The safety brake is one of the most important devices in an elevator system. As a premier elevator monitoring service, ELEVATE Monitoring understands the essence of these devices. If you’re wondering, “How does an elevator safety brake work?” we’ve got the answer below.
Discover how these elaborate brake systems operate, as well as dangerous scenarios that may trigger them.
Understanding the Standard Elevator Braking Mechanism
Every time you ride an elevator, the brakes bring it to a halt using various mechanisms, including:
- The traction motor
- Electromagnetic coils
- A brake wheel
- Brake pads
Whenever a current flows through the electromagnetic coils, the pads that clamp on to a brake wheel will release their grip and allow the motor to run. Once a cab reaches its destination, the system triggers the magnetic force and current to stop. This ultimately causes the brake pads to compress the wheel, preventing the elevator from moving.
Automatic Brakes Enhance Elevator Safety
Modern commercial elevators feature backup braking systems in case of an equipment failure. These mechanisms are designed to automatically deploy when there’s a malfunction with the motor. When you fit a lift with an emergency brake, elevator safety increases to give property owners and riders peace of mind.
How does an elevator safety brake work? Like the standard braking system, safeties rely on several pieces of equipment.
An elevator governor system monitors the car’s speed and ensures it doesn’t lift or lower too quickly. Buffers located near the bottom of the shaft act as shock absorbers to minimize the impact if the brakes don’t bring the car to a halt. The emergency brake, also known as the elevator safety gear, is meant to prevent damage to the car and keep all passengers safe in the event of equipment failure.
Scenarios That Trigger an Elevator’s Safety Brake
When would an elevator need to deploy the emergency brake? Common triggers include:
- The cab moves too fast: Thanks to the governor system’s overspeed protection, elevators will come to a halt if the cab travels at an unsafe speed.
- The elevator loses power: Manufacturers and installers plan for changes in traction, elevator safety malfunctions, and power failure. Emergency brakes will automatically deploy if the system suddenly loses power mid-ride.
- The cable loses slack: The cables that hoist the cab to different levels of a building may not offer complete control. If a cable loses slack, it often affects the travel speed, triggering the governor to send a signal to the braking mechanism.
With routine maintenance, you shouldn’t worry about an elevator using its safety brake. However, in unforeseen scenarios, it’s extremely important to have a functional emergency brake.
Make Your Elevators Safer With Our Expert Assistance
How does an elevator safety brake work? What are the most important elevator safety mechanisms to include in a system? ELEVATE Monitoring has the answers to these questions and more.
Connect with our team today to learn how we can enhance your building’s elevators. Submit our convenient online form or call 877-990-9191 to get started.
