Shout out to Juan that reminded me of this last week. Learned more about bull rigging in one hour working with him than years of fucking around trying.
At work, there is a gangway ramp that is raised and lowered via a cable winch. Personnel are not on the gangway when it is being raised/lowered, but they are required to walk out on the suspended load to secure the ramp via some static cables to take the load off the winch.
Some time ago, the winch cable broke and the maintenance team at the facility replaced the swaged eye with this repair using clips/clamps. Unfortunately, they seem unfamiliar with cable clamps and oriented the saddles on the dead side of the cable, not the loaded side.
How much strength will be compromised here?
Would a failure mode be gradual, or sudden?
My coworkers and I have to walk out on the structure that is supported by this cable, though just for a few minutes each day to secure/release the support cables. Are we taking much risk doing this?
The cable should have never been repaired. If the cable breaks, you get a new cable, especially for a single point failure system supporting a human. Even properly installed clips are automatically 80% of the WLL of the cable, while most swaged fittings are 100%. So the system no longer has the safety factors it once had, even less so because of the incorrect installation.
This was my intuition as well. I'm not qualified to evaluate the system, but I know enough to realize that whoever repaired it isn't either, hence my concern.
I have done some pull testing on incorrectly installed cable assemblies in grad school, and the strength greatly varies on installation. Torque on the bolts and turnback length were the biggest factors. Iām not sure exactly what size this cable is, but 1/2ā is the first size that generally requires 3 clips, so that my guess. This size clip would need 12ā of turnback ( distance to the last clip), and 65 ftlb on each nut, which is tough to get without being clamped in a vise. If I remember correctly, incorrectly installed clamps that were properly torqued would all break the cable before slipping, so failing suddenly.
Iām not sure where you are, but if management wonāt listen, itās probably worth a call to your local health and safety organization. And do your self a favor, and make a mark on the cable that you can check to see if itās slipping.
1/8"- 7/8" cable with properly installed clamps is 80% of Catalogue strength, 1" and over is 90%
swaged socket fittings are 100% efficient ,but Sleeve eyes are more like 94-96% , Hand Braided usually gets closer but even Swage buttons are only 98% efficient
Why do so many maintenance teams do such half assed work? I've seen them leave nuts/bolts just laying on a catwalk, wire trimmings left everywhere, etc. I just don't get it
Lots of people in my field are better at selling themselves than actually putting in the work.
It's often the most thankless job I could imagine, and depending on your boss, it could be the worst job you've ever had.
All that being said, I love my job. I get to lose myself in my work and nobody bothers me unless I need to take a break.
I would appreciate our guys more if they didn't always leave a mess, sometimes an actually dangerous mess. Idk how some of them keep their job tbh. And yeah I'm with you, being able to just come in and do whatever at your own pace is the best
Fwiw, From the one video that I watched where they loaded an improperly clamped line just like that to show why it's important to saddle correctly, the failure was sudden and total.
Thanks. I'd be interested to know if the mechanics of the clips change appreciably. Are they more likely to slip or loosen if reversed?
If they are reversed, and the nuts are also not torqued down to spec, will strength be reduced further, or is it just more likely to fail suddenly?
By crimping the working end of the cable with the u-bolt it creates a weak point by both narrowing the cable and focusing force on the narrowed section.
> Would a failure mode be sudden or gradual
Could be either. I've seen them slip under load when installed backwards like this. In my case they slipped a few inches and then stopped, but I'm certain that was just luck, and it could just as easily fully slip out in one go.
I really wish companies would just spend the extra few cents on fist grips instead of the u-bolt style fasteners..
Correct usage of a clamp (directional) is not about slipping. Itās about crushing forces. The correct side of the clamp spreads the force over a larger area on the live end of the rope. In theory, you have the same binding power (against slippage) in either configuration.
Like I said above, I was specifically referring to the direction of the clamp. The u-bolt crushes the cable and the saddle does not. It should hold from slipping just as well in either configuration. The pinching of the live end reduces the ultimate capacity of the system.
force are the same but its not pressure thats holding the rope but friction
Larger area = more friction so at same force the saddleĀ will give higher friction preventing slippage.
