[mvpel]

First, obviously, is to support the cable(s) during all anticipated g loading. It probably does not matter if the spacing is 1 inch, or 1.25, or 0.75... There is probably plenty of strength. Exactly 1 inch sounds like a nice round number for the convenience of the assembler and inspector, not an exact engineering requirement.

But engineering requirements don't matter if you're a power-mad bureaucrat trying to show the productive and profit-earning people, who for some unfathomable reason have to do what you say, who's boss.

[CodeMasterPhilzar]

But engineering requirements don't matter if you're a power-mad bureaucrat...

You're right. And that's just the kind of thing that drives someone like me bat-shit crazy. I have three degrees - Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, and an MBA plus over 20 years professional experience. I know, I know there's no reason for BS like this other than as you say, proving a (useless) point. Argh.