Different Types of Elevators

1. Passenger Elevators: Designed for transporting people between

floors in buildings.

2. Service Elevators: Used for transporting goods and employees, often

found in hotels and hospitals.

3. Freight Elevators: Built to carry heavy loads, such as cargo in

industrial buildings.

4. Dumbwaiters: Small elevators used for transporting food or small

items, commonly found in restaurants12.

Different Types of Escalator Layouts

1. Parallel Escalators: Escalators that run side by side in the same

direction.

2. Multiple Parallel Escalators: Several escalators running parallel to

each other, often in opposite directions.

3. Crisscross Escalators: Escalators that intersect each other, saving

space and providing efficient movement34.

Parts of an Elevator (Two Types) and Their Functions

1. Traction Elevators:

o Hoistway: The vertical shaft that houses the elevator car and
counterweight.

o Elevator Car: The cabin where passengers ride.

o Counterweight: Balances the weight of the elevator car.

o Guide Rails: Ensure smooth movement of the car.

o Hoisting Cables: Lift and lower the car.

o Pulley System: Facilitates the movement of the car56.

2. Hydraulic Elevators:

o Hydraulic Ram: Pushes the elevator car up from below.

o Pump Unit: Supplies hydraulic fluid to the ram.

o Control System: Manages the movement of the elevator56.

Parts of an Escalator and Their Functions

1. Top and Bottom Landing Platforms: House the gears and motors
that move the steps.

2. Tracks: Guide the step chain and ensure smooth movement.

3. Steps: The moving parts that passengers stand on, usually made of
aluminum.

4. Handrails: Provide support and safety for passengers78.

Parts of Elevator and Its Function

In this article, we will tell you about the various parts of elevators and its
function.

Elevators have been around for many years.Let’s here take a closer look
at parts of elevators and its function.

Speed Governors

The speed regulating system of elevators is known as the speed

governor.If the elevator runs more than the speed limit, the speed
governor controls the speed. It is usually attached to the bottom of the
car and is also known as governor rope.

Electric Motor

In case the lift faces any serious condition, Electric Motors helps in
preventing it and provides a smooth functioning of lifts.

Elevator Rails

Sliding up and down in the elevators is possible with the proper

functioning of Elevator Rails.

Cabin

This is the main part of Elevator which is designed for the shipment of
goods and services or the passage of persons.

Elevator Shaft
Lift cabin moves in this space. Depending upon the type of elevator, the
location of the shaft can be varied.

Doors

As normal doors, elevator doors are also meant for entry and exit.
Elevator door is of two types: Manual doors and Automatic doors.

 Manual doors: These types of doors are opened with the help of a
person who wants to enter the lift.

 Automatic doors: Automatic doors are the type of doors which are
automatically opened as it is powered by a door operator.

Drive unit

Everything that works under electricity must have a motor attached for
the functioning. Drive unit is the part which contains a motor that drives
the lift.

Buffers

The buffer is an apparatus located at the bottom of elevator designed to

protect people. Buffers can stop a descending car by accumulating or
dissipating the kinetic energy of the car.

Safety device

This is a mechanical device attached to the elevator for safety reasons. In

case the lift travels downward with a maximum speed or over the speed
limit, safety device can maintain a safety and secure traveling.
Cabin/ Car

This is the main part of Elevator which is designed for enclosed

transport of passengers & goods

Cable (Rope)

it is used to support the car (passing over the drive sheave to the
counterweight) & pull the car. Usually number of lays depends on load
& speed.

Elevator Machine

A traction machine is used on all traction elevator equipment types.

A standard traction machine consists of a motor, drive sheave, brake
and machine bed plate. The traction machine motor turns the drive
sheave shaft to turn the drive sheave. As the sheave turns the hoist
ropes pass over the drive sheave and pull the car through the hoistway.

