Compensation Cable

Installation Guide
For Whisper-Flex® and Wide-Loop Steadi-Flex® CABLES

VERSION 1114
Important! Please read!
Warranty and safety information

WHISPER-FLEX® compensating
This guide has been prepared
cables are designed to be used in
to instruct installers in the safe
free-hanging applications in traction
and efficient installation of
elevators.
Whisper-Flex and Steadi-Flex
compensating cables. Failure STEADI-FLEX® compensating cables
to follow these procedures will are designed to be used in free-hang-
not only invalidate product war- ing applications in traction elevators
ranty, but could endanger public when a wider loop is desired.
safety. If you have any ques- With proper dampening devices, they
tions regarding installation pro- may be operated at speeds of up to
cedures, please do not hesitate 700 ft/min • 3.56 m/sec (speeds up
to call Draka Elevator Products to 350 ft/min • 1.8 m/sec without
at 877.372.5237 or 252.972.6000. them). Recommended operating
temperatures from 5°F to 140°F •
-15°C to +60°C.
Table of contents

Whisper-Flex® and Steadi-Flex® - the differences 2

Hardware required for installation 3
Visual inspection and moving the reel 4
Position the cable for unreeling 5
Install the counterweight support bracket 6
Prepare the cable end for termination 7
Attach the cable to the counterweight bracket 8
Whisper-Flex® cable loop diameters and installation diagram 9 - 10
Steadi-Flex® cable loop diameters and installation diagram 11 - 12
Attach the car support bracket 13
Secure U-bolt and place the S-hook 14
Determining which installation kit to use (JCC vs JCC-CHN) 15
Installing Whisper-Flex with the JCC kit 16 - 17
Installing Steadi-Flex / shallow pit installations with the JCC-CHN kit 18
Attach the cable to car support bracket 19
Multiple compensating cables installation 20
High speed installations 21
Using damping devices 22 - 25
Final inspection 26
Using the Whisper-Flex Strip Kit 27 - 32

1
Whisper-Flex® and Steadi-Flex® - the differences
tailored for your particular application

Whisper-Flex cable provides smooth Steadi-Flex cable is a wide-loop

operation at temperatures of -15° C version of our standard Whisper-Flex
to +60° C and, in the US, can be used compensating cable.
for elevators with rated speeds of no Because of its wider natural loop,
greater than 3.56 m/sec • 700 ft/min. Steadi-Flex cable can be positioned
Support brackets, U-bolts, S-hooks, closer to the car’s centerline. This
and heavy duty stainless steel grips improves car balance and ride quality
specifically designed for Whisper-Flex for installations with side counter-
cable must be used to ensure safe weights and long hang lengths (over
installations. 122 m • 400 ft).
Draka Elevator damping devices are When choosing Steadi-Flex, give
recommended to minimize cable special consideration to the dynamic
sway for car speeds above 1.8 m/sec • loop width. The dynamic loop width
350 ft/min. is the width of the loop when the
cable is in motion and will vary with
Steadi-Flex is NOT a car speed, distance between support
one-for-one replacement points and other factors.
for Whisper-Flex.
Pit dimension and possible
obstructions should be
considered when specifying
Steadi-Flex.
Counterweight and car
attachment points should be
spaced to match the dynamic
loop width.

2
Hardware required for installation
USE DRAKA ELEVATOR INSTALLATION KITS

Draka installation kits contain all JCC kit JCC-CHN kit

hardware needed for the safe
installation of Whisper-Flex and
Steadi-Flex compensating cable.
JCC kits are for Whisper-Flex
installations. They include a stainless
steel double eye/double weave/closed
mesh grip and one roll of electrical
tape.
JCC-CHN kits are for Steadi-Flex or
Whisper-Flex in shallow pits. They
include a 1.2 m • 4 ft chain and one or
two couplings.

BOTH kits contain

one steel S-hook,
one steel U-bolt with nuts
and washers, and
two support brackets with nuts, bolts,
flat washers and lock washers.

Using hardware other than

Draka’s could seriously
jeopardize the safety of your
installation and void any
warranty.

