How close to fully closed must car door switches operate?

The correct answer regarding how close to fully closed car door switches must operate is 2 inches. This standard ensures that the elevator system can accurately detect whether the doors are closed enough to safely operate without risk of injury or malfunction.

The 2-inch requirement is a balance between safety and operational efficiency. If the car door switches are too sensitive and require a higher degree of closure, they could prevent the doors from operating properly if there are minor obstructions or if the doors are not perfectly aligned. Conversely, allowing for a wider margin, such as 3 or 4 inches, could create safety hazards where the doors might not be adequately shut, leading to potential accidents when the elevator is in use.

This standard helps to ensure that the system recognizes a sufficiently closed state, promoting both the safety of passengers and the reliability of the elevator operation.