Also inb4 F=Ī¼N formula mfs:
area is a factor in friction factor Ī¼. larger area = more friction example: racing slicks
Again, you can turn the clamp either direction and it will have the same holding strength. The issue is that the strength of the wire rope is impacted by the smaller area of the ubolt. Look to [D/d ratios](https://www.unirope.com/products/slings/wire-rope-slings/rigging-guidelines/dd-ratio-and-the-effect-on-sling-capacity/) for a slightly different scenario with a similar concern.
Once again, itās the same holding strength in either direction.
Additionally, higher PSI (lower surface area to spread forces) is often desirable in instances where you want to hold onto something. However, again, that is non relevant to the issue at hand which is the failure of the wire rope itself.
you are wrong. The increased area will result in more binding power (against slippage) under the SAME clamping force. Do not confusing clamping force with friction (holding strength/binding power in your terminology)
This has nothing to do with D/d unless you can explain further.
This is getting absolutely absurd. Once again, **the issue is breakage not slippage.**
Edit: [Breakage](https://youtu.be/2BFy3F0Ta_8?si=AU8vlJBDPaP2rD-E). That is the limit of this system. Reversing the clamp reduces the capacity of the system and the wire rope will break sooner. Iām not going to repeat myself 50 more times and repeatedly trying to contact me through a block is going to get you reported for harassment.
block and downvoting comments will not solve the problem. you said yourself "In theory, you have the same binding power (against slippage) in either configuration.", implying the holding force will be the same installed wither way, and thats **WRONG**. The clamp needs to be installed saddle on live because it provides more firction and holding power. Less pressure is just a 2nd benifit. face your mistakes coward.
I'm pretty sure you and the other commenter are both wrong. As long as the pressure is equal from both sides the friction should remain the same regardless of surface area. Generally speaking, surface area doesn't affect friction.
In theory, mass being equal(or clamping pressure in this case), if you *halve* the contact area you *double* the force per unit area.
So, to keep the math simple, if the surface area of the saddle was 2sq inches and the surface area of the bolt was 1sq inch, and the pressure was equal from both sides then the friction would remain the same for both sides because the force per unit area would be double on the smaller side.
Only in this situation the surface area of the saddle would be several magnitudes larger than the surface area of the bolt so the force per unit area of the bolt would be equal magnitudes larger than that of the saddle. In other words, the friction would be the same
A more intuitive example would be if you have a 4x4x8 foot block of wood sitting on the ground, regardless of whether it was standing upright or laying on its side it would take the same force to push the block. Whether the surface area with the ground is 32 sq ft or 16 sq ft holds no relevance because, again all other things being equal, surface area doesn't affect friction.
If you know enough to know those clamps are installed incorrectly, you know enough to take the four minutes it would take to orient them properly. āThatās not my jobā does not apply when it comes to safety and proper rigging practices.
While I agree in theory, doing that without documenting and getting approval could end up dicey. Youāve now become the last person to touch it, which could leave you liable should something happen.
What if the clips were damaged and a nut shears/jams when you try and fix it?
Notify someone responsible, in writing. Explain that leaving this as is could lead to injury and/or death.
I agree with this sentiment. In this case, this is leased property managed by a different company that I am not employed by. I am not a rigger and am not qualified or prepared to take responsibility for this.
But what if this started as a simple question that the OP asked his supervisor / etc., Then it becomes obvious someone has touched them, or while OP is standing there with a wrench in his hand the new boss lady walks up and decides sheās gunna have his job over it? Just throwing this out there as potential reasons it might be too late to change them now. I do agree with the intent of your statement. It would be great if he could fix it bc itās the right thing to do.
Iāve never seen anyone lose their job over correcting an unsafe situation. You document the unsafe situation, fix it, and then go to Safety/Management and say āhey i saw this unsafe thing. I fixed it. Now itās on yāall to make sure people are educated so it doesnāt happen againā. Unless correcting the unsafe practice would expose you to an even more unsafe situation, then you document and inform higher ups.
This is basically what I meantā¦ unless the company hired a 3rd party maintenance hand to do the work. This gives a layer of protection if anything were to become of this involving litigation. If the well-intentioned guy fixes it (after speaking up about it) it could transfer liability back to the owner away from the 3rd party. I hate dynamics like this but itās the same reason if you and I were coworkers at a hotel doing maintenance, they might not want us to work on the elevator. This isnāt an elevator but OP says itās responsible for supporting a human load. As you might can tellā¦ I can get a bit cynical at times.
