What Makes Up the Inside of a Grandfather Clock?

Weights and Balances

• A standard grandfather clock is not powered by electric motors or gears, but rather a complicated set of weights, pulleys and balances that all act in concert to keep the clock running properly. These weights and balances interact with the pendulum to ensure the clock keeps the correct time.

The Pendulum

• The pendulum acts as a sort of "second counter" in a grandfather clock. The pendulum typically reaches the apex of a single swing once per second, the motion transferring along the system of pulleys and gears so that, after 60 swings, the gears move slightly, and the minute hand on the clock face goes forward one notch.

Chime System

• Most grandfather clocks have a chime system -- a collection of tuned chimes and automatic hammers -- that rings at set intervals, such as the top and bottom of every hour. These are typically engaged by the "time train," a set of gears that move according to the number of seconds counted off by the pendulum. The time train typically causes the chimes to ring every quarter hour as dictated by the pendulum.

Winding Mechanism and Barrels

• Grandfather clocks don't just start on their own and cannot run forever without some help. Winding barrels are connected to the winding mechanism that initially sets the clock in motion when wound by the owner. The winding barrels are responsible for transferring power to the rest of the clock's system to get everything working by both engaging the pulley system and starting the pendulum swinging.