3
Visual inspection and moving the reel
Look for obvious damage / move cable safely

Immediately inspect the cable for

physical damage. A cut or gash could
mean a weakened and unsafe cable.
Examine the reel as well. A damaged
reel may be a sign of rough handling
in transit and may also indicate cable
damage.

Whisper-Flex and Steadi-Flex cable

may be moved by forklift.
YES
Lift the reel by the wood, not by the
cable. NO

It may also be rolled on its reel on a

firm surface. If a hoist is being used,
place a strong rod through the reel for
lifting purposes. Store the cable in a
safe place.

Do not install potentially damaged

cable. Call Draka if you have any ques-
tions regarding damaged cable.

4
Position the cable for unreeling
Work from the pit or the lowest landing

Place the cable reel in a convenient

location near the elevator (usually the
first landing or the pit floor). Reel roll-
ers are the preferred means of
supporting the reel.

Another method is to run a strong rod

or pipe through the hole in the center
of the reel. Support the pipe ends so
that the reel is off the floor enough to
rotate freely.

Pay the cable off the bottom of the YES

reel.

NEVER pay cable off the side of a reel NO

as it causes the cable to twist.

5
Install the counterweight support bracket
Drill the counterweight frame

Bring the counterweight down to a com-

fortable working level. Use the counter-
weight support bracket as a template
to mark and drill correctly-sized holes
centered on the counterweight frame.

Attach the counterweight support Lock washer

bracket to the frame by placing the flat
washer over the 13 mm • 1/2 in bolt and
running the bolt up through the bracket
and the frame. Then place the lock
washer on the bolt. Secure the bolt with
Flat washer
two nuts. Repeat with the other bolt.
Exploded view of
bolt/nuts/washers

6
Prepare the cable end for termination
Leave one-and-one-half exposed links

Expose one-and-one-half links of YES NO

undamaged chain.
Both Whisper-Flex and Steadi-Flex
may be ordered with the ends prepared
as shown. Call Draka Elevator for
details.

You may also use the Whisper-Flex

Strip Kit (part number WF-STRP) to
prepare the cable end. See pages 27 -
32 for cable preparation instructions.

7
Attach the cable to the counterweight bracket
Use the attachment bolt supplied by Draka Elevator

Place the flat washer over the chain

attachment bolt. Run the bolt through
the chain link and the bracket. Place
the lock washer on the bolt. Secure the
bolt with two nuts.

Chain attachment bolt sizes

WF075 & 10 10 mm • 3/8 in.
WF/SFC15 to 30 12 mm • 7/16 in.
WF/SFC35 & 40 13 mm • 1/2 in.

Once the cable is attached, run the

counterweight up and bring the car
down to a comfortable working level at Lock washer Flat washer
the bottom of the hoistway.

Using hardware other than

Draka’s could seriously
jeopardize the safety of your
installation and void any
warranty.

8
Whisper-Flex® cable loop diameters
Determining loop diameter

For optimum performance, there is a

specific distance between the cable
counterweight and car attachment
points - the cable loop diameter of a
hanging cable. As shown on the table
below, the loop diameter varies with
the size/weight of the cable.
Product Cable Weight Loop Diameter Max. Hanging Length*
Code lb/ft • kg/m in • cm ft • m
WF075 0.75 • 1.12 22 • 54 600 • 183
WF10 1.0 • 1.49 24 • 61 600 • 183
WF15 1.5 • 2.23 24 • 61 600 • 183
WF20 2.0 • 2.98 26 • 66 520 • 159
WF25 2.5 • 3.72 26 • 66 600 • 183
WF30 3.0 • 4.46 26 • 66 505 • 154
WF35 3.5 • 5.21 27 • 69 600 • 183
WF40 4.0 • 5.95 27 • 69 530 • 162
*Max. hanging lengths are based on a 5:1 safety factor per ASME A17.1-2013

Measured from the hanging point

of the counterweight, the cable loop
diameter provides the location of the
U-bolt.
The car support bracket is located 60 to
90 cm • 24 to 36 in. beyond the U-bolt.
Please note the JCC-CHN distances can
be reduced.

Do NOT exceed the maximum

hanging lengths shown on the
table above. Contact Draka for
longer hanging lengths.

