What is the minimum running clearance allowed between a car and its counterweight?

The minimum running clearance allowed between a car and its counterweight is indeed 1 inch. This clearance is crucial for ensuring safe and efficient operation of the elevator system. The 1-inch clearance helps prevent contact between the car and counterweight, which could cause wear or damage to the components, leading to mechanical failure or unsafe conditions.

Elevators are designed to operate smoothly, and maintaining appropriate clearances is part of that safety protocol. A clearance of 1 inch strikes a balance between sufficient space to avoid contact during movements while still ensuring that the elevator operates efficiently. If the clearance were too large, it could indicate a design or operational inefficiency, and if it were smaller, it could pose safety hazards.

Other potential clearances, such as 2 inches, 3 inches, or 4 inches, are more than what is deemed necessary under normal operating conditions, which could compromise space efficiency and potentially lead to greater maintenance costs without providing additional safety benefits. Therefore, the established minimum clearance of 1 inch is both a safety requirement and a practical design consideration.