The term describing the angle for rope alignment from the drum to the sheave is known as what?

• A. Phase angle
• B. Fleet angle
• C. Pitch angle
• D. Butt angle

Answer: (B)

The term for the angle of rope alignment from the drum to the sheave is fleet angle. This describes how far the rope’s path diverges as it leaves the drum and heads toward the sheave. Keeping the fleet angle small reduces wear on the rope and uneven loading on the drum and sheave, promoting longer rope life and smoother operation. If the fleet angle is large, the rope can rub against the drum edge or the sheave groove, causing faster wear and potential spooling problems. The other terms don’t apply here—phase angle is an electrical term, pitch angle relates to screw threads or blade angles, and butt angle isn’t used in this context.