Glossary/A. Hoists & Lifting Equipment
A. Hoists & Lifting Equipment

Wire Rope Hoist

wire rope hoist, electric wire rope hoist, drum hoist

What is a Wire Rope Hoist?

A wire rope hoist is a motorized lifting device that uses a grooved drum to spool wire rope for raising and lowering loads. It is the most common type of hoist in permanent theater and venue installations, offering smooth, quiet operation and precise position control.

How It Works

The motor drives a gearbox connected to a drum. Wire rope wraps around the drum grooves in precise layers. As the drum rotates, rope is spooled on or off, creating linear vertical movement. Guide rollers or rope guides ensure even spooling. The wire rope passes through head blocks and loft blocks to reach the load attachment point.

Key Specifications

ParameterTypical Range
Load Capacity100kg – 5,000kg
Lifting Speed4 – 30 m/min (VFD controlled)
Rope Diameter6mm – 20mm
Drum CapacityUp to 50m of rope
Rope TypeGalvanized steel, 6×19 or 8×19 construction
Noise Level≤ 55 dB(A) at 1m

Applications

  • Theaters: Permanent overhead flying systems
  • TV studios: Camera and lighting suspension
  • Auditoriums: Stage curtain and scenery lifting
  • Convention centers: Temporary event rigging

Related Standards

  • EN 17206:2021 — Stage machinery safety
  • EN 12385 — Steel wire rope safety requirements
  • WH/T 35-2022 — Chinese standard for stage machinery terminology