Final answer:
The U-bolts type wire rope clips should have the U portion on the dead end of the wire rope to ensure maximum strength and to prevent slippage. The saddle should be placed on the live end, following the mnemonic 'never saddle a dead horse'.
Step-by-step explanation:
When installing U-bolts type wire rope clips, it's essential to ensure that the U portion, or the saddle, of the clip is applied to the live end of the wire rope, and the U-bolt should be attached to the dead end. Therefore, the U portion of the clip should be on the dead end of the wire rope. The reason for this configuration is that it serves to maximize the strength of the connection by minimizing the chance of slippage and ensuring that the wire rope bears directly against the saddle.
The saddle of the clip should always fit against the longer part of the rope, often referred to as the 'live end,' whereas the 'U' shaped bolt should fit over the shorter part of the rope, known as the 'dead end' or 'tail.' Placing the U-bolt on the dead end ensures that if the rope were to slip, it would tighten against the saddle rather than the U-bolt, thus preventing damage to the rope's integrity. Remember to never saddle a dead horse, which is a common phrase used to remember this principle.