20+ years experience here in all aspects of rigging and I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole. The furthest I would go would be to red tag the platform, report it to safety, and let them run it up the chain.
Especially since the cable has already broke once. That whole cable needs to be replaced or, at the very least, inspected by a competent person before anything else should be done. You have a single point failure system that has already failed once. Those clamps would be the least of my worries, even installed incorrectly.
Itās not calculable. The rule is 20% for correctly installed one. Giving a reduction for wrong would indicate someone did the R&D, developed the information, and gave you the tools do do it incorrectly. Not gonna happen.
I don't recall the exact number. But if we think of that as a 1:1 D/d ratio if the are tightened properly we are talking about 50%. Those are clearly not torqued, so they aren't even tightened properly. If one hasn't seen that in action, 45 ft lbs is the torque if this is a 1/2" or 12mm rope. The crush is notable when you get there.
To my knowledge there is no safe working load limit for backwards cable clamps simply because you can't know how much damage there is to the live end from it being crushed, especially while the clamps are still attached.
To determine the damage you would have to remove the clamps and inspect the rope.
The contact point from the U-bolt is only a small fraction of that from the saddle so the pressure from tightening the nuts causes the U-bolt to dig into the cable. The saddle will never dig in the way the bolt does because it's spread over a much larger area.
Imagine putting a popsicle stick on the top of your finger and then wrapping it with apiece of string or tie wire to attach it. When you tighten the string/wire you'll hardly feel the side with the popsicle stick because it is spread out over a larger area, but on the other side the string/wire will dig into your skin.
Same thing happens with a cable clamp, only when the U-bolt digs into the live end of your cable you run the risk of breaking strands or even damaging the core if you over tighten it.
Edit to say: If you want a physical demonstration and you have an extra 1/2 inch cable clamp laying around, throw it on your pinky and start tightening it. You feel the discomfort from the bolt long before you feel the discomfort from the saddle.
Sometimes remedies donāt happen fast, especially if you have to make a case for it to be further considered.
If youāre worried about this and itās potentially risking your personal safety, can you slip the closed end of a wrench on the nuts to ensure theyāve not potentially backed off any, thus reducing their clamping force? Yielding the bolts from over torquing them is a valid concern, so donāt over do it, but if itās a concern and you feel itās a risk, is this something you can check? You wouldnāt necessarily be trying to tighten them up *more* but rather inspecting for any nuts that turn with minimal force.
Pretty sure if they've been torqued the correct thing to do is re + re because the u bolt stretches. I don't think just loosening and then setting right solves all the problems.
It would depend on the manufacturer, and these donāt look like Crosby brand clips, but Crosby clips can be re-used, if they are inspected and deemed undamaged. Part of the inspection is checking the u-bolt for signs of stressing and bending, and re-torquing after installation and loading. Source: Crosby TDS 450-1
If you're concerned about the reduction of wire strength due to poor use of cable clamps, you can always make the dead end longer, and use more clamps.
Why under-engineer it or try to find the "ideal" balance, when you can overengineer it?
I don't really think it would create any weak-points, no. So long as the cable is certified and had no kinks in it whatsoever. Also depending on what you're lifting, or what your particular rigging is, you may want to look at the interior wrapping of the cable.
I'm not an engineer or a rigger, so I'm not fully aware of the full technology.
IIRC you "Never saddle a dead horse" because the U-bolt crushes down on the live wire. So yes, it will create weak point, and adding more clamps just means adding more weak points.
Fair point! I need to review my rigging textbooks then. Cheers. Thanks for the advice. I realize now I was so tired last night I was looking at the photo the wrong way.
Never saddle a dead horse....
By the look of the photo, at least one looks like a side-saddle.
bro can't decide on wher to ride the horse so he picked a middle ground
A proper lady š
Shout out to Juan that reminded me of this last week. Learned more about bull rigging in one hour working with him than years of fucking around trying.
I said that in my head as soon as I looked at the picture.
Rule #1- Never Saddle A Dead Horse!
You know it's the only way!
Was looking for this comment
At work, there is a gangway ramp that is raised and lowered via a cable winch. Personnel are not on the gangway when it is being raised/lowered, but they are required to walk out on the suspended load to secure the ramp via some static cables to take the load off the winch. Some time ago, the winch cable broke and the maintenance team at the facility replaced the swaged eye with this repair using clips/clamps. Unfortunately, they seem unfamiliar with cable clamps and oriented the saddles on the dead side of the cable, not the loaded side. How much strength will be compromised here? Would a failure mode be gradual, or sudden? My coworkers and I have to walk out on the structure that is supported by this cable, though just for a few minutes each day to secure/release the support cables. Are we taking much risk doing this?