Controller

An Elevator controller is a system to control the elevators, either

manual or automatic.
The controller usually tune down the voltage between 12V to 24V to
the controlling system, only the motor needs 3-phase power supply.
The low voltage power supply is for the controlling component and the
fixtures to control the elevator

Drive unit

Everything that works under electricity must have a motor attached

for the functioning & driven by VVVF drives.

The counter weight

In practice, elevators work in a slightly different way from simple

hoists. The elevator car is balanced by a heavy counterweight that
weighs roughly the same amount as the car when it's loaded 40%-50%
(in other words, the weight of the car itself plus 40–50 percent of the
total weight it can carry). When the elevator goes up, the
counterweight goes down—and vice-versa, which helps us in four
ways:

 The counterweight makes it easier for the motor to raise and lower
the car—just as sitting on a see-saw makes it much easier to lift
someone's weight compared to lifting them in your arms. Thanks to
 the counterweight, the motor needs to use much less force to move
the car either up or down. Assuming the car and its contents weigh
more than the counterweight, all the motor has to lift is the
difference in weight between the two and supply a bit of extra force
to overcome friction in the pulleys and so on.

 Since less force is involved, there's less strain on the cables—which

makes the elevator a little bit safer.

 The counterweight reduces the amount of energy the motor needs

to use. This is intuitively obvious to anyone who's ever sat on a see-
saw: assuming the see-saw is properly balanced, you can bob up
and down any number of times without ever really getting tired—
quite different

from lifting someone in your arms, which tires you very quickly. This
point also follows from the first one: if the motor is using less force
to move the car the same distance, it's doing less work against the
force of gravity.

 The counterweight reduces the amount of braking the elevator

needs to use. Imagine if there were no counterweight: a heavily
loaded elevator car would be really hard to pull upwards but, on the
return journey, would tend to race to the ground all by itself if there
weren't some sort of sturdy brake to stop it. The counterweight
makes it much easier to control the elevator car.

Hoistway

The space enclosed by fireproof walls and elevator doors for the
travel of one or more elevators, dumbwaiters or material lifts. It
includes the pit and terminates at the underside of the overhead
machinery space floor or grating, or at the underside of the roof where
the hoistway does not penetrate the roof.

Guide Rails

Steel T-shaped or formed sections with guiding surfaces installed

vertically in a hoistway to guide and direct the course of travel of an
elevator car and elevator counterweights.

Buffers
 The buffer is an apparatus located at the bottom of elevator
designed to protect people. Buffers can stop a descending car by
accumulating or dissipating the kinetic energy of the car.

Speed governors

Most elevators have an entirely separate speed-regulating system

called a governor, which is a flywheel with mechanical arms built inside
it. Normally the arms are held inside the flywheel by springs, but if the
lift moves too fast, they fly outward, pushing a lever mechanism that
trips one or more braking systems. First, they might cut power to the
lift motor. If that fails and the lift continues to accelerate, the arms will
fly out even further and trip a second mechanism, applying the brakes.
Some governors are entirely mechanical; others are electromagnetic;
still others use a mixture of mechanical and electronic components.

The safety brake

Everyone who's ever travelled in an elevator has had the same

thought: what if the cable holding this thing suddenly snaps? Rest
assured, there's nothing to worry about. If the cable snaps, a variety of
safety systems prevent an elevator car from crashing to the floor.

Each car ran between two vertical guide rails with sturdy metal teeth
embedded all the way up them. At the top of each car, there was a
spring-loaded mechanism with hooks attached. If the cable broke, the
hooks sprung outward and jammed into the metal teeth in the guide
rails, locking the car safely in position.

Doors

As normal doors, elevator doors are also meant for entry and exit.
Elevator door is of two types: Manual doors and Automatic doors.

 Manual doors: These types of doors are opened with the help of
a person who wants to enter the lift.

