What parts make up a lift?
Although most of us have already travelled in a lift, few people know much about how it works or about its component parts. An electric lift comprises several components, each with a role to play in moving the lift up or down. Additional parts are also essential for passenger safety. What exactly are the component parts of a lift? How are they replaced after a breakdown? Check out these tips from OCTÉ, the lift specialist since 1962!
Components of the hoistway
Electric lifts and freight elevators all comprise three main elements: the shaft, the lift car and the machine room housing the motor. The hoistway is the core of the lift. This is the space through which the lift car moves from floor to floor in a building. Come and learn how a lift works!
Inside the hoistway, several core components ensure the correct operation of an electric lift:
• the passenger car;
• suspension and traction ropes;
•guide rails for the lift car;
• dampers;
•the safety system, e.g. the safety gear;
• landing doors with automatic locking system;
• accessories (e.g. locks)
Browse the OCTÉ catalogue for all your lift shaft installation equipment and spare parts needs – we have been supplying lift systems at the keenest prices for almost 60 years! Our catalogue also contains all the survey forms and documentation.
Components of the machinery room
The machinery room is the beating heart of a lift. It houses the motor as well as several components that ensure the operation, movement and control of the lift. The machinery room is generally located inside or near the shaft, in order to facilitate maintenance technician interventions.
The technical room is where you will find:
• the electric motor that drives the lift;
• electrical components: cables, switches, control units, control cabinet, controller, etc.
• the over-speed governor to limit the speed of the upward and downward motion of the lift car;
• pulleys and the pulley motor;
• brakes for the apparatus;
• deflection pulleys;
How to replace a lift component
If you want to bring your lifts into compliance or install a machine in your building, then solid technical knowledge is a must. That is why we recommend calling in a team of technicians who are qualified to perform this type of work.
OCTÉ can provide you with all of the equipment, accessories and tools you need: spare parts for the lift, motor, counterweight, electronic and electrical components, etc. Metal lift parts are manufactured at our factories in France and Europe. A safety check is performed on each type of lift part.
Replacing the motor, brake, doors, lift cars, traction cable or guides and counterweight must be done in compliance with safety and installation standards.
Lighting in your lift
Lighting is essential in a lift, and is especially important for passengers and service technicians. OCTÉ can provide the technical solution whatever your needs are.
Car lighting
You lift car must be equipped with lighting to guarantee the comfort of users during travel, but also in the event of an emergency stoppage following a breakdown. Lighting is governed by strict standards in terms of power and brightness. However, the aesthetic aspects of your car must also be considered. Through LED technology, OCTÉ offers a wide range of spot lights, or light panels in different dimensions and finishes.
Shaft and machine room lighting
Lift professionals must be able to work on the lift under optimal conditions. Standard-compliant lighting ensures a high degree of safety and good quality work. The shaft, car roof and machinery room must be fitted with lighting in accordance with the French Lifts Directive. OCTÉ has designed kits that are ready to install and easy to use. OCTÉ's range of lighting systems complies with the standards set down and in terms of energy consumption (LED technology), to offer the right solutions for on-site interventions.
Specific lighting:
OCTÉ satisfies the different technical needs based on lift types, such as vandal-proof landing lighting, car and machine room emergency lighting. Check out our dedicated web pages on OCTÉ.shop.
Lift car door operators: A crucial component
Door operators are electric motors which open and close the lift car doors. Normally invisible from the landing or from inside the car, they nonetheless play a key role. Over the life span of your lift, these operators will be repaired or replaced, according to their use and maintenance. When the time comes, you will have to determine whether you need to replace the operators and the doors, or just the operators. The general condition of the car doors will be your main consideration for this decision.
If the doors are in good condition and have been well maintained, the recommendation is to just replace the operators, as doing so will limit the downtime of your lift, reduce your environmental impact (less waste) and limit the impacts on other parts of the lift.
If the doors are damaged or in a state of disrepair, the recommendation is to change the mechanism and the door leaves.
OCTÉ is the official distributor of German brand Langer & Laumann, which specialises in door operators. We offer a huge selection of operator replacement kits based on the lift door manufacturer. These door operators will enhance the comfort and performance of your lift car door, thanks to electronic technology that offers additional settings and reliability. Langer & Laumann door operators are either in stock or they can be sourced within a week.