Working load limit

Safe Working Load (SWL) sometimes stated as the Normal Working Load (NWL) is the maximum safe force that a piece of lifting equipment, lifting device or accessory can exert to lift, suspend, or lower, a given mass without fear of breaking. Usually marked on the equipment by the manufacturer. It is a calculation of the Minimum Breaking Strength (MBS) and its risk factor, usually five to one (5:1 or 1/5) for lifting equipment although other fractions may be used such as 1/4, 1/6 and 1/10.[1][2][3]

Other synonyms include Working Load Limit (WLL), which is the maximum working load designed by the manufacturer. This load represents a force that is much less than that required to make the lifting equipment fail or yield, also known as the Minimum Breaking Load (MBL). SWL or WLL are calculated by dividing MBL by a safety factor (SF). An example of this would be a chain that has a MBL of 2000 lbf (8.89 kN) would have a SWL or WLL of 400 lbf (1.78 kN) if a safety factor of 5 (5:1, 5 to 1, or 1/5) is used.

As such:

WLL = MBL / SF

References

  1. ↑ Working Load Limit. "Working Load Limit Defined and Replaces Safe Working Load Terminology".
  2. ↑ njSWL. "safe working load". Retrieved 27 September 2012.
  3. ↑ Working Load. "Working Load & Safety Factors". Retrieved 28 September 2012.
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