 Automatic doors: Automatic doors are the type of doors which

are automatically opened as it is powered by a door operator and
usually have a full height photo-electric curtain to sense the
entry/exit of persons.
Hydraulic

 Car  Hoist way

 Power pack/ Piston  Rails

 Elevator Machine  Car Buffer

 Controls
Different Types of Elevators

1. Passenger Elevators:

o Function: Transport people between floors in buildings.

o Common Uses: Residential buildings, offices, hotels.

2. Service Elevators:

o Function: Transport goods and employees.

o Common Uses: Hotels, hospitals, commercial buildings.

3. Freight Elevators:

o Function: Carry heavy loads.

o Common Uses: Warehouses, factories, industrial buildings.

4. Dumbwaiters:

o Function: Transport small items like food.

o Common Uses: Restaurants, libraries, private homes.

Different Types of Escalator Layouts

1. Parallel Escalators:

o Description: Escalators running side by side in the same

direction.

o Common Uses: Shopping malls, airports.

2. Multiple Parallel Escalators:

o Description: Several escalators running parallel, often in

opposite directions.

o Common Uses: Large commercial spaces, transit hubs.

3. Crisscross Escalators:

o Description: Escalators that intersect each other, saving space.

o Common Uses: Multi-level retail stores, complex buildings.

Parts of an Elevator (Two Types) and Their Functions

Traction Elevators

 Hoistway: The vertical shaft that houses the elevator car and
counterweight.

 Elevator Car: The cabin where passengers ride.

 Counterweight: Balances the weight of the elevator car.

 Guide Rails: Ensure smooth movement of the car.

 Hoisting Cables: Lift and lower the car.

 Pulley System: Facilitates the movement of the car.

Hydraulic Elevators

 Hydraulic Ram: Pushes the elevator car up from below.

 Pump Unit: Supplies hydraulic fluid to the ram.

 Control System: Manages the movement of the elevator.

Parts of an Escalator and Their Functions

 Top and Bottom Landing Platforms: House the gears and motors
that move the steps.

 Tracks: Guide the step chain and ensure smooth movement.

 Steps: The moving parts that passengers stand on, usually made of
aluminum.

 Handrails: Provide support and safety for passengers.

An escalator is a moving staircase  They have no waiting interval
– a conveyor transport device for (except during very heavy
carrying people between floors of a traffic).
building.
 They can be used to guide
people toward main exits or
Escalators are powered by
special exhibits‫ز‬
constant-speed alternating current
motors and move at approximately  They may be weatherproofed
1–2 feet (0.30–0.61 m) per second. for outdoor use.
The maximum angle of inclination
 They can help in controlling
of an escalator to the horizontal
the traffic flow of people For
floor level is 30 degrees with a
example, an escalator to an
standard rise up to about 60 feet
exit effectively discourages
(18 m). Modern escalators have
most people from using it as
single piece aluminum or steel
an entrance, and may reduce
steps that move on a system of
security concerns.
tracks in a continuous loop.

Direction of movement (up or

Escalators have four typical
down) can be permanently the
configuration options:
same, or be controlled by
personnel according to the time of
1- Parallel
day, or automatically be controlled
by whoever arrives first, whether at
the bottom or at the top (the
system is programmed so that the
direction is not reversed while a
passenger is on the escalator).

The benefits of escalators are

many:

 They have the capacity to Parallel Escalators

move large numbers of
people.
Up and down escalators "side by
 They can be placed in the side or separated by a distance,"
same physical space as one seen often in metro stations and
might install a staircase. multilevel motion picture theaters)
2- Crisscross

Multiple parallel Escalators

(two or more escalators together

that travel in one direction next to
one or two escalators in the same
bank that travel in the other
direction).
Crisscross
Escalators 4- “Up” Escalator next to
Staircase
(Minimizes structural space
requirements by "stacking"
escalators that go in one direction,
frequently used in department
stores or shopping centers)

3- Multiple parallel
 “Up” Escalator next to
Staircase

It is preferred that staircases be

located adjacent to the escalator if
the escalator is the primary means
of transport between floors.