9
 Typical Whisper-Flex installation diagram
Measuring the hanging points

Loop Diameter
(see p. 9)

Counterweight U-bolt Car

Support Bracket Support Bracket

Car frame center

S-hook Pullout switch

Cable tie

Mesh
grip

Cable Loop
Diameter Safety Loop
(see p. 9) 0.6 to 0.9 meters
24 to 36 in.

This is a typical Whisper-Flex cable

Damping installation (not to scale). The brack-
devices ets and U-bolt should all be in the
same plane.
Allow a Measure and mark the locations of
minimum of
the car support bracket and U-bolt on
1 m • 3 ft
the car frame.
Two damping devices are recom-
mended for speeds above 1.8 m/sec
• 350 ft/min. See pages 22 - 25 for
details on these devices.

10
Steadi-Flex® cable loop diameters
Determining dynamic loop width

For optimum performance, there is a

specific distance between the cable
counterweight and car attachment
points - the dynamic loop width. As
shown on the table below, the dynam-
ic loop width varies with the size/
weight of the cable.
Product Cable Weight Dynamic Loop Width Max. Hanging Length*
Code kg/m • lb/ft cm • in m • ft
SFC15 2.23 • 1.5 117 • 46 183 • 600
SFC20 2.98 • 2.0 120 • 47 159 • 520
SFC25 3.72 • 2.5 122 • 48 183 • 600
SFC30 4.46 • 3.0 125 • 49 154 • 505
SFC35 5.21 • 3.5 127 • 50 183 • 600
SFC40 5.95 • 4.0 127 • 50 162 • 530
*Max. hanging lengths are based on a 5:1 safety factor per ASME A17.1-2013

Note: at rest, Steadi-Flex cable will

bow inward slightly. If you are using
Super SwayLess devices (pages 24 -
25) to control movement, the cable
will touch the rollers at rest but will
assume the dynamic loop width in
motion.

Using hardware other than

Draka’s could seriously
jeopardize the safety of your
installation and void any
warranty.

11
 Typical Steadi-Flex installation diagram
Measuring the hanging points

Dynamic Loop Width

(see p. 11)

Counterweight U-bolt Car

Support Bracket Support Bracket

Pullout Car frame

switch center
S-hook

Safety Loop
0.6 to 0.9 meters
At rest, 24 to 36 in.
Steadi-Flex
cable will bow
inward
This is a typical Steadi-Flex cable
Dynamic
Loop Width installation (not to scale - cable
(see p. 11) bowing is also exaggerated). The
brackets and U-bolt should all be
in the same plane.
Measure and mark the locations of
the car support bracket and U-bolt on
Super
SwayLess the car frame.
damping
devices Super Swayless damping devices
(pages 24-25) are recommended for
Allow speeds above 1.8 m/sec • 350 ft/min.
1 m • 3 ft
Locate damping devices directly
below the counterweight support and
the car attachment points.

12
Attach the car support bracket
Determine hole locations and drill them

Drill properly spaced mounting holes

60 to 90 cm
for the car support bracket and the 24 to 36 in.
U-bolt on either side of your marks.
(less for JCC-CHN kits)
If using a JCC kit, the location for the
Car support
car support bracket and the U-bolt bracket location
should be 60 to 90 cm • 24 to 36 in
apart. This distance will be shorter if U-bolt location
using a JCC-CHN kit.

Attach the car support bracket to the 13 mm • 1/2 in bolts

bottom of the car frame as shown.
Lock
Car Frame washer

Flat
Exploded view washer
of bolt/nuts/
washers

13
 Secure U-bolt and place the S-hook
U-BOLT SHOULD BE VERTICAL

Install the U-bolt through the holes

in the car frame. Make sure that the
U-bolt is tightly held at a 90° angle to
the car frame.
90° 90°
Place the S-hook through the U-bolt.

The Pullout Switch should be installed

near the U-bolt. If the S-hook is acti-
vated, the cable will pull the key down-
ward and trigger the switch.

NOTE: The pullout switch kit

(WF-POSK) is sold separately.

Using hardware other than

Draka’s could seriously
jeopardize the safety of your
installation and void any
warranty.

