Wire rope sockets are one of several methods of wire rope terminations (the others being: wire rope clamps, bull dog grips, swaging and splicing). Sockets are used to attach steel wire rope to a fixed point to which other pieces of equipment may be attached. Thus, sockets can be used as an anchoring system for towing cables or for fastening cables in the construction of bridges, roofs, etc. Sockets are the strongest of all the steel wire rope termination methods, and if they are assembled in the prescribed manner, they meet, at least, the breaking strength of the steel wire rope.

The three main wire rope termination sockets in the industry are: 1) Wedge Sockets; 1) Spelter Sockets; 3) Swaged Sockets. The latter two types have open and closed subtypes.