What is the condemning limit for a coupler draft key?

The condemning limit for a coupler draft key is established to ensure the safety and integrity of rail car connections. A draft key that exceeds a specific amount of wear or deformation can compromise the coupling mechanism, leading to potential operational hazards.

In this case, a wear limit of 5/16" or more is recognized as critical because wear beyond this threshold can impair the coupler's ability to function correctly, increasing the risk of separation between cars during transit. This limit is set based on industry standards which take into account the mechanical forces that couplers are subjected to during operations.

By defining the condemning limit at 5/16", rail systems can effectively monitor and manage coupler conditions to maintain safe operations, ensuring that any draft key that has worn beyond this point is replaced before it leads to malfunctions or accidents on the railway.