For many people, carbines are just carbines, but it's not that simple. Choosing the right carbine is crucial depending on the application and specific needs. There are different types of carbines, each with unique features and benefits to suit different situations.
Making the right choice carbine for the right job is crucial for safety. The best choice depends on a combination of factors, such as your specific needs, level of experience and budget. To make an informed choice, it is important to consider the three main aspects that influence the performance and suitability of the carabiner: material, locking system and shape.
The holding property for a aluminium carbine is about 22 kN (2200 kg), while a steel carbine can hold about 30 kN (3000 kg). Steel carbine is more durable as it can withstand dirt and harsh conditions better, but it also weighs more than an aluminium carbine.
A carbine with screw locking requires manual screwing to open and lock. This can be handy if you need to handle the carbine with one hand or build a system. However, the downside is that inexperienced users often forget to lock it, which can pose significant risks.
A carbine with trilock or twistlock instead requires several steps to open. A trilock requires three steps - push, twist, open - while a twistlock only requires two steps - twist and open. This can be a bit of a hassle for many people at first, but these carabiners are a safer option as they close and lock fully automatically and you don't have to worry about locking it manually.
Carbines come in a variety of forms designed for different purposes. Among others, there are oval, D-shaped and HSE.
In HMS carbine are designed with a larger opening at one end, allowing more ropes or carbines to be attached. The downside is that they don't always fit all equipment, as they can be too tight. HMS carabiners can be used in system builds and are the most common carabiner overall.
In oval carbine is, as its name suggests, oval. It offers a little less space but is a very good all-round carbine that is suitable for all equipment. D-carbines and triangular carbine is better at withstanding triangular loads, but is sometimes also used as an A-point in harnesses.
In addition to those mentioned, there are also a bunch of specialised carbines. To name a few, there are square carbines, specially designed for harnesses, carbines with inbuilt wheels and carbines with a so-called brake eye.
As a bonus, there are also hooks in different sizes and designs. The most common is the scaffold hook, but there are also carabiners in both smaller and larger sizes. These can be attached with quick links if the hook does not have the function to open up in the smaller loop.
Quick links are also available in different sizes and designs and can be used for most purposes. They are used to attach fixed objects, but should not be used as a replacement for a standard carabiner or hook.
Here are some examples of authorised karabiners. You can use these carbines for fall protection and rope techniques.
Aluminium, oval and trilock.
Aluminium, HMS and trilock.
Aluminium, oval and trilock.
These carbines are not authorised for use in fall protection and rope access. Carbines classified under the Machinery Directive are not authorised for personal protection.
Classified within the Machinery Directive and may not be used as fall protection regardless of how much weight they can support.
Classified within the Machinery Directive and may not be used as fall protection regardless of how much weight they can support.
Has no locking mechanism and is therefore not approved for fall protection, but can be used for e.g. securing tools.
Carabiners without locks are not approved for fall protection, but can be used to secure tools etc. Remember to check the strength of the carabiner carefully. Carabiners sold as key rings have very low strength and are not designed for heavy loads. It is therefore important to know the weight of your tools and other equipment in order to choose a carabiner with sufficient strength and safety margin.
If used incorrectly, carbines can wear out and become dangerous. The picture shows an example of a damaged carbine that has been exposed to dirty ropes and high friction. The damage occurred quickly and the carbine had to be replaced after the first day of work. In this case, a steel carbine would have been used.
Like all fall protection equipment, karabiners should be inspected at least every 12 months. During an inspection, the carabiner is checked to ensure that it has no visible damage. In addition, we ensure that the gate and locking mechanism are working properly, and that it is straight and clean.
If the carver is often used for heavy or dirty jobs, we recommend that the inspection is done more often than once a year. This is for the user's own safety and to ensure that the carbine is still fit for purpose. A carbine must have an ID or batch number, year of manufacture and the manufacturer's name engraved to be approved.
If you have any further questions or are unsure which carbine you need, please contact us. For those who need help on the way, we offer personalised counselling to guide you through your buying process and make sure you are prepared to work safely and efficiently.
