Cable Stockings

Australian Made Cable Stockings

LB Wire Ropes manufactures Expanda Cable Stockings® in Australia for cable pulling, cable support and hose restraint applications.

Manufactured since 1976, the Expanda range includes galvanised wire, stainless steel wire and non-conductive nylon cable stockings in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, including standard, heavy-duty and custom-made designs.

Our technical team can assist with selecting a cable stocking to suit the cable or hose diameter, application, required capacity and operating environment.

Need help selecting the correct cable stocking? Contact our technical team ›

Cable Stockings for Pulling, Supporting & Restraining

Cable stockings are flexible mesh devices designed to grip the outside of cables, hoses, pipes and other cylindrical objects.

As load is applied, the woven stocking grips the outside of the item, allowing pulling or supporting forces to be distributed over a length of the cable or hose rather than concentrated at a single attachment point.

LB Wire Ropes manufactures Expanda Cable Stockings® for applications ranging from cable installation and support through to industrial hose restraint.

Australian Made Expanda Cable Stockings®

Expanda Cable Stockings® have been manufactured in Australia by LB Wire Ropes since 1976.

Our manufacturing capability allows us to produce a broad range of standard cable stockings as well as custom and made-to-measure designs for applications that cannot be adequately served by a standard product.

Expanda Cable Stockings are available in galvanised wire, stainless steel wire and non-conductive nylon constructions depending on the application and operating environment.

Learn more about Expanda Cable Stockings ›

Cable Pulling Stockings

Cable pulling stockings provide a temporary gripping point for pulling electrical cable, communications cable and other suitable cables during installation.

The flexible mesh construction grips the cable as pulling force is applied and distributes the load along the section contained within the stocking.

Different configurations are available according to the cable diameter, pulling arrangement and required capacity.

Applications can include:

• Electrical cable installation
• Communications and data cable installation
• Cable pulling through conduits and ducts
• Industrial cable installation
• Underground cable installation
• General cable hauling and positioning

Cable stockings should be selected according to the cable diameter, intended pulling arrangement and required load capacity.

Cable Support Stockings

Cable support stockings are designed to support the weight of suitable hanging or suspended cables and help transfer the load away from individual cable termination or connection points.

They can be used where electrical, communications or other cables require additional mechanical support in vertical or suspended installations.

The appropriate stocking depends on factors including cable diameter, cable weight, required support length, attachment arrangement and operating environment.

Hose Restraint Stockings

Cable stocking construction can also be used to provide restraint for suitable industrial hoses.

Hose restraint stockings are designed to help restrain hose movement in the event of hose or coupling failure, reducing the potential for uncontrolled movement of the hose.

LB Wire Ropes manufactures Expanda hose restraint stockings in configurations and materials suited to a range of industrial hose applications.

Hose restraint selection should consider the hose diameter, application, operating conditions and required restraint arrangement.

Explore Hose Restraint Stockings ›

Standard & Heavy-Duty Cable Stockings

Expanda Cable Stockings are available in both standard and heavy-duty constructions.

Standard Cable Stockings

Standard cable stockings provide a versatile solution for many cable pulling and support applications and are available in a range of diameters and configurations.

Explore Standard Cable Stockings ›

Heavy-Duty Cable Stockings

Heavy-duty cable stockings are designed for applications requiring a heavier construction or greater capacity than the corresponding standard stocking.

The appropriate stocking should be selected according to the cable or hose diameter, required capacity and intended application.

Explore Heavy-Duty Cable Stockings ›

Galvanised Wire Cable Stockings

Galvanised wire is widely used for cable stockings and provides a durable construction suitable for many cable pulling, support and industrial applications.

LB Wire Ropes manufactures galvanised Expanda Cable Stockings in a wide range of sizes and configurations.

Stainless Steel Cable Stockings

Stainless steel cable stockings provide an alternative for applications where greater corrosion resistance is required.

They can be suitable for marine, wastewater, processing and other environments where exposure to moisture or corrosive conditions needs to be considered.

The suitability of stainless steel should be determined according to both the operating environment and the mechanical requirements of the application.

Non-Conductive Cable Stockings

Non-conductive cable stockings are manufactured from suitable synthetic materials rather than metallic wire.

Expanda non-conductive stockings are available in nylon constructions for applications where a metallic stocking is undesirable.

The appropriate stocking should still be selected according to the cable diameter, application and required capacity.

Explore Non-Conductive Cable Stockings ›

Single Eye, Double Eye & Lace-Up Cable Stockings

Cable stockings are available in different configurations according to how the stocking needs to be fitted and loaded.

Single Eye Cable Stockings

Single eye stockings provide an attachment eye at one end of the stocking and are commonly used for pulling applications where the stocking can be installed over the end of the cable or hose.

Double Eye Cable Stockings

Double eye stockings incorporate attachment eyes arranged to provide an alternative pulling or supporting configuration.

The appropriate design depends on the intended application and method of attachment.

Lace-Up Cable Stockings

Lace-up stockings can be fitted around a cable or hose where access to the end is not practical.