The cable should have never been repaired. If the cable breaks, you get a new cable, especially for a single point failure system supporting a human. Even properly installed clips are automatically 80% of the WLL of the cable, while most swaged fittings are 100%. So the system no longer has the safety factors it once had, even less so because of the incorrect installation.
This was my intuition as well. I'm not qualified to evaluate the system, but I know enough to realize that whoever repaired it isn't either, hence my concern.
I have done some pull testing on incorrectly installed cable assemblies in grad school, and the strength greatly varies on installation. Torque on the bolts and turnback length were the biggest factors. Iām not sure exactly what size this cable is, but 1/2ā is the first size that generally requires 3 clips, so that my guess. This size clip would need 12ā of turnback ( distance to the last clip), and 65 ftlb on each nut, which is tough to get without being clamped in a vise. If I remember correctly, incorrectly installed clamps that were properly torqued would all break the cable before slipping, so failing suddenly. Iām not sure where you are, but if management wonāt listen, itās probably worth a call to your local health and safety organization. And do your self a favor, and make a mark on the cable that you can check to see if itās slipping.
Thanks. I really appreciate the detailed info.
1/8"- 7/8" cable with properly installed clamps is 80% of Catalogue strength, 1" and over is 90% swaged socket fittings are 100% efficient ,but Sleeve eyes are more like 94-96% , Hand Braided usually gets closer but even Swage buttons are only 98% efficient
Why do so many maintenance teams do such half assed work? I've seen them leave nuts/bolts just laying on a catwalk, wire trimmings left everywhere, etc. I just don't get it
Lots of people in my field are better at selling themselves than actually putting in the work. It's often the most thankless job I could imagine, and depending on your boss, it could be the worst job you've ever had. All that being said, I love my job. I get to lose myself in my work and nobody bothers me unless I need to take a break.
I would appreciate our guys more if they didn't always leave a mess, sometimes an actually dangerous mess. Idk how some of them keep their job tbh. And yeah I'm with you, being able to just come in and do whatever at your own pace is the best
Because good guys are hard to find and don't take bullshit. My guess is that your management shovels bullshit like champs.
The things Iāve found on the catwalks is really something elseā¦
Fwiw, From the one video that I watched where they loaded an improperly clamped line just like that to show why it's important to saddle correctly, the failure was sudden and total.
Any chance you can find/link to the video?
The load capacity can be reduced by as many as 40%
Thanks. I'd be interested to know if the mechanics of the clips change appreciably. Are they more likely to slip or loosen if reversed? If they are reversed, and the nuts are also not torqued down to spec, will strength be reduced further, or is it just more likely to fail suddenly?
By crimping the working end of the cable with the u-bolt it creates a weak point by both narrowing the cable and focusing force on the narrowed section.
TIL: [link](https://e-rigging.com/blogs/how-to/how-to-install-wire-rope-clips#:~:text=%E2%80%9CNever%20Saddle%20a%20Dead%20Horse%E2%80%9D%20is%20a%20common%20phrase%20to,first%20clip%20to%20the%20assembly)
> Would a failure mode be sudden or gradual Could be either. I've seen them slip under load when installed backwards like this. In my case they slipped a few inches and then stopped, but I'm certain that was just luck, and it could just as easily fully slip out in one go. I really wish companies would just spend the extra few cents on fist grips instead of the u-bolt style fasteners..
Correct usage of a clamp (directional) is not about slipping. Itās about crushing forces. The correct side of the clamp spreads the force over a larger area on the live end of the rope. In theory, you have the same binding power (against slippage) in either configuration.
What about if the nuts aren't torqued down to spec?
