Rope Access handled ascender, incorporating X-Cam.
Right-handed, handled ascender rope access device.
When tested on new Tectra 11 mm low stretch rope, these handled ascenders were found to be 25% stronger than their most popular sharp toothed competitor, with average breaking loads up to 675 kg for X-cams versus 535 kg for the established design.
However, the greatest increase in performance is exhibited if the ascender continues to be loaded after the sheath of the rope has ruptured.
In this situation, X-Cams will hold up to 200 kg on the broken sheath and rope cores. Established toothed designs supported only around 30 kg in heightec tests – nowhere near enough to support a person.