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'Temperamental' Big Ben ringing up to six seconds early 'Temperamental' Big Ben was ringing up to six seconds late
(about 7 hours later)
The bongs of Big Ben have been ringing early for the past fortnight, parliament's clocksmiths have admitted. The bongs of Big Ben have been ringing at the wrong time over the past fortnight, parliament's clocksmiths have admitted.
Parliament's Great Clock has been out by up to six seconds because it has become "temperamental", according to clocksmith Ian Westworth. The 156-year-old Great Clock went out by up to six seconds because it is "temperamental", according to clocksmith Ian Westworth.
The error with the 156-year-old clock has developed after a problem with it went unnoticed over a weekend. Mechanics discovered it became delayed over the weekend of 15 and 16 August but have now gradually fixed it.
Mr Westworth said the clock's three dedicated clocksmiths are working to get the clock back to the right time. A parliament spokesperson said it is now accurate to less than one second.
'A little fit' It is not known what caused the clock's time to change so much.
The speed of the clock is controlled by adding and removing weights to a pendulum. 'It does have a little fit'
Mr Westworth said coins had been gradually removed from the system to correct the time, although this had initially led to the clock running too slowly. The Great Clock is considered to be within its "normal parameters" if it strikes within two seconds of the correct time.
He said the clocksmiths did not know why the problem had occurred but being a 156-year-old clock, "it does have a little fit every now and then". Mr Westworth said the fault had been detected on 17 August and adjustments were made to the system, although this caused the clock to run too fast at times.
The incorrect chimes had caused interruptions to BBC Radio 4, which broadcasts the sound of Big Ben live.
The clock is altered by adding and removing old coins from its pendulum to change the rate that it swings.
The clocksmith said the age of the clock means that "it does have a little fit every now and then".
"Imagine running your car for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the last 156 years," he added."Imagine running your car for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for the last 156 years," he added.
The early chimes have caused interruptions to BBC Radio 4, which broadcasts the sound of Big Ben live. Routine checks on the clock's performance are being made every day, rather than three times a week, to keep it accurate.
Mechanics are investigating whether the fault was caused by changes to the pendulum.
A parliament spokesperson said air pressure and temperature, the escapement mechanism and problems with the gears could all affect the clock's mechanism.