Tower Guy Wires & Wire Rope Cable Assemblies

Wire rope and cable assemblies are used to stabilize, support, and secure tower structures. Common applications include guy wires for communication (antenna) towers, support cables for lighting and surveillance towers, and structural reinforcement systems for both permanent and temporary installations.

A guy wire is a tensioned cable strand used to stabilize tall structures such as communication towers and antenna masts. It anchors the structure to the ground or another fixed point, helping it withstand wind loads and environmental forces. ASTM A475 EHS (extra high strength) 1×7 construction galvanized strand is commonly used for guy strands. Some large scale towers may require 3/4″, 7/8” or 1” diameters typically 1×19 strand construction per ASTM A586. For both ASTM A475 and ASTM A586, Class A galvanized is the most common.

Wire rope (strand) assemblies are used in communication antenna towers, radio and cellular towers, surveillance towers, utility and transmission towers, lighting towers, and temporary or mobile tower systems.

Tower cable strand assemblies are typically made from galvanized steel. Galvanized steel, 1×7 EHS (extra high strength) per ASTM A475, is commonly used for its strength, rigidity, and cost-effectiveness. Some large scale towers may require 3/4″, 7/8” or 1” diameters typically 1×19 strand construction per ASTM A586. For both ASTM A475 and ASTM A586, Class A galvanized is the most common.

Common ASTM standards for tower applications include ASTM A475, ASTM A363, and ASTM A586. These standards define the material properties, strength, and performance requirements for guy strands and wire rope used in structural support systems.

Wire rope assemblies provide tension support that distributes loads and reduces structural stress. Properly installed guy wires help maintain tower alignment and prevent movement or failure under wind, snow, rain and environmental loads.

Common hardware includes jaw & eye turnbuckles, screw-pin anchor shackles, forged wire rope clips, and heavy-duty thimbles. These components are used to secure, tension, and connect the cable strand assemblies within the tower system.

Yes. Tower cable assemblies can be customized based on length, diameter, material, coating, and hardware requirements. Customization is essential for meeting the specific needs of different tower designs and environmental conditions. Mobile towers may require ready to deploy guy cables. Lexco can factory swage open swage sockets onto one or both sides of these mobile tower guy strand cables.

Guy strand is 1×7 or 1×19 construction, which is specifically engineered for structural support and is typically used in tower stabilization. It is engineered for high tensile strength and minimal stretch, while standard wire rope may be used in a broader range of applications.

Yes. Tower cable assemblies are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions including high winds, temperature fluctuations, and exposure to moisture. Material selection and proper installation are critical for long-term performance.

Tower cable strand assemblies are installed using anchoring systems and tensioning hardware such as turnbuckles. Due to their rigidity, 1×7 and 1×19 are too stiff to form loops. Therefore dead-end terminations are recommended to avoid tight bends. Preforms (also known as big-grip dead ends), swage sockets, and spelter sockets are typical strand terminations. 1×7 strand is also used for barrier cables which similarly require dead-end terminations at posts or columns, but for this application a barrel wedge anchor is typical. Proper termination and tensioning is essential to ensure structural stability and must be performed according to engineering specifications.

Tower cable strand assemblies should be regularly inspected for corrosion, wear, tension loss, and damage, especially after severe weather events. Routine inspections are critical for maintaining safety and ensuring continued structural integrity.

Yes. Lexco Cable provides cable strand assemblies for both permanent tower structures and temporary or rapidly deployable systems, offering flexibility for a wide range of applications.

Industries that rely on tower cable strand assemblies include telecommunications, utilities, defense and military, surveillance and security, construction, and infrastructure development.

Lexco Cable combines extensive manufacturing experience with custom engineering capabilities to deliver reliable tower cable assemblies. Their focus on quality, compliance, and performance ensures dependable support for critical tower applications.