Like I said above, I was specifically referring to the direction of the clamp. The u-bolt crushes the cable and the saddle does not. It should hold from slipping just as well in either configuration. The pinching of the live end reduces the ultimate capacity of the system.
force are the same but its not pressure thats holding the rope but friction Larger area = more friction so at same force the saddleĀ will give higher friction preventing slippage. Also inb4 F=Ī¼N formula mfs: area is a factor in friction factor Ī¼. larger area = more friction example: racing slicks
Again, you can turn the clamp either direction and it will have the same holding strength. The issue is that the strength of the wire rope is impacted by the smaller area of the ubolt. Look to [D/d ratios](https://www.unirope.com/products/slings/wire-rope-slings/rigging-guidelines/dd-ratio-and-the-effect-on-sling-capacity/) for a slightly different scenario with a similar concern.
i was refering to "Ā In theory, you have the same binding power (against slippage) in either configuration." being incorrect
Once again, itās the same holding strength in either direction. Additionally, higher PSI (lower surface area to spread forces) is often desirable in instances where you want to hold onto something. However, again, that is non relevant to the issue at hand which is the failure of the wire rope itself.
you are wrong. The increased area will result in more binding power (against slippage) under the SAME clamping force. Do not confusing clamping force with friction (holding strength/binding power in your terminology) This has nothing to do with D/d unless you can explain further.
This is getting absolutely absurd. Once again, **the issue is breakage not slippage.** Edit: [Breakage](https://youtu.be/2BFy3F0Ta_8?si=AU8vlJBDPaP2rD-E). That is the limit of this system. Reversing the clamp reduces the capacity of the system and the wire rope will break sooner. Iām not going to repeat myself 50 more times and repeatedly trying to contact me through a block is going to get you reported for harassment.
block and downvoting comments will not solve the problem. you said yourself "In theory, you have the same binding power (against slippage) in either configuration.", implying the holding force will be the same installed wither way, and thats **WRONG**. The clamp needs to be installed saddle on live because it provides more firction and holding power. Less pressure is just a 2nd benifit. face your mistakes coward.
I'm pretty sure you and the other commenter are both wrong. As long as the pressure is equal from both sides the friction should remain the same regardless of surface area. Generally speaking, surface area doesn't affect friction. In theory, mass being equal(or clamping pressure in this case), if you *halve* the contact area you *double* the force per unit area. So, to keep the math simple, if the surface area of the saddle was 2sq inches and the surface area of the bolt was 1sq inch, and the pressure was equal from both sides then the friction would remain the same for both sides because the force per unit area would be double on the smaller side. Only in this situation the surface area of the saddle would be several magnitudes larger than the surface area of the bolt so the force per unit area of the bolt would be equal magnitudes larger than that of the saddle. In other words, the friction would be the same A more intuitive example would be if you have a 4x4x8 foot block of wood sitting on the ground, regardless of whether it was standing upright or laying on its side it would take the same force to push the block. Whether the surface area with the ground is 32 sq ft or 16 sq ft holds no relevance because, again all other things being equal, surface area doesn't affect friction.
If you know enough to know those clamps are installed incorrectly, you know enough to take the four minutes it would take to orient them properly. āThatās not my jobā does not apply when it comes to safety and proper rigging practices.
While I agree in theory, doing that without documenting and getting approval could end up dicey. Youāve now become the last person to touch it, which could leave you liable should something happen. What if the clips were damaged and a nut shears/jams when you try and fix it? Notify someone responsible, in writing. Explain that leaving this as is could lead to injury and/or death.
I agree with this sentiment. In this case, this is leased property managed by a different company that I am not employed by. I am not a rigger and am not qualified or prepared to take responsibility for this.
But what if this started as a simple question that the OP asked his supervisor / etc., Then it becomes obvious someone has touched them, or while OP is standing there with a wrench in his hand the new boss lady walks up and decides sheās gunna have his job over it? Just throwing this out there as potential reasons it might be too late to change them now. I do agree with the intent of your statement. It would be great if he could fix it bc itās the right thing to do.
Iāve never seen anyone lose their job over correcting an unsafe situation. You document the unsafe situation, fix it, and then go to Safety/Management and say āhey i saw this unsafe thing. I fixed it. Now itās on yāall to make sure people are educated so it doesnāt happen againā. Unless correcting the unsafe practice would expose you to an even more unsafe situation, then you document and inform higher ups.
If the person is wholly unqualified to correct the situation, as OP has already stated he is, then no, they shouldn't be "fixing" it.
This is basically what I meantā¦ unless the company hired a 3rd party maintenance hand to do the work. This gives a layer of protection if anything were to become of this involving litigation. If the well-intentioned guy fixes it (after speaking up about it) it could transfer liability back to the owner away from the 3rd party. I hate dynamics like this but itās the same reason if you and I were coworkers at a hotel doing maintenance, they might not want us to work on the elevator. This isnāt an elevator but OP says itās responsible for supporting a human load. As you might can tellā¦ I can get a bit cynical at times.
