In order to fully understand the tension characteristics of steel wire ropes and improve the reliability and safety of the lifting system of Malan Mine, the tension characteristics of steel wire ropes under three faults of cans, over-rolling and wire rope slipping were studied by simulation method. The field test results of the wire rope tension characteristics showed that the simulation was in good agreement with the actual situation. The studying of the tension characteristics of the wire rope in the fault provided theoretical support for the production and maintenance of the wire rope, which was beneficial to improve the stability of the operation of the mine lifting system.