Engineering reference
Units & Load Terminology
A short primer on the units and load terms used throughout this catalogue. Safe Working Loads and certification are always confirmed per project and per order — work to the certificate, not the catalogue.
Units Used in This Catalogue
| Mass | t (tonne) |
|---|---|
| Mass | kg (kilogram) |
| Mass conversion | 1 t = 1 000 kg |
| Force | kN (kilonewton) — ≈ 9.81 kN per tonne of force (≈ 10 kN/t as a working rule) |
| Length | mm — all dimensions in mm unless stated otherwise |
| Container length | ft — nominal ISO lengths: 10, 20, 40 and 45 ft |
| Angle | ° (degrees) |
Load Terminology
| SWL / WLL | Safe Working Load / Working Load Limit — the maximum load a device may carry in normal service. Used interchangeably in this catalogue. |
|---|---|
| MBL | Minimum Breaking Load — the load at which a device is expected to fail. Always well above the SWL. |
| Proof load | A test load above the SWL but below the MBL, applied to verify a device without damaging it. |
| Safety factor | The ratio MBL ÷ SWL. Lifting and lashing gear carries a margin (commonly 4× to 6×); the governing standard or certificate gives the exact figure for each item. |