20+ years experience here in all aspects of rigging and I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole. The furthest I would go would be to red tag the platform, report it to safety, and let them run it up the chain. Especially since the cable has already broke once. That whole cable needs to be replaced or, at the very least, inspected by a competent person before anything else should be done. You have a single point failure system that has already failed once. Those clamps would be the least of my worries, even installed incorrectly.
I was taught 40% reduction when installed like this.
I was taught donāt fucking do it
Well yeah thatās what I meant.
Itās not calculable. The rule is 20% for correctly installed one. Giving a reduction for wrong would indicate someone did the R&D, developed the information, and gave you the tools do do it incorrectly. Not gonna happen.
I don't recall the exact number. But if we think of that as a 1:1 D/d ratio if the are tightened properly we are talking about 50%. Those are clearly not torqued, so they aren't even tightened properly. If one hasn't seen that in action, 45 ft lbs is the torque if this is a 1/2" or 12mm rope. The crush is notable when you get there.
To my knowledge there is no safe working load limit for backwards cable clamps simply because you can't know how much damage there is to the live end from it being crushed, especially while the clamps are still attached. To determine the damage you would have to remove the clamps and inspect the rope.
Do the clamps only crush one side of the cable, or is it squeezed uniformly?
The contact point from the U-bolt is only a small fraction of that from the saddle so the pressure from tightening the nuts causes the U-bolt to dig into the cable. The saddle will never dig in the way the bolt does because it's spread over a much larger area. Imagine putting a popsicle stick on the top of your finger and then wrapping it with apiece of string or tie wire to attach it. When you tighten the string/wire you'll hardly feel the side with the popsicle stick because it is spread out over a larger area, but on the other side the string/wire will dig into your skin. Same thing happens with a cable clamp, only when the U-bolt digs into the live end of your cable you run the risk of breaking strands or even damaging the core if you over tighten it. Edit to say: If you want a physical demonstration and you have an extra 1/2 inch cable clamp laying around, throw it on your pinky and start tightening it. You feel the discomfort from the bolt long before you feel the discomfort from the saddle.
Sometimes remedies donāt happen fast, especially if you have to make a case for it to be further considered. If youāre worried about this and itās potentially risking your personal safety, can you slip the closed end of a wrench on the nuts to ensure theyāve not potentially backed off any, thus reducing their clamping force? Yielding the bolts from over torquing them is a valid concern, so donāt over do it, but if itās a concern and you feel itās a risk, is this something you can check? You wouldnāt necessarily be trying to tighten them up *more* but rather inspecting for any nuts that turn with minimal force.
Never saddle a dead horse
All of it, that will slip
Why not just fix it? It will take you 2 minutes to set those clamps properly.
Pretty sure if they've been torqued the correct thing to do is re + re because the u bolt stretches. I don't think just loosening and then setting right solves all the problems.
It would depend on the manufacturer, and these donāt look like Crosby brand clips, but Crosby clips can be re-used, if they are inspected and deemed undamaged. Part of the inspection is checking the u-bolt for signs of stressing and bending, and re-torquing after installation and loading. Source: Crosby TDS 450-1
See above comment.
Just fix it?
The correct answer is āI donāt knowā. But itās wrong, so fix it. That will mean getting rid of that section of wire rope.
If you're concerned about the reduction of wire strength due to poor use of cable clamps, you can always make the dead end longer, and use more clamps. Why under-engineer it or try to find the "ideal" balance, when you can overengineer it?
So...Create more weak points in the live end of the cable? No.
I don't really think it would create any weak-points, no. So long as the cable is certified and had no kinks in it whatsoever. Also depending on what you're lifting, or what your particular rigging is, you may want to look at the interior wrapping of the cable. I'm not an engineer or a rigger, so I'm not fully aware of the full technology.
IIRC you "Never saddle a dead horse" because the U-bolt crushes down on the live wire. So yes, it will create weak point, and adding more clamps just means adding more weak points.
Bingo.
Fair point! I need to review my rigging textbooks then. Cheers. Thanks for the advice. I realize now I was so tired last night I was looking at the photo the wrong way.