Pfaff-Silberblau THETA Electric Wire Rope Winch

Model THETA | Capacity 100 kg | 230 V / 50 Hz Single-Phase Electric | 4 mm Rope × 10 m | 3 m/min Lifting Speed | Two Independently Acting Brakes | DGUV V54 (BGV D8) Certified for Static Suspension of Loads Above Persons | CE & UKCA Marked | Made in Germany

The Pfaff-Silberblau THETA is a compact, safety-focused electric wire rope winch with a rare certification: under DGUV V54 (formerly BGV D8) it holds a special release for the static suspension of loads above persons. A dual-redundant brake system — two independently acting brakes — provides the failsafe load-holding behind that certification, making the THETA the specified choice for stage and event rigging, sports facility apparatus, and material suspension over walkways. The 100 kg rated capacity, 230 V single-phase supply, 4 mm wire rope, 10 m rope capacity and 3 m/min lifting speed are backed by an expert test certificate.

Key Features

• Two independently acting brakes (dual-redundant brake system): Two brakes operating independently means a single brake failure does not cause load loss — the foundation of the THETA's above-persons certification. Independent dual-redundant braking is rare in this capacity class and is the specific feature that distinguishes the THETA from generic 100 kg electric winches.
• DGUV V54 (BGV D8) certified for static suspension of loads above persons: The THETA carries a special release under the German accident-prevention regulation for wire rope hoists, specifically allowing static suspension of loads above persons. Most electric winches are NOT certified for this duty. Each unit ships with an expert test certificate documenting compliance.
• 230 V / 50 Hz single-phase supply: Runs on standard UK / EU mains supply — no three-phase wiring required. Connection cable with plug supplied — no hardwiring or fixed installation work required for first deployment.
• Compact design: Small footprint suited to installations where larger electric winches will not fit. Ideal for retrofit upgrades and tight installations on stage rigs, sports facility apparatus mounts, and construction-site temporary structures.
• 100 kg working load: Matched to light material handling, equipment positioning, scenery suspension, sports apparatus lifting, and small-component installation work.
• 4 mm wire rope × 10 m capacity: Standard rope diameter and length ship with each unit, ready to use.
• Single-speed operation at 3 m/min: Consistent controlled lift speed across the rated capacity range.
• Ready for use with control / limit switch: Standard control supplied with the unit; limit-switch protection prevents over-travel at both ends of the lift.
• Test and maintenance friendly: Design accommodates the inspection and service regimes required for above-persons-certified equipment.
• Made in Germany / available from stock: Pfaff-Silberblau's Wuppertal manufacturing site; standard availability from UK / EU stock under typical lead times.

Technical Specifications

Motor power (kW), IP rating, mounting type, rope termination type, and FEM/ISO classification are not stated on the manufacturer's portal listing — confirm from the OEM datasheet (linked under Downloads) or contact WOLFF Onsite for site-specific specification.

More About This Product

The Pfaff-Silberblau THETA is the compact safety-focused electric wire rope winch that carries a rare certification: under DGUV V54 (formerly BGV D8) it holds a special release for the static suspension of loads above persons — a compliance level most electric winches cannot offer. This makes the THETA the specified choice for applications where a load must hang stationary above people for extended periods, including sports facility apparatus, stage and event rigging, construction-site material suspension over walkways, and building-technology installations where service loads sit above active work areas. The dual-redundant brake system — two independently acting brakes — provides the failsafe load-holding behaviour that underpins the above-persons certification. Each unit ships with an expert test certificate as part of the compliance documentation. The 100 kg rated capacity, 230 V / 50 Hz single-phase mains supply (with connection cable and plug), 4 mm wire rope, 10 m rope capacity, and 3 m/min lifting speed make the THETA compact, mains-installable, and immediately suited to individuals, craftsmen, local councils, and construction yards.

Suitable Applications

The Pfaff-Silberblau THETA is specified wherever a light electric winch must lift, lower, AND hold a load statically above people. The DGUV V54 special-release certification opens use cases that generic electric winches cannot serve: sports facility apparatus suspension (basketball backboards, gymnastics equipment, scoreboards, lighting rigs) where the equipment is held in position above active courts and floors; stage and event rigging where scenery, lighting, or AV equipment is suspended above performers and audiences; construction-site temporary material suspension over walkways and active work areas; building-technology installations including HVAC, lighting, signage, and service-equipment mounting in commercial spaces and council facilities; church and civic-building decoration and equipment positioning where the holding above congregation or visitors must be safely-rated; and small parts and tool hoisting in workshops where occasional positioning above the operator is unavoidable. For applications where the load does NOT need to be suspended above people, the standard manual winch ranges (MWS, SW-W Alpha, SW-K LB) at this capacity are alternative specifications without the certification overhead. For higher capacities with electric drive, see the Yale Mtrac range (66 kg – 1,000 kg double-fall electric) or the full Yale RPE / CPE / VTEU electric ranges.

