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The Use of Lock Wire

The document provides guidance on lock wiring, which involves securing parts together with wire to prevent loosening. It recommends wire diameters and twists per inch. The common method is a double twist, with one twist being 180 degrees. Caution must be exercised during twisting to avoid damage to the wire. Lock wire should not cause chafing or additional tension beyond preventing loosening.

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Daniel Peraza
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54 views2 pages

The Use of Lock Wire

The document provides guidance on lock wiring, which involves securing parts together with wire to prevent loosening. It recommends wire diameters and twists per inch. The common method is a double twist, with one twist being 180 degrees. Caution must be exercised during twisting to avoid damage to the wire. Lock wire should not cause chafing or additional tension beyond preventing loosening.

Uploaded by

Daniel Peraza
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Use of Lock Wire - A Guide

Lock wiring* is the securing together of two or more parts with


a wire which shall be installed in such a manner that any
tendency for a part to loosen will be counteracted by an
additional tightening of the wire.

For general purpose lock wiring, use the preferred sizes in


Table 1-1. Use smaller diameter wire where parts are too
small to permit a hole diameter to accommodate the preferred
sizes, or where space limitations preclude the use of the
preferred sizes. The larger sizes are used where stronger
wire is required. Wire diameter of .032 is the most commonly
used.

The common method of installing lock wire shall consist of


two strands of wire twisted together (so called "Double Twist"
method). (One twist is defined as being produced by twisting
the wires through an arc of 180 degrees and is equivalent to
half of a complete turn.) The single strand method of lock
wiring may be used for some applications, such as in a closely spaced, closed geometrical pattern
(triangle, square, rectangle, circle, etc.) parts in electrical system.

Where multiple groups are locked by either the double twist or the single strand method, the
maximum number in a series shall be determined by the number of units that can be lock wired by a
twenty-four inch length of wire.

Wire shall be pulled taut while being twisted. The number of twists per inch as recorded in Table 1-
1, represents general practice and is given as guidance information only.

Caution must be exercised during the twisting operation to keep the wire tight without overstressing.
Abrasions caused by commercially available wire twisting pliers shall be acceptable but nicks, kinks,
and other damage to the wire are not.

Lock wire shall not be installed in such a manner as to cause the wire to be subjected to chafing,
fatigue through vibration, or additional tension other than the tension imposed on the wire to prevent
loosening. In the event that no wire hole is provided, wiring should be to a convenient neighboring
part in a manner so as not to interfere with the function of the parts. Hose and electrical coupling
nuts shall be wired in the same manner as tube coupling nuts.

Various examples of lock wiring are shown in Figures 1-1 through 1-12. Figure 1-12 shows the
single-stranded method, while the other figures show the two-stranded or double twist method.

Detailed Instructions For The Installation Of Lock Wire

Check the units to be lock wired to make sure that they have been correctly torqued. Under-torquing
or over-torquing to obtain proper alignment of the holes is not advisable. If it is impossible to obtain
a proper alignment within the specified torque limits, back off the unit and try it again or select
another unit.
In adjacent units, it is desirable that the holes be in approximately the same relationship to each
other as shown in Figures 1-1 through 1-4 (for right-hand threads), thus the lock wire will have a
tendency to pull the unit clockwise. This should be reversed for left-handed threads.

Where lock wire is used to secure a castellated nut on a threaded item, selection of locking hole
diameter for the item shall be based on cotter pin requirements.

Table 1-1

Lockwire and Lockwire Hold Data

Wire
Twists per Inch Recommended Hole Diameter
Diameter
0.020 9-12 0.037-0.057
0.025 9-12 0.060-0.080
0.032 7-10 0.060-0.080

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