Escalators Basic Components

Escalators Basic Components

The Escalator consists of the following components:

1. Landing Platforms.

2. Truss.

3. Tracks.

4. Steps.

5. Handrail.

6. Escalator Exterior (Balustrade).

7. Drive system.

8. Auto-Lubrication System.

9. Braking system.

10. Safety devices.

11. Electrical & Control Systems.

First: Landing Platforms

` Landing Platforms

These two platforms house the curved sections of the tracks, as well as the
gears and motors that drive the stairs. The top platform contains the motor
assembly and the main drive gear, while the bottom holds the step return
idler sprockets. These sections also anchor the ends of the escalator truss.

In addition, the platforms contain a floor plate and a combplate. The floor
plate provides a place for the passengers to stand before they step onto the
moving stairs.
This plate is flush with the finished floor and is either hinged or removable to
allow easy access to the machinery below. The combplate is the piece
between the stationary floor plate and the moving step. It is so named
because its edge has a series of cleats that resemble the teeth of a comb.
These teeth mesh with matching cleats on the edges of the steps. This
design is necessary to minimize the gap between the stair and the landing,
which helps prevent objects from getting caught in the gap.

Major components of Landing Platforms are:

 Combplates also known as walk-on plates are an entrance and exit

for the passengers to the steps. It provides mounting for the comb
segments and combplate (comb impact) switch actuator.

 Comb Segments are replaceable sections, usually between 6” to 8”

in width or maybe narrower, with teeth that mesh (comb) into the step
treads. Comb segment may also be called a combplate by non-
standard noun name. A left hand, a right hand, or a middle section
comb segment can be identified by the pattern of the combs on their
sides and by the width or number of combs.

 Access Covers used as an access to the pit area for inspection,

maintenance, and repairs. The lower landing access cover plates
provide access to the reversing station and step removal. The upper
access cover plates may provide an access to the driving machine, bull
gear, and sometimes the controller.

 Comb Lights are an optional safety device used to illuminate the area
where steps and comb segments meet, mounted at the upper and
lower landing above the comb segments. They are from a different
power source that stays on always even if the unit is not running.

Second: Truss
 The escalator truss

The escalator truss is the structural frame of the escalator and consists of
three major areas:

 The lower section,

 Incline section,

 Upper section.

It is a hollow metal structure that bridges the lower and upper landings. It is
composed of two side sections joined together with cross braces across the
bottom and just below the top.

The ends of the truss are attached to the top and bottom landing platforms
via steel or concrete supports. The truss carries all the straight track sections
connecting the upper and lower sections. The structural steel truss members
are designed to carry the entire load of the escalator equipment and the
steel covering without shifting more than specified by the contract
requirements. The entire structure is rigid enough to maintain close
operating tolerances but will allow for building shift and vibration because of
a built-in system of shift- plates and Teflon pads.

Third: Tracks

Tracks system

The track system is built into the truss to guide the step chain, which
continuously pulls the steps from the bottom platform and back to the top in
an endless loop. There are actually two tracks:

 One for the front wheels of the steps (called the step wheel track).

 One for the back wheels of the steps (called the trailer-wheel track).

The relative positions of these tracks cause the steps to form a staircase as
they move out from under the combplate. Along the straight section of the
truss, the tracks are at their maximum distance apart. This configuration
forces the back of one step to be at a 90-degree angle relative to the step
behind it. This right angle bends the steps into a shape resembling a
staircase.
At the top and bottom of the escalator, the two tracks converge so that the
front and back wheels of the steps are almost in a straight line. This causes
the stairs to lay in a flat sheet-like arrangement, one after another, so they
can easily travel around the bend in the curved section of track.

The tracks carry the steps down along the underside of the truss until they
reach the bottom landing, where they pass through another curved section
of track before exiting the bottom landing. At this point, the tracks separate
and the steps once again assume a staircase configuration. This cycle is
repeated continually as the steps are pulled from bottom to top and back to
the bottom again.