How to Use the Pfaff-Silberblau THETA

1. Verify the mounting: Confirm the mounting bolts are torqued and the substrate supports the rated load plus appropriate safety factor. For above-persons applications, the mounting design must comply with the additional safety-factor requirements that apply to overhead-suspended loads.
2. Verify the electrical supply: Connect to 230 V / 50 Hz single-phase supply through an RCD-protected feed. The supplied plug-fitted connection cable plugs straight into a standard outlet — no hardwiring required.
3. Inspect the rope: Visually check the full 10 m working length for kinks, broken strands, or surface damage.
4. Test both brakes under no-load: The dual-redundant brake system relies on both brakes operating correctly. Test each brake's holding action with a light load before any above-persons use. If either brake shows back-drive under test load, take the unit out of service immediately — single-brake operation does NOT meet the DGUV V54 above-persons certification.
5. Verify the control / limit switches: Test the lift / lower controls and confirm the upper and lower limit switches trip cleanly to prevent over-travel.
6. Attach the load: Connect the rope end to the load via a rated hook, sling, or shackle.
7. Lift or lower: Press the lift or lower pendant button. Release to stop — both brakes engage automatically.
8. Static suspension above persons: For static-hold positions above people, additional procedures apply per the site's safe-system-of-work and the DGUV V54 expert test certificate guidance. Verify the certificate is current, the brakes have been tested within the last permitted interval, and a secondary safety device (back-up suspension or fall arrest) is present where the site risk assessment requires it.
9. Power off when unattended: Switch off at the supply when leaving the winch installed but unused.

Warning:
The THETA is a powered lifting device and must not be used to lift, lower, or transport personnel. The DGUV V54 special release covers static suspension of loads above persons — NOT personnel lifting. Never exceed the 100 kg rated capacity. The dual-brake system is the foundation of the above-persons certification — never operate the winch with either brake known or suspected to be faulty.

Safety Information

• Verify the mounting before each use — bolts torqued, substrate undamaged. For above-persons applications, the mounting design must satisfy the additional safety factors applicable to overhead suspended loads.
• Inspect the wire rope for the full working length each shift; remove from service at first sign of broken strands, kinks, or surface damage.
• Test both brakes' independent holding action before each above-persons use — single-brake operation does NOT meet the DGUV V54 above-persons certification.
• Never exceed the 100 kg rated capacity.
• Never use the winch to lift, lower, or transport personnel.
• For static suspension of loads above persons, follow the additional procedures per the DGUV V54 expert test certificate and the site's safe-system-of-work — a competent person must confirm compliance before each installation.
• Connect to an RCD-protected 230 V / 50 Hz single-phase supply.
• Power off the winch at the supply when leaving installed but unused.
• UK applications involving suspended loads above people may attract additional requirements under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and CDM 2015.
• Workplace operators must establish a Thorough Examination regime under LOLER 1998 / PUWER 1998 at intervals not exceeding 12 months.

Inspection and Maintenance

The THETA is built for steady light-duty operation with safety-critical inspection of the dual-brake system, the wire rope, the limit switches, and the electrical supply. Both brakes' independent holding action must be confirmed at the Thorough Examination — the DGUV V54 above-persons certification depends specifically on dual-redundant brake function. The "test and maintenance friendly" construction supports this regime, but the work must be carried out by a competent person familiar with the THETA mechanism. The rope is a wearing component and should be replaced when discard criteria are met under LOLER. The limit switches should be confirmed to trip cleanly at both ends of travel. The pendant cable and connector should be inspected for damage and water ingress. The expert test certificate accompanying each unit forms part of the safety case for above-persons use — maintain a current copy on site and re-validate at the inspection interval. WOLFF Onsite provides LOLER-certified Thorough Examination, dual-brake function testing, expert-certificate review, and full overhaul for the Pfaff-Silberblau THETA.

Related Products

• Yale Mtrac Endless Wire Rope Winch: Higher-capacity electric winches (66 kg – 1,000 kg double-fall) with endless rope mechanism — for general electric lifting applications where above-persons certification is not required.
• Pfaff-Silberblau OMEGA range: Heavy-duty 800 – 1,000 kg manual winches with optional external motor drive, available in Standard / ATEX / Offshore certified variants.
• Pfaff-Silberblau MWS Wall-Mounted Wire Rope Winch: Manual hand-cranked winch range covering 150 kg – 1,500 kg for applications where powered operation is not required.

Downloads

• Pfaff THETA Datasheet (EN, 2026) — full spec table including motor power, IP rating, and dimensional drawings (PDF)
• Pfaff THETA Operating Manual (DE / EN / FR) — trilingual installation, operation, inspection, and spare parts reference (PDF)
• Pfaff Wire Rope Winches Catalogue (EN, 2024) — full Pfaff winch range overview (PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions