How come sometimes escalator hand rails move faster then the steps?

Question

How come sometimes escalator hand rails move faster then the steps?

Answer 1

Probably because the handrails have to travel further than the stairs, being that they have a larger radius.  Therefore they cannot be running on the same gear as the stairs and will slightly lose sync.  

I have noticed it as well.   Just one of life's little anomalies ...

Answer 2

I've seen them move slower, not faster.

And that's a sign of a slipping clutch, and the escalator is usually broken next day.

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Answer 3

No they always move same with the escalator