Three major assemblies of the tracks are:

 Upper.

 Incline.

 Lower.

The track assembly is bolted but not welded on the truss for easy removal.
Sometimes they are mounted on boilerplate (support plate mounted against
the truss) or curve plates at the upper and lower landing sections. The tracks
are used to guide steps wheels and step chains in their travel around the
escalator truss. They are curved at the upper and the lower end of the incline
to allow smooth transition of steps from the form of stairs to a horizontal
movement, or vice versa. The lower and top end tracks are formed semi-
circles to contain the chains and the step rollers going around them.

Track assembly major components are:

Track assembly major components

a. Circle Tracks or Crab tracks (A) are located at the top and bottom pits.
Most of the outer circle tracks have access windows for easy step removal.
Some are mounted on a removable or replaceable curve plate. The
Montgomery & Montgomery KONE escalators circle tracks at the lower
reversing station are part of the “make-up track” that travels with the
carriage. Circle tracks provide smooth step travel at the end of the tracks.
The distance of the inside circle track from the carriage shaft of
Westinghouse escalator is used to measure the wear of the step chain.

b. Beveled Track (B) provides smooth transition of chain wheels to and

from the carriage sprockets. Beveled track eliminates the bumping effect of
the chain wheels to the tracks, thus minimizing premature wear and damage
to the wheels.
c. Chain Wheel, Upper Upthrust (hold down) Track (C) is used to hold
down and guide chain wheels to and from the transition.

d. Chain Wheel, Upper Line Track (D). Used to support the chain wheels
to/from the bull gear sprockets' top end through the incline area down to the
carriage sprockets' top, or vice versa.

e. Step Wheel, Lower Upthrust Track (E). A few feet of track used to
hold down and guide step wheels to and from the transition area.

f. Step Wheel, Lower Line Track or Flat Track (F) works in conjunction
with the lower upthrust step wheel track. Flat track supports the step wheels
in either ascending or descending through the incline.

g. Chain Wheel, Return Track (G) is used to support the chain wheels
from the bull gear lower end to the carriage lower end, or vice versa.

h. Step Wheel, Return Track (H). Slightly above the chain wheel return
track at the incline section of the non-passenger side. Step wheel return
track is used to position the step treads to run in parallel with the chain
wheel return track.

Forth: Steps

The steps are solid, one piece, die-cast aluminum or steel. Yellow
demarcation lines may be added to clearly indicate their edges.

The steps are linked by a continuous metal chain that forms a closed loop.
The front and back edges of the steps are each connected to two wheels.
The rear wheels are set further apart to fit into the back track and the front
wheels have shorter axles to fit into the narrower front track. As described
above, the position of the tracks controls the orientation of the steps.

Steps Major Components

Steps Major Components

 The Step Plate (Tread) is the surface area of the step people step
on. The step plate is usually made of an aluminum plate with
longitudinal cleats or grooves that run through the combs and provide
secure footing.

 The Step Riser is the vertical cleat cast into the front of a step,
designed to pass between the cleats of adjacent step, thus creating a
combing action with minimum clearance for safety.

 The Demarcations are yellow strips or may be in bold color around

the step tread but mostly located at the front and at the rear ends of
the tread. They are used to visually locate the step separation and
visual contrast between the steps and the combs.

 Frame/Yoke - main support for riser, step tread, and step wheels

 Trail Wheels are used to guide the step and support its load on the
track and prevent it from being out of plane.
  Step Hook normally attached to the end of the yoke by the step wheel
used to activate the step up thrust safety device when the steps are
not on their plane of travel at the top and bottom inclines.

Note: The length of the step is measured from both ends of the step tread
(front and rear) and the width is from both sides of the step.

