measured breaking load). Test procedures and definitions follow ISO 2532 vocabulary.
- Tensile grades for round wires (e.g., nominal tensile strengths in N/mm² listed in tables) and upper tolerance rules are specified.
- Wire testing and workmanship:
- Tests on all round wires extracted from rope (tensile, reverse-bend, torsion) with minimum numbers of reverse bends and torsions given in tables.
- Galvanized wires: two quality classes (A heavy, B normal) with minimum zinc surface density requirements and assessment by mass of zinc per area.
- Manufacturing and inspection:
- Requirements for fibre cores, lubricants and impregnating compounds reference ISO 3155 and ISO 3156.
- Testing machine accuracy, sampling rules and independent testing provisions are defined.
- Documentation and delivery:
- Works certificate and full works certificate examples provided (Annex A and B).
- Procedures for certificates of acceptance, inspection facilities and packing are included.
Applications and users
ISO 3154 is used by:
- Rope manufacturers and mills producing stranded wire ropes for mine hoisting
- Mine owners, maintenance teams and procurement professionals specifying hoist ropes
- Test laboratories and inspection authorities performing acceptance testing
- Safety and engineering teams ensuring compliance with hoisting equipment requirements
Practical benefits: consistent acceptance criteria, clearer procurement contracts, reliable testing methods and traceable documentation (works certificates).
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 3154, stranded wire ropes, mine hoisting, technical delivery requirements, rope testing, breaking load, rope diameter, galvanized wire, works certificate.