14
Determine which installation kit to use
using the JCC OR JCC-CHN INSTALLATION KITs

Whisper-Flex requires the use of JCC Whisper-Flex uses JCC kits

installation kits (or JCC-CHN kits for
shallow pits - see below). Cable termi-
nation location is determined by which
style of installation kit is being used.
JCC kits need enough cable to form
an S-shaped safety/adjustment loop
which then connects to the car support
bracket.
Once the cable has been installed and
the loop has been formed (see pages
16 and 17), cut the cable at the point
where it reaches the support bracket.
Steadi-Flex and shallow pits require Steadi-Flex and shallow pits
the use of JCC-CHN installation kits. use JCC-CHN kit
These kits use chain and couplings to
form the safety loop. Once the cable
has been installed and the loop has
been formed (see page 18), cut the
cable four links short of the S-hook.
If the cable was not ordered with
prepared ends, see pages 27 - 32 for
instructions on using the Whisper-Flex
Strip Kit.

15
 Attach Whisper-Flex to the car
using JCC kits with a mesh grip

For JCC installations, place the mesh

grip over the end of the Whisper-Flex
cable that will be attached to the car. 1.5 - 2 m
Position the grip so that the top of the 5 - 6.5 ft
weave is between 1.5 to 2 meters • 5 to
6.5 ft from the free end of the cable.

Hang the grip from the S-hook. Adjust

the cable within the grip as needed so
that the cable hangs freely at least 15
cm • 6 in above the pit floor and forms
a ‘relaxed’ and semi-circular loop.

Excess
Allow cable
at least
15 cm • 6 in.
clearance

The cable should not bell out or hang

in a misshapen loop.

16
Form the safety/adjustment loop - JCC kits
Adjust and secure with electrical tape

For JCC installations, hang the mesh

grip from the S-hook. Compress the
mesh grip and adjust the cable so
Cable tie
that it forms a reverse curve (two half-
circles of equal size). Attach a cable tie
to help the cable exit the grip vertically.
Make sure the grip is hanging vertically.
The connecting cable tie for the pullout
switch should pass through the key’s
ring and the mesh grip eye loops.

Once positioned, secure the bottom

of the mesh grip to the cable with at
least 4 wraps of electrical tape. Make
sure that the safety loop does not
get caught on any pit equipment
(ex: car buffer).

Failure to make the safety

adjustment loop could
seriously jeopardize the safety
of your installation.

17
 Form the safety/adjustment loop - JCC-CHN kits
Attach the cable with the supplied couplings

For JCC-CHN kits for Steadi-Flex and Loop 0.6 to 0.9 meters
shallow pit applications, attach the diameter 24 to 36 in.
chain provided in the kit to the cable
with the coupling (instructions are in
the coupling package).
Use the S-hook to connect the chain to
the U-bolt. If the chain link is too small
to permit this, use the second (smaller) Use coupling with
JCC-30-CHN and
supplied coupling to make the connec- JCC-40-CHN kits
tion to the S-hook.
Allow Attach chain directly
at least to S-hook with
The connecting cable tie for the pullout JCC-10-CHN and
15 cm • 6 in.
JCC-20-CHN kits
switch should pass through the key’s
ring and a chain link.

The cable should not bell out or hang

in a misshapen loop.

Failure to make the safety

adjustment loop could
seriously jeopardize the safety
of your installation.

18
Attach the cable to car support bracket
Terminate the chain at the support bracket

Attach the exposed link from either

the cable (JCC kit) or the chain (JCC-
CHN kit) to the bracket as shown.
Place the flat washer over the chain
attachment bolt. Run the bolt through
the chain link and the bracket. Place
the lock washer on the bolt. Secure the
bolt with two nuts.
Chain attachment bolt sizes
WF075 & 10 10 mm • 3/8 in
WF/SFC15 to 30 12 mm • 7/16 in
WF/SFC35 & 40 13 mm • 1/2 in

Lock washer Flat washer

19
 Multiple compensating cables installation
For balanced loads

To optimize car balance, most instal- The cables should hang parallel to
lations call for two equally-sized each other and perpendicular to the
Whisper-Flex or Steadi-Flex cables. wall with the counterweight.
If so, position the brackets and the
U-bolt equidistant from the center of
the car, the same distance apart as
on the counterweight.

