Elevator Mechanic Practice Exam

When installing a 3,000 lb capacity elevator car, the brake system is designed not just to stop the car effectively but also to hold it securely when it is at rest. The braking system needs to be capable of handling a certain safety factor beyond the car's capacity. Typically, elevator codes and standards require that the brake can hold at least 125% of the rated load capacity. In this case, calculating the load that the brake needs to stop and hold involves multiplying the rated capacity (3,000 lbs) by this safety factor. 125% of 3,000 lbs is 3,750 lbs. This ensures that the braking system can handle unexpected loads or conditions that may arise during operation, providing an additional margin of safety for passengers and equipment. Therefore, the correct answer points to a braking capacity of 3,750 lbs, which aligns with standard safety practices in the elevator industry.