A wire rope socket is for permanent fixing to a wire rope. They provide the rope with a solid fitting for easier anchoring. The main types are spelter sockets and wedge sockets. Sockets are used in many areas including oil platforms, bridge construction and towing.
A spelter socket, attaches a termination fitting onto the end of a wire rope cable by pouring molten zinc or resin into a socket that then hardens and holds the fitting onto the end of the cable. Spelter sockets are one of the most efficient types of wire rope end attachments—delivering 100% efficiency of rope breaking strength.
An open socket has a pin or bolt that can attach the wire rope assembly to another type of fitting, or possibly a hook block.
A closed socket fitting has a hole in it that is designed to accept a pin or bolt.