Elevator & Lift Glossary

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5G Elevator Connectivity

The use of fifth-generation mobile network technology to provide high-bandwidth, low-laten...

Modern Technologies

5

5G Connectivity in Elevators

The use of fifth-generation mobile network technology to enable high-speed data communicat...

IoT

A

Acceptance Test

A formal series of tests carried out on a newly installed or modernised elevator to verify...

All newly installed elevators

A

Accessibility Lift Standard

Standards specifying lift requirements for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility.

Passenger elevators

A

AI-Based Elevator Dispatch

An artificial intelligence system that uses machine learning to predict passenger demand a...

High-rise

A

Anchor Bolt

A fastener embedded or drilled into the building structure to secure elevator guide rail b...

Structural fixings

A

Annual Inspection

A mandatory periodic inspection of an elevator by a competent person or notified body to v...

Regulatory compliance

A

Annual Inspection Checklist

Structured list of items examined during the mandatory annual elevator inspection.

Traction elevators

A

Anti-Creep Device

A safety device on hydraulic elevators that prevents slow downward movement (creep) of the...

Hydraulic elevator

A

Anti-False-Call Device

System that cancels car calls registered in error or by vandals.

All elevator types

A

Anti-Nuisance Feature

A control logic function that cancels all car calls when the car travels empty or when an ...

Traffic management

A

Anti-Rollback Device

A control function or mechanical device that prevents the elevator car from rolling backwa...

All traction elevators with VVVF drives

A

AR-Assisted Elevator Maintenance

Augmented reality tools that overlay digital schematics and instructions onto real elevato...

Digital service

A

ASME A17.1

The primary North American safety code for elevators, escalators, and related conveyances,...

All elevator installations in the USA an...

A

ASME A17.2

American standard providing inspection and test procedures for elevators.

Escalators

A

Attendant Control

Manual control mode allowing an operator inside the car to manage elevator dispatch.

Passenger elevators

A

Attendant Operation

A manual elevator control mode where a trained operator controls the car movements, door o...

Special operations

A

Augmented Reality (Lift Maintenance)

The use of AR headsets or smartphone overlays to superimpose real-time diagnostic data, wi...

Modern Technologies

A

Augmented Reality for Elevator Maintenance

The use of AR headsets or smartphone apps to overlay digital repair instructions, componen...

Elevator maintenance

A

Augmented Reality Maintenance

The use of augmented reality glasses or smartphone overlays to superimpose digital mainten...

Field service

A

Auto-Dialler

An electronic device in the elevator that automatically calls a pre-programmed emergency n...

Emergency alarm

A

Automatic Rescue Device (ARD)

A battery-powered emergency unit that automatically drives a stranded elevator to the near...

All passenger elevators in buildings wit...

A

Auxiliary Power Supply

Secondary power source supplying elevator control, lighting, and safety circuits.

Passenger elevators

B

Battery Backup System

A rechargeable battery system that provides emergency power to run the elevator to the nea...

Emergency power

B

Battery Charger (Elevator)

An electronic device that maintains the charge of emergency battery packs used for emergen...

Electrical Systems

B

Belt-Driven Elevator

Traction elevator using flat coated steel belts instead of traditional round wire ropes.

Traction elevators

B

Biometric Access Elevator

An elevator system that uses biometric identification — fingerprint, facial recognition, o...

Access control

B

Blockchain Maintenance Log

Immutable distributed ledger used to record elevator maintenance events and inspection his...

All elevator types

B

BMS Integration for Elevators

The connection of elevator control systems to a building management system enabling centra...

Commercial offices

B

Brake Adjustment

The maintenance procedure of setting the correct air gap, spring force, and braking torque...

Traction machine

B

Brake Rectifier

Electronic device converting AC supply to DC for operating the electromagnetic brake coil.

Passenger elevators

B

Brake Release

The manual or automatic procedure by which the electromagnetic brake on an elevator tracti...

All traction elevators — emergency rescu...

B

Broken Rope Detector

A safety device that detects the failure or breakage of one or more suspension ropes and p...

Suspension ropes

B

Broken Shaft Detection

Safety device that detects fracture of the drive machine shaft.

Traction elevators

B

BS EN 81

The British adoption of the European EN 81 series of safety standards for lifts, escalator...

UK compliance

B

Buffer

An energy-absorbing device installed at the base of the elevator pit beneath the car and c...

All traction and hydraulic elevators — m...

B

Buffer Oil

The hydraulic fluid used in oil-filled elevator buffers to absorb and dissipate the kineti...

Mechanical Components

B

Buffer Plunger

Moving piston of an oil buffer that absorbs impact energy from the car or counterweight.

Hydraulic elevators

B

Buffer Return Spring

Spring that restores the buffer plunger to its normal extended position after compression.

Hydraulic elevators

B

Buffer Stroke

The distance an elevator buffer compresses or deflects when struck by the car or counterwe...

Buffer

B

Buffer Test Procedure

Formal test verifying elevator buffer energy absorption at rated speed.

Hydraulic elevators

C

Call Cancellation

A control feature that removes a mistakenly registered car call from the elevator's call q...

Control Systems

C

CAN Bus in Elevators

The use of Controller Area Network serial communication protocol to transmit data between ...

Serial communication

C

Car Apron (Toe Guard)

A rigid downward-facing panel attached to the bottom of the elevator car sill, extending i...

All elevators — safety component at car ...

C

Car Buffer

An energy-absorption device at the pit floor beneath the elevator car that cushions the im...

Passenger elevators

C

Car Buffer Spring

A spring-type buffer device in the elevator pit that decelerates and stops the elevator ca...

Pit safety

C

Car Call Button

The illuminated pushbutton on the elevator car operating panel that a passenger presses to...

Passenger interface

C

Car Call Registration

The process by which a passenger pressing a destination floor button inside the elevator c...

Passenger interface

C

Car Ceiling

The overhead interior panel of the elevator car, housing lighting fixtures and ventilation...

Car interior

C

Car Ceiling Panel

Interior ceiling element of the elevator car providing lighting and aesthetics.

All elevator types

C

Car Crosshead

The horizontal beam at the top of the car sling to which the suspension ropes are attached...

Car frame

C

Car Door Coupler

A mechanical linkage device on the car door that engages the landing door drive mechanism ...

Mechanical Components

C

Car Door Gibs

Plastic or nylon guide inserts fitted in the elevator car door sill groove that keep door ...

Mechanical Components

C

Car Door Hanger Roller

A sealed bearing roller mounted on the car door hanger assembly that runs along the car do...

Mechanical Components

C

Car Door Lock (Car Door Contact / Car Gate Lock)

A safety device on the elevator car door that forms part of the safety circuit, preventing...

All elevators with car doors — safety ci...

C

Car Door Sill

The grooved threshold profile fixed at the base of the elevator car entrance that guides t...

Car entrance

C

Car Door Sill Gap

The horizontal clearance between the car door sill and the landing door sill when the elev...

Mechanical Components

C

Car Door Sill Insert

Replaceable wear