Hey everyone! I had some contractors come by to remove some old electrical poles from my property, and I asked them to leave behind the pole and wire for future projects. My question is, if I set up the anchors and wire correctly, could I use this wire as a zip line for my kids? I'm aware there are various safety concerns like anchoring and the drop, but I'm specifically curious about whether this wire can handle the weight and tension needed for a zip line.
3 Answers
If the wire is the electrical conductor, it's likely ACSR (aluminum conductor, steel reinforced). It does have some strength due to the steel core, but I wouldn't risk it for anything other than lighter kids. If it's the old #6 hard-drawn copper, then definitely avoid using that for a zip line. If it's proper static guy wire made of steel, then you may be able to use that.
It really comes down to how much you value your kids' safety! But in general, I recommend sticking with materials specifically designed for zip lines instead of repurposing electrical wire.
Honestly, I wouldn't trust electrical wire for this. It's not designed to handle that kind of stress. You should get some heavy-duty steel cable instead, and make sure you have the right pulleys that fit it.