What happens to the tension of a control cable if the temperature drops significantly after it was tensioned?

When the temperature drops significantly after a control cable has been tensioned, the tension in the cable decreases. This phenomenon is largely due to the physical properties of materials, particularly how they respond to temperature changes.

As the temperature decreases, the material of the cable contracts. This contraction leads to a reduction in the overall tension because the cable tends to become shorter as it cools. Consequently, the fibers within the cable cannot maintain the initial tension that was applied when it was warm.

In practical applications, this decrease in tension can impact the performance of the control system. For example, in aviation, if a control cable becomes too loose, it may not operate the control surfaces effectively, leading to potential safety issues. Understanding the relationship between temperature and cable tension is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reliability of systems that rely on cable mechanics.