Final answer:
Fairleads should never deflect the alignment of a cable more than 12 degrees. Deflecting the cable beyond this angle can cause stress and strain on the cable, potentially leading to damage or failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is A. 12 degrees. Fairleads should never deflect the alignment of a cable more than 12 degrees. Deflecting the cable beyond this angle can cause stress and strain on the cable, potentially leading to damage or failure.
For example, imagine a cable being pulled through a fairlead at an angle of 20 degrees. As the cable is pulled, it will experience a bending force, and the greater the angle, the greater the force. This force can weaken the cable over time and increase the risk of it breaking.
Therefore, it is important to ensure that fairleads are properly aligned to minimize cable deflection and maintain the integrity of the cable.