This can make them useful for support, restraint and other applications where a conventional stocking cannot simply be slipped over the end of the item.

Custom & Made-to-Measure Cable Stockings

Not every cable, hose or application can be accommodated by a standard cable stocking.

LB Wire Ropes manufactures custom and made-to-measure Expanda Cable Stockings for specialised applications.

Depending on the requirement, customisation may include:

• Stocking diameter
• Stocking length
• Mesh construction
• Material
• Eye configuration
• Attachment arrangement
• Special shapes or dimensions
• Other application-specific requirements

Our team can work from the cable or hose dimensions and application requirements to determine whether a standard product is suitable or a custom stocking is required.

Explore Custom & Made-to-Measure Cable Stockings ›

Selecting the Correct Cable Stocking

Cable stockings should be selected for the particular item and application rather than by diameter alone.

Factors that may need to be considered include:

• Cable or hose outside diameter
• Diameter variation
• Cable, hose or pipe construction
• Pulling, supporting or restraint application
• Required capacity
• Stocking length
• Eye configuration
• Material
• Operating environment
• Corrosion exposure
• Whether the end of the cable or hose is accessible
• Required attachment arrangement

Where the correct stocking is not immediately apparent, LB Wire Ropes can assist with product selection or manufacture a custom solution.

Capacity & Safety

The capacity of a cable stocking depends on its construction, material, size and intended application.

The applicable capacity of the particular stocking should be confirmed before use, and the stocking should be used within its specified limitations.

Expanda Cable Stockings are designed with a minimum 5:1 safety factor between the nominated capacity and minimum breaking load.

Cable stockings should also be inspected before use for damage, broken wires, excessive wear, corrosion, damaged eyes or other deterioration that could affect their performance.

Why Choose Expanda Cable Stockings?

Expanda Cable Stockings have been manufactured in Australia by LB Wire Ropes since 1976.

Our cable stocking capabilities include:

• Australian manufacturing
• More than 50 years of Expanda manufacturing experience
• Standard cable stockings
• Heavy-duty cable stockings
• Cable pulling stockings
• Cable support stockings
• Hose restraint stockings
• Galvanised wire constructions
• Stainless steel constructions
• Non-conductive nylon constructions
• Single and double eye configurations
• Lace-up designs
• Custom and made-to-measure manufacture
• Technical product selection assistance
• Australia-wide supply

Our local manufacturing capability allows LB Wire Ropes to support both standard requirements and specialised applications where an off-the-shelf cable stocking may not be suitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cable stocking?

A cable stocking is a flexible mesh device designed to grip the outside of a cable, hose, pipe or similar cylindrical item.

As load is applied, the mesh tightens around the item, allowing it to be pulled, supported or restrained depending on the design of the stocking.

What are cable stockings used for?

Cable stockings can be used for applications including cable pulling, cable installation, supporting suspended cables and restraining industrial hoses.

Different stocking designs are used according to the application.

Are Expanda Cable Stockings made in Australia?

Yes. Expanda Cable Stockings® have been manufactured in Australia by LB Wire Ropes since 1976.

LB Wire Ropes manufactures both standard and custom Expanda Cable Stockings from our Western Sydney facility.

What materials are cable stockings available in?

Expanda Cable Stockings are available in galvanised wire, stainless steel wire and non-conductive nylon constructions.

The appropriate material depends on the application, operating environment and required performance.

How do I select the correct size cable stocking?

The outside diameter of the cable or hose is an important starting point, but selection should also consider the intended application, required capacity, stocking configuration, material and operating environment.

Where the diameter varies along the item, this should also be considered when selecting the stocking.

What is the difference between a standard and heavy-duty cable stocking?

Heavy-duty cable stockings use a heavier construction for applications requiring greater capacity or more demanding service than the corresponding standard design.

The correct product should be selected according to the application and required capacity rather than assuming heavy duty is necessary in every situation.

What is a lace-up cable stocking?

A lace-up cable stocking is designed so that it can be installed around a cable or hose without needing access to its end.

This can be useful where the cable or hose is already installed or where fittings prevent a conventional stocking from being slipped over the end.

Can cable stockings be custom made?

Yes. LB Wire Ropes manufactures custom and made-to-measure Expanda Cable Stockings for applications that cannot be adequately accommodated by a standard product.

Providing the dimensions of the cable, hose or item together with details of the application allows our team to assess the requirement.

Can cable stockings be used as hose restraints?

Purpose-designed cable stocking constructions can be used as hose restraints for suitable applications.

LB Wire Ropes manufactures Expanda hose restraint stockings designed specifically for restraining industrial hoses.

What safety factor is used for Expanda Cable Stockings?

Expanda Cable Stockings are designed with a minimum 5:1 safety factor between the nominated capacity and minimum breaking load.

The correct stocking should still be selected for the particular application and used within its specified limitations.

Talk to Our Cable Stocking Specialists

Need a cable stocking for cable pulling, support, hose restraint or a specialised application?

Contact LB Wire Ropes with the cable or hose diameter, application and required capacity. Our technical team can assist with selecting a standard Expanda Cable Stocking or determining whether a custom-made solution is required. ›