What Does The Kn Number Mean On A Carabiner?

Importance?

What Is The Maximum Constant Weight Compactly?

What Are The Strength Ratings?

The 'kN' Behind The Number Stamped On A Carabiner, Or Other Climbing And Rigging Equipment, Designates A Unit Of Measure Called The "Kilonewton".

A Kilonewton Is A Measured Unit Of 'Force'.  A Rated Carabiner Will Have A Force Rating Stamped Into Its Material, Indicating How Much Force It Can Withstand In A New Unaltered State!

"Unaltered State", Means, No Heat, Chemical, Or Physical Damage Of Any Kind To The Rated Piece.

Importance?

This Is Life-Support Equipment!  Life Support Equipment Must Have A Tested Proven And Known Level Of Strength To Remove As Much Unknown Variables As Possible To Increase The Chance For Safe Use.  Equipment Must Be Strong Enough To Withstand The Force Of A Human Falling.  In Lifting And Rigging Applications, Where Humans Are Near, Rigging Equipment Must Have A Rating To Handle The Forces Evolved.

Example ----- An Average-Size Adult Male Falls 60 Feet, The Peak Force On A Carabiner At An Anchor Point On The Rock Stopping The Fall, Is Going To Be Approximately 9.1 kN.

What Is The Maximum Constant Weight Compactly?

Climbing Carabiners Are Not Rated For A Maximum Working Load.  The Climbing Carabiner Is Designed As A Device For Withstanding A Brief Moment Of Force; Not To Lift Weight!

Do Not Use Anything But A "Load" Rated Piece Of Equipment For Lifting Humans And Objects.

Unit Conversion ---- In An Emergency Situation..... A 'Weight Equivalent' Of The kN Rating Can Be Determined.

Example:   1 kN = 225lbs. 25kN x 225 lbs = 5,625 lbs This Indicates An Equivalent Impact Weight Of The Force; This Does Not Indicate A Lifting Weight.  The Carabiner Is A Force Taking Device; Design To Withstand One Initial Force At Its Rating.  By Lifting This Constant Weight, The Carabiner Becomes Compromised; Permanently Damaged!  After Falls, Retire The Equipment used!  If Not, It Could Cost Yours, Someone's, Or Both Lives!

 

What Are The Strength Ratings For A Carabiner?

	Closed Gate
	Open Gate
	Minor Axls

Quality Carabiner Manufacturers Should Test And Rate Each Piece Of Equipment Released For Use.  The Industry Has Adopted Three Standards For Strength Measurement; All Given In Kilonewtons (kN).  The Three Are: 1) 'Closed Gate' (CG), 2) 'Open Gate' (OG), And 3) 'Minor Axis' (MA).

The Closed Gate Rating Is Stamped Directly Into Each Piece of Equipment Meant For Human Rigging Applications.  Do Not Use Equipment Without A Clear Stamp And That Was Obtained From An Established Trusted Source, And For Which Each Specific Piece Has A Record of Service Log!  Its Your Life And The Life Of Others At Risk!

	Closed Gate | CG The 'Closed Gate' Strength Is The Rated-Force Capacity Of A New Biner Can Endure When Its Gate Is Properly Set In The Intended Closed Position.
	Open Gate | OG The 'Open Gate' Strength Is The Reduced Rated-Force Capacity Of A Carabiner When Its Gate Is Not Properly Set In The Intended Closed Position.  A Real Possibility With Potentially Fatal Results, That Must Be Planned To Happen; Considered Serious!
	Minor Axls | MA The 'Minor Axis' Strength Is The Rated-Force Capacity Of A Carabiner When Force Is Applied Between Its Gate And Spine.  A Real Possibility With Potentially Fatal Results, That Must Be Planned To Happen; Considered Serious!

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