At what speed should the counterweight safeties be set to trip?

Setting the counterweight safeties to trip at a speed up to 10% higher than the car governor speed ensures a safety margin that accounts for potential variations in operation. The car governor is a critical component that monitors the speed of the elevator car and is designed to trip and engage safety systems if the car exceeds a predetermined speed. By adjusting the counterweight safeties to trip at a slightly higher speed, it acts as an additional safeguard ensuring that in situations of excessive speed, the counterweight system can effectively intervene before reaching critical limits.

The rationale behind this setting is to address potential scenarios where the car might experience variations due to uneven loading, wear, and other mechanical factors. If the counterweight safeties are set too close to the car governor speed, there may be a risk of not reacting swiftly enough in case of a malfunction. Therefore, the additional buffer of up to 10% enhances the overall safety features of the elevator system, ensuring better operational reliability and protection for both passengers and equipment.