OTT Cable Way Systems
Stationary systems for vertical based discharge measurements
- Fixed installation
- Maintenance-free cable way system for span lengths of up to 160 m. All components are maintenance free. Oil-free gas pressure spring tensioner for span lengths of above 20 m. Electrical or optionally mechanical double-drum winch.
- Vertical method based discharge measurements
- Rivers and canals
Cable way system
- Galvanised, compacted, steel-reinforced track cable; pre-stretched, resulting in minimum residual elongation; round smooth surface for silent and low-wear idler pulley operation
- Corrosion-protected, extremely strong towing cable made of galvanised wires – designed for at least 10 years of operation
- Single-arm trolley with only one idler pulley – consistent long-term operating performance
- Gas pressure spring tensioner (for span lengths > 20 m) – compensates for temperature effects and eliminates manually re-tensioning or releasing the cable tension; free of oil and environmentally compatible – no oil will get into the water
- Corrosion-resistant, slim, and sturdy pulley block made of cast aluminium – no risk of cracking because of welded seams.
Double-drum Winch
- Designed according to the LAWA* recommendations for the safety of cable way systems and type-tested
*German working group on water issues - Mechanical or electrical drive – mechanically operated winches may be retrofitted to the electrical drive
- Ergonomically designed and easily operated safety crank including load-actuated brake – the load is safely held when a mechanical drive is used
- Lifetime lubricated gearbox – eliminates lubricating and/or changing the oil
- Smoothly operating brake/clutch combination – facilitates low-noise changes between lowering/raising operations and horizontal travel
- Electronic meter for depth and distance – allows the instrument to be exactly placed at the desired measuring location
- Increased safety provided by overload clutch – the current meter cable is unwound in case of excessive load, e.g. when the instrument got caught.
Electrical Double-drum Winch
- Maintenance-free direct drive of the towing cable
- Three-phase motor with state-of-the-art inverter technology – energy efficient, optimum start-up and speed performance
- May be switched to safety crank operation – therefore operational even without power
- Uninterruptible power supply (optional) – active measurements may be completed in case of power failure
- Automatic stop when an end position is reached or the ground is hit – simplifies instrument control.
Controller for Electrical Double-drum Winches
- Large display, portable wired unit that is used to intuitively control the electrical double-drum winch by means of a joystick
- Includes a potentiometer for infinitely setting the velocity
- Fully automated low-noise shifting operation of the clutch
- Emergency Stop switch to ensure safe working in critical conditions
- Internal measuring features for time/pulse and integrated measurements
- Easy parameterisation of external signal counter sets via menu feature (e.g. OTT Z400)
- Optical and audio alerts in case of ground contact; Diagnostic features and alarm information.

Typically, OTT cable way systems are installed by the OTT HydroService department. Our specialists are well-trained for this job and use the appropriate equipment. Thus they are able to ensure careful and safe installation.
All components of the OTT cable way systems are maintenance-free.
However, regular inspections by authorised experts are mandatory in many countries in case of cable way systems for hydrological service. OTT HydroService performs these inspections in a reliable manner and does any service, replacement, or adjustment operations efficiently and professionally.
Application | Cable way systems for for vertical method based discharge measurements in rivers and canals |
Cable way system | |
Span length including turnbuckle tensioner | up to 20 m |
Span length including gas pressure spring tensioner | up to 160 m |
Cable diameter | |
Track Cable | 16 mm |
Towing Cable | 6 mm |
Current Meter Cable | 3.5 mm |
Double-drum Winch | |
Installation | Right-hand side or left-hand side |
Cable exit | Horizontal or vertical |
Current meter cable drum | |
Rated tension force | 1250 N |
Maximum tension force | 3000 N ±20 % |
Tripping force of safety friction clutch | 3000 N ±20 % |
Maximum useable cable length | 164 m |
Maximum number of cable layers | 6 |
Minimum number of windings remaining | 3 (≙ 3.1 m) |
Torque required on crank | 11 N/m (for 100 kg of weight) |
Crank length | 0.3 m |
Mechanical Double-drum Winch | |
Distance/depth meter | |
Design | 5-digit LCD; incl. Reset keys |
Resolution: | 1 cm |
Back-up battery | 9 V Battery (alkaline type) |
Mechanical data | |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | |
incl. hand crank | approx. 570 x 770 x 670 mm |
without hand crank | approx. 450 x 750 x 560 mm |
Weight | approx. 100 kg (without current meter cable and hand crank) |
Environmental conditions | |
Operating temperature | -20 °C ... +60 °C |
Storage temperature | -40 °C ... +85 °C |
Air humidity | 0 % ... 95 % RH (non-condensing) |
Electrical Double-drum Winch | |
Electrical drive | |
Supply voltage | 230 V / 50 Hz |
Control voltage | 24 V DC |
Motor power | 1.5 kW |
Degree of protection | IP54 |
Sound pressure level | 70 dB (A) |
Mechanical data | |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | |
Electrical double-drum winch | approx. 570 x 900 x 670 mm (without hand-crank for emergency operation) |
Control cabinet | 600 x 600 x 250 mm |
Weight | |
Winch (incl. Motor) | approx. 135 kg (without current meter cable and hand crank) |
Motor | 35 kg |
Control cabinet | approx. 30 kg |
Operating unit (including chest strap) | |
Dimensions (W x H x D) | 280 x 200 x 130 mm (without joystick and chest strap) |
Display | 5 rows, monochrome, incl. function key assignments |
Operating controls | Joystick, Emergency Stop pushbutton, 10 function keys (may also be used as numerical keys), cursor keys, permanent function keys, additional potential meter for speed setting |
Acoustic alert | internal buzzer sounds in case of ground contact |
Environmental conditions | |
Operating temperature | |
Standard | 0 °C ... +50 °C |
With opt. Heater | -20 °C ... +50 °C |
Storage temperature | -20 °C ... +60 °C |
Air humidity | 0 % ... 95 % RH (non-condensing) |