Warmer Temperatures and Subsequent Elevator Failures

In our area we have experienced a relatively moderate summer up until the last several weeks and there are several ways in which this can negatively impact your elevator.

Machine Rooms

Elevator machine rooms are susceptible to extreme swings in ambient temperature.  Each elevator component located in the elevator machine room reacts differently to these extreme swings in temperature.  Most elevator machine rooms should be maintained with a temperature between 55 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.  Most new PLC or Microprocessor based elevator systems are more susceptible to extreme temperature swings than older systems.  Most notably, on hydraulic elevators, extreme temperature changes can negatively impact the hydraulic control valve causing a variety of potential safety concerns.

We recommend that each building owner verify proper temperature control systems are in place to ensure the safety of the public invitee who ride the elevator system.

Building Power Changes

As summer temperatures increase, overall power usage also increases due to wide spread high usage of air conditioning systems.  This typically puts a strain on the power company, the power grid, and subsequently can result in extreme power irregularities.

One of the most common of these is referred to as a “brown out”, in which the power company sends less voltage to the building than normal, as they struggle to keep up with increased demand.  As an example, if the main incoming line voltage from the power company was 240 vac during normal conditions, under this condition the building may only get 210 vac from the power company.  This is enough to keep many systems working, but can cause adverse effects to the elevator such as blowing fuses, motor damage, and/or cause protective devices to turn the elevator off completely.

In extreme situations the power can go out in its entirety.  In these situations the danger arises as to the potential failure of elevator components when the power is restored.  Once the power is restored there is an inrush of current that can potentially cause serious damage to the elevator system.  There are various protective devices available that can help protect the elevator in these situations.