Torsion spring comparison

[P180]

Are there garage doors torsion springs with identical lifting force as wire size 207 id 2" length 32"?

Or, basically, can a different wire size and length, but with the same ID provide the identical lifting force? Is there a chart that provides this information?

 

[jstroede]

Torsion springs have a rating of IPPT, or Inch Pounds Per Turn. That spring has a rating of 16.4. Any other spring having an equivalent IPPT rating will have the same lifting force, given the same number of turns.

.192-2-22.5
.218-2-41.5
.225-2-48

All of those springs have roughly the same IPPT. For those springs with larger wire sizes, they will have a longer cycle life with the same turns. Smaller springs will have shorter cycle life.

What is the application of this spring? That is a very odd spring.

John

 

[P180]

First, thank you for your reply. It answers my question directly and is very much appreciated.

The application of the "very odd spring" is as follows:

After recently having a spring break on one of my garage doors, and doing a bit of research online, I came to realize that the single spring that I have on each door isn't the best option.

I then contacted one of the online suppliers to find out what size springs I should use to replace the single spring that I have on each door with a pair of springs.

Incidentally, even though the two doors are identical, the springs are not. The spring on one door is WS225 X ID2" X L24" while the other is WS234 X ID2" X L29". I was informed however, that the two different springs have identical lifting force. They suggested that those springs be replaced with two springs on each door size WS207 X ID2" X L32".

I did find it somewhat difficult to find those springs and also found that they appear to be a bit more costly. This is why I thought to look for an alternative with the same lifting force.

 

[jstroede]

Single springs are used on smaller doors all the time. Why do you think that it is not a good option? If you are concerned about cycle life, go with the .234-2-29. That is about a 25k cycle spring on a 7' high door. The .225-2-24 is about 15k cycles.

The reason they are hard to find is that they are a custom size. Custom sized springs are done all the time, but I wouldn't like a spring that long with that small of spring wire either.

 

[RoninB4]

There is a chart on some websites that allow you to calculate and select the appropriate spring or do an upgrade. You'll need:
1) Weight of door
2) ID of spring
3) Length of spring
4) Wire diameter/thickness

It should tell you how many cycles of open/close the spring will expect to reach at fatigue point. It's not that difficult to find a chart, I'd never done it before either. There is some danger in replacing the springs so do research this. I changed my own and followed the safety procedures with no problem.

 

[P180]

Torsion springs have a rating of IPPT, or Inch Pounds Per Turn. That spring has a rating of 16.4. Any other spring having an equivalent IPPT rating will have the same lifting force, given the same number of turns.

.192-2-22.5
.218-2-41.5
.225-2-48

All of those springs have roughly the same IPPT. For those springs with larger wire sizes, they will have a longer cycle life with the same turns. Smaller springs will have shorter cycle life.

What is the application of this spring? That is a very odd spring.

John

Thanks for that info John. Gotta ask... Are those suggestions assuming the use of one or two springs on each door?

 

[jstroede]

Those are two springs per door, but I frankly wouldn't use any of them. .234-2-29 would be my choice.