Chain Dind

Chain dimensions, and therefore the gypsies that will accept them, vary considerably according to whether they are made to imperial or metric standards and even between manufacturers. European made chain is to DIN 766 and/or ISO4565 and most European gypsies will accept it. There is a strange anomaly that has caught out many owners. The dimensions of the two standards are identical for all chain sizes except 10 mm, in which the link length is 2 mm different. The gypsy should be marked in some way to identify to which standard it conforms.

Suppliers normally proof test chain to between 40% and 50% of the rated Minimum Break Load (MBL), whereas the quoted Safe Working Load (SWL) is 25% of the MBL.

Note that many other standards exist for short link non-marine chain whose dimensions are different. Chain to these standards will not fit any gypsies.

American chain is made mainly to ISO G30 and G43 standards with longer links that may not fit European gypsies. Note that the dimensions of these two grades are not the same. G43 (Grade 40) is more widely used for anchor rodes in USA.