Lockwire of what minimum diameter shall be installed in holes greater than 0.045 inch?

Lockwire of what minimum diameter shall be installed in holes greater than 0.045 inch?

• A. 0.016 inch
• B. 0.032 inch
• C. 0.045 inch
• D. 0.062 inch

Answer: (B)

Lockwire size is chosen based on the hole through which it must pass and the need for enough strength to hold parts against vibration. The hole diameter sets the minimum wire thickness that will still be secure without being so large a wire that it won’t pass through or becomes overkill. When the hole is larger than 0.045 inch, the smallest wire diameter that meets the strength requirements while still fitting the hole is 0.032 inch. A smaller wire, like 0.016 inch, would fit but would not provide adequate locking strength under vibration. A larger option, such as 0.045 inch or 0.062 inch, is not the minimum for holes just over 0.045 inch—the standard practice is to use 0.032 inch as the minimum in that size range, with larger wires reserved for larger holes.

Lockwire size is chosen based on the hole through which it must pass and the need for enough strength to hold parts against vibration. The hole diameter sets the minimum wire thickness that will still be secure without being so large a wire that it won’t pass through or becomes overkill.

When the hole is larger than 0.045 inch, the smallest wire diameter that meets the strength requirements while still fitting the hole is 0.032 inch. A smaller wire, like 0.016 inch, would fit but would not provide adequate locking strength under vibration. A larger option, such as 0.045 inch or 0.062 inch, is not the minimum for holes just over 0.045 inch—the standard practice is to use 0.032 inch as the minimum in that size range, with larger wires reserved for larger holes.