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Basic Rules For The Installation of Lock Wire

Lock wiring is the securing together of two or more parts with a wire, which shall be installed
in such a manner, that an additional tightening of the wire will counteract any tendency for a
part to loosen.
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.). The maximum span of
lock wire between points shall be six inches.
Where multiple groups are lock 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.

Detail 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-handed 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
Lock wire and Lock wire Hold Data
Wire Diameter Twists per Inch Recommended Hole Diameter

Hole Sizes for


Fillister Head
Machine Screws
#2 .031
#3 .037
#4 .037
#5 .046
#6 .046
#8 .046
#10 .046
#12 .046
1/4 .062
5/16 .070
3/8 .070

0.020

9-12

0.037-0.057

0.025

9-12

0.060-0.080

0.032

7-10

0.060-0.080

Hole Sizes
for
Stainless
Steel Hex
Head Cap
Screws per
MS51100
.062
5/16 .062
3/8 .062
7/16 .062
.094
5/8 .094
.094
7/8 .125
1
.125

screws & smaller use .020 wire


screws to screws use .032 wire
over screws use .042 wire

There are standards in the aerospace fastener


world for various types of products. E.g.
MS51100 covers S/S Drilled Hex Head Cap
Screws or FF-S-86E covers Drilled Socket Head
Cap Screws. However, there are no "standards" in
the commercial world. The hole size is driven by
customer requirement. Lock wire stitching to
prevent loosening is an old method that is rarely
used in the commercial world as technology in
patches and locking devices have improved. Lock
wiring is very costly and labor intensive and is
therefore avoided in less costly commercial
environments. Unlike in aero applications that can
tolerate the costs.

Services

American Drilling Company


15118 Grevillea Ave.
Lawndale, CA 90260
Phone: 310-970-1010
Fax: 310-679-0777
www.americandrill.com
American Drilling Company has been specializing in
wire hole drilling for over 40 years. We have over
200 custom built drilling machines for all your
safety-wire hole, lock wire hole and cotter-pin hole
requirements. We have over 40 employees at your
service in our wire hole-drilling department to
assure that you receive high quality and fast
delivery on every job.

R & N Machine
14020 S. Stewart Avenue
Riverdale, IL 60827
708-841-5555
708-841-6774
Randy Zart

Delta Secondary
1000 INDUSTRIAL DRIVE
BENSENVILLE, IL 60106
630-766-1180
6307-766-1285

A A Drilling & Tapping


39 Worth St
New York, NY 10013-2989
(212) 925-7190

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