Center
of car Hanging
points are
equidistant
from center
of car

Cables
should be
of equal
weight

Steadi-Flex
installation

20
High speed installations
Installing the damping devices

Two damping devices are recom-

All cable and support devices
mended for high-speed applications
should be on the same plane
(1.78 to 3.56 m/sec • 350 to 700 ft/
within the hoistway.
min).
The devices should not guide
Position the devices a ‘loop diameter’
the cable out of its natural
apart (see page 9 for Whisper-Flex or
plane.
11 for Steadi-Flex) and directly below
the counterweight support bracket
and the Safety U-bolt/S-hook.

YES NO

YES NO

21
 Allow
1 m • 3 ft.
Using SwayLess® damping devices
for Whisper-Flex sizes Up To WF30 < 2.5 m/sec • 500 ft/min

Two SwayLess damping devices are

normally required for installation and
are mounted 1 meter • 3 ft from the
base of the loop.
SwayLess dampeners open when
unbolted. Close the SwayLess device
around the cable and bolt it back
together. The internal brass ring can be
easily replaced as it wears over time.

Rail-mounted (SL-RMB-2) and floor-

Damping
mounting (SL-FMB-48) brackets are devices
available. with
mounting
brackets

Allow
1 m • 3 ft.

When properly installed,

damping devices will keep
the cable inside its vertical
traveling plane.
It is critical that the cable travel
vertically as it passes through
the dampeners.

22
Using Super SwayLess® damping devices
for installations 2.5 to 3.56 m/sec • 500 to 700 ft/min

Two Super SwayLess damping devices

are normally required for installation
and are mounted 1 meter • 3 ft from
the base of the loop.
Use a wrench to detach one roller with
two brackets and place the dampener
around the cable. Reattach the roller
and brackets after inserting the cable.

Rail-mounted (SSL-RMB-2) and floor-

Damping
mounted (SSL-FMB-48) brackets are devices
with mounting
available. brackets

When properly installed, Allow

1 m • 3 ft.
damping devices will keep
the cable inside its vertical
traveling plane.
It is critical that the cable travel
vertically as it passes through
the dampeners.

23
 Using Super SwayLess devices with Steadi-Flex
the cable will touch the devices at rest

It is important to note that Steadi- When the car moves, the cable will
Flex cable will actually touch the roll- assume its dynamic loop width and
ers of a Super SwayLess device when touch the Super SwayLess device
at rest. This is due to the natural as part of its normal sway damping
tendency of Steadi-Flex cable to bow function.
inward when not in motion.
Counterweight U-bolt Car
Support Bracket Support Bracket

Pullout Car frame

switch center
S-hook

Cable should
be vertical
when in
motion

Inward curve of
static loop
exaggerated for
clarity

Dynamic loop
width

Cable may touch

rollers at rest,
but expand to
dynamic loop
width when in
motion

24
Using ShallowSwayless damping devices
recommended only for shallow pit installations

The ShallowSwayless is ONLY for shal-

low pit applications.
The ShallowSwayless is a sway reduc-
tion device for shallow pit applications
where there is insufficient pit depth for
SwayLess or SuperSwayless devices.
It reduces compensating cable sway
and oscillation in installations up to
3.56 m/sec • 700 ft/min. Two sizes
are available; the 27L version is for
Whisper-Flex and the 50L version is for
Steadi-Flex.
The kit includes all components
shown, including mounting bolts and
washers.

25
 Final inspection
Check all points prior to operation

Give your installation a final • if damping devices are used,

inspection. Make sure that: make sure that they are installed
• the cable has no cuts, gashes, at the recommended height
deep abrasions or damaged links above the bottom of the cable
loop
• all Support Brackets are tightly
fastened • the damping devices, if used,
do not guide the cable out of its
• both end links of the cable are
natural loop or interfere with
securely attached to the support
buffer operations.
brackets
• the pullout switch key is securely
• all U-bolts are vertical and tightly
attached to the mesh grip eye
fastened
loop (JCC kit) or a chain link
• the cable hangs vertically and (JCC-CHN kit) and that it will freely
does not touch walls, floor and vertically pull out should the
or hoistway/pit equipment S-hook activate.

