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Troubleshooting Elevators PDF
Troubleshooting Elevators PDF
Troubleshooting Elevators
How to find and correct problems with motors, drives and controllers
by David Herres
When it comes to troubleshooting, For onsite maintenance persons in a specific
elevators are a special case. The electric facility, before-the-fact information
motors that power them are larger and draw gathering and recordkeeping are critical.
more current than a typical fan or appliance Tools of the trade include manufacturers’
motor. There is a complex system of documentation and diagnostic equipment,
automatic and manual controls. Moreover, which can work together to facilitate fast,
the public places where elevators are usually accurate and safe restoration of service.
found are busy areas where users may be For example, various thermal-imaging
injured or worse in the event of mechanical and temperature-measuring tools can be
or electrical failure. In these facilities, used to discover hot spots that may spell
downtime can mean enormous decline of trouble down the road. A good plan is to
productivity and great material loss. survey functioning machinery while it is
For these reasons, elevator design, working normally, before problems arise.
installation and maintenance demand a high This is particularly true regarding Value: 1
degree of knowledge and expertise. When
the performance of an existing elevator has
temperature rise, because abnormal heat
will eventually spell trouble. It is always
contact
decreased, professional workers are called better to take corrective action before — hour
upon to act quickly so service is restored
without introducing additional hazards.
rather than after — equipment failure, and
this is particularly true regarding elevators.
(0.1 CEU)
Ordinarily, there are two phases to this Approved for
undertaking. First, workers are in an History Continuing
information- In the distant past, a variety of engines Education by
gathering mode, powered elevators. At first, animals, NAEC for CET® and
then, service is including humans, tread in sullen silence to CAT®.
Learning Objectives restored by lift pharaohs and material goods to heights
EW Continuing
means of that, by today’s standards, were modest.
After reading this article, you Education is
component Eventually, water, steam, wind and other
should have learned: currently approved
substitution or forces were substituted for those primitive
♦ Why an elevator motor is energy sources. Beginning in the 19th in the following
repair.
unique century with Thomas Edison’s DC states: AL, AR, FL,
This article
♦ Why information gathering will discuss the generation and distribution system in lower GA, IL, IN, KY, MD,
and recordkeeping are critical preliminary Manhattan, electric motors became the MO, MS, MT, OK, PA,
♦ How thermal imaging tools are troubleshooting primary source of rotary power. VA, VT, WV and WI.
useful task with a view Nikola Tesla, in conjunction with George Please check for
♦ Special problems in hydraulic to developing Westinghouse, developed and marketed the specific course veri-
elevators some methods AC induction motor, and it quickly eclipsed fication of approval
♦ About the main parts of a VFD specific to Edison’s DC motor, which, for the time at www.elevator-
elevator repair. being, continued to serve niche applications. books.com.
Continued
1. When high temperature is sensed: 5. A Fluke ScopeMeter with isolated 9. The purpose of a VFD:
a. A motor will run until it burns out. inputs: a. Is to buffer the control system.
b. The motor may intentionally shut a. Is not recommended for b. Is to control the speed and direction
down as a protective measure. elevator troubleshooting. of the motor.
c. Cold water should be sprayed on the b. Always operates on one input. c. Is to control a DC motor.
motor. c. Is well suited for VFD work. d. Is to help the technician
d. The motor should always be d. None of the above. troubleshoot a bad motor.
replaced.
6. The purpose of the VFD rectifier is to: 10. Voltage on a VFD’s DC bus measures:
2. Hydraulic elevators are only used in: a. Power the DC bus. a. The same as the AC power supply.
a. High-rise applications. b. Power a DC motor. b. Lower than the AC power supply.
b. Low-rise applications. c. Protect the system against lightning c. Higher than the AC power supply.
c. Industrial locations. damage. d. In variation with the speed of the
d. Hazardous locations. d. All of the above. motor.
3. Sealed bearings should not be used in 7. If a VFD fails, it is best to replace the
any motor. entire unit.
a. True a. True
b. False b. False
1. a b c d 6. a b c d
Article title: “Troubleshooting Ele- 2. a b c d 7. a b
vators” (EW, April 2017, p. 49). 3. a b 8. a b c d
Continuing-education credit: This 4. a b c d 9. a b c d
article will earn you one contact hour 5. a b c d 10. a b c d
(0.1 CEU) of elevator-industry continu-
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