What is the proper deflection of a spring?
Deflection refers to the distance a compression spring is compressed, the distance an extension spring is extended, and the distance a torsion spring is rotated. Every spring is designed with a certain amount of safe deflection. If a compression spring is compressed more than its safe deflection it will begin to take a set, and not come back to its original height. If an extension spring is extended beyond its safe deflection the spring will begin to increase in length as it is returned to its original position. The same is the case with a torsion spring, if it is wound beyond its safe deflection it will take a set and not unwind to its original starting position.