Sixth: Handrail

Handrail Assembly

The Handrail provides a convenient handhold for passengers while they are
riding the escalator. In an escalator, the handrail is pulled along its track by a
chain that is connected to the main drive gear by a series of pulleys.

The Handrail is constructed of four distinct sections:

 Handrail Components

 At the center of the handrail is a "slider “also known as a "glider

ply," which is a layer of a cotton or synthetic textile. The purpose of
the slider layer is to allow the handrail to move smoothly along its
track.

 The next layer, known as the “tension member” consists of either

steel cable or flat steel tape and provides the handrail with tensile
strength and flexibility.

 On top of the tension member are the inner construction

components which are made of chemically treated rubber designed
to prevent the layers from separating.

 Finally, the outer layer, the only part that passengers actually see is
the cover which is a blend of synthetic polymers and rubber, this cover
is designed to resist degradation from environmental conditions,
mechanical wear and tear, and human vandalism.
Seventh: Escalator Exterior (Balustrade)

Escalator Exterior (Balustrade)

The Balustrade consists of the handrail and the exterior supporting

structure of the escalator. It is the escalator exterior components extending
above the steps and it supports the handrail. It is either designed as Interior
Low-deck or Interior High-deck.

The balustrade may also refer to the individual interior panels, skirt panels,
and deck covers of the escalator. Each interior balustrade panel section is
individually removable to allow easy access to the escalator interior for
cleaning, maintenance, and component replacement.

Escalator Exterior (Balustrade) Components:

1. Interior Low-deck has interior or side panels that are usually glass
panels that support the handrail base.

2. Interior High-deck is the side panel and is usually aluminum or steel

alloy sheets, sometimes called solid panels. The major components of
interior high-deck are:

a. Skirt Panel - commonly called a “Skirt." It is the interior covering of

the balustrade located alongside the steps. It houses the actuator for the
skirt safety switch. Side Safety Brushes are installed slightly above the step
level on the skirt panel to provide passenger safety between the side of the
steps and the skirt.

b. Interior Panel - commonly called “side panel" by mechanics. The

central point of the balustrade that supports the handrail base and sets the
proper elevation for handrails on a glass balustrade. It provides access to the
handrail; driver, idlers, sheaves, skirt switches in interior high-deck
balustrades, and various components.

c. Handrail Stand - the handrail tracks or guides located above the side
panels or maybe the upper deck.

d. High-deck Interior - the top most, inner part of the balustrade that
supports the handrail track or guide.

e. High-deck Exterior - top most outer covering of the balustrade outside

and above the side panels. Supports the outer side of the handrail guide. If
the outer edge of the deck is greater than 12 inches from centerline of the
handrail, an anti-slide device or sometimes called baggage stops (like a
hockey puck) must be installed.

f. Low-deck Interior or Inner Decks - the inner covering of the balustrade

located between the glass panels and the skirts. Provide access to the
handrail drivers and skirt switches in interior low-deck balustrades.

g. Low-deck Exterior or Outer Decks - the outer covering of the

balustrade located outside the glass panels.

h. Exterior Panel is an outer covering below the high-deck exterior.

i. Newel - is the balustrade termination at the upper and the lower landing
of the escalator in a semi-circle shape. It normally houses the following
switches; emergency stop, on/off, up/down or directional indicator lighting,
Entry to and exit from the escalator normally occurs at one of the newels and
several important features are conveniently located at each.

j. Newel Base or Front Plates - supports the newel stand and it may
house the Handrail Inlet (Guard) Safety Device.

k. Emergency Stop Button is the most important feature at each Newel.

The Emergency Buttons are located so that anyone can stop the escalator if
there is a need. These switches have a lift cover that will sound an audible
alarm when lifted. When either button is pushed, power to the electrical drive
motor is shut off and the escalator brake is applied.

l. Key Operated Switches are located on each Newel and they are used to
control the “ON” and “OFF” operation and the direction of escalator travel.
These switches are intended for the use of authorized personnel only.