A routine inspection program should be implemented to maximize

product safety and performance.

26
Cable stripping instructions
Using the Whisper-Flex Field Strip Kit

The Whisper-Flex Strip Kit (WF-STRP

- ordered separately) contains all of
the tools and accessories required to
prepare both Whisper-Flex and Steadi-
Flex cable ends for installation.
The kit contains
• an angle bracket,
• clamps to fit all sizes of cable,
• nippers,
• a utility knife,
• cable jacket cutter, a hacksaw,
• protective gloves and
• a carrying case.
Replacement tools can be ordered
individually.
Prestripped cable is available.
Call Draka Elevator for details.

27
 Attach the angle bracket to the car guide rail
Select the proper-sized clamp

Attach the angle bracket to the car

guide rail by tightening the beam
clamps using a 3/4 inch wrench.
Position the angle bracket as shown at
a comfortable working height.
Insert the proper-sized cable clamp
into the channel.
Use a screwdriver to loosen the cable
clamp.

Guide rail

Beam clamp

Cable clamp

Beam
clamp Cable goes
through clamp

28
Score the jacket with the cable jacket cutter
Establish a guide cut

Run the cable through the clamp so

that 7.5 to 10 cm • 3 to 4 in of cable is
exposed above the clamp. Tighten the
clamp with a screwdriver.
Position the cable jacket cutter about
7.5 cm • 3 in from the cable end.
Rotate the jacket cutter to score and
make a ring cut through the cable.

Score jacket Extend cable

7.5 cm • 3 in. 7.5 - 10 cm • 3 - 4 in.
from the end above clamp

29
 Cut and slit the cable jacket
Cut all the way to the chain

Once the cable is scored,

1) grab the end of the cable and bend it
as you...
2) deepen the ring cut all the way to
the chain with the utility knife. This
may require several passes with the
knife.
3) Use the utility knife to make
a vertical cut from the ring cut to the
cable end. Make sure the jacket is cut
deeply enough to reach the chain.
3) cut until
1) pull cable away you reach
from utility knife the chain

2) cut until you

reach the chain

30
Use the nippers to remove the jacket
Expose one-and-one-half links of undamaged chain

Once the ring and vertical cuts are

made, use the nippers to grab an edge
of the vertical cut and rip the jacket
from the chain. If necessary, repeat
this step for the other edge of the cut.

Repeat the stripping process as need-

ed until one-and-one-half undamaged
chain links are exposed. Discard any
cut links.

31
 Cut the cable to the correct length
Use the angle bracket as a support

Unbolt the arm of the angle bracket Return the angle bracket arm to its
that was used to prepare the coun- original position.
terweight end of the cable. Reattach Prepare the cable end as before
it so that the side with the channel/ (pages 7 to 12).
clamp is facing up.
If you are using a JCC kit with mesh
Tighten the clamp to hold the cable. grip, go to page 17 for safety loop
Use the hacksaw provided in the strip instructions.
kit to cut off the excess cable.
If you are using a JCC-CHN kit with
Clamping the cable to the angle chain, go to page 18 for safety loop
bracket helps prevent injury caused instructions.
by blade slippage.

32
Whisper-Flex, Steadi-Flex, SwayLess,
SuperSwayLess, ShallowSwayLess, the
Draka globe design and Draka Elevator
are trademarks of Prysmian.
Unauthorized reproduction, disclo-
sure or distribution of copies by any
person of any portion of this work
may be a violation of Copyright Law
of the United States of America and
other countries, could result in the
awarding of statutory damages of up
to $100,000 (17 USC 504) for infringe-
ment and may result in further civil
and criminal penalties.
Draka Elevator reserves the right to
improve, enhance, or modify the fea-
tures and specifications of Draka prod-
ucts without prior notification.

©2014 Draka Elevator.

All rights reserved. Printed in USA.
For technical assistance,
call toll free (US and Canada)
877.408.HELP (877.408.4357)

To order kits/parts,
call toll free
877.DRAKA EP (877.372.5237)

Comp Install Guide 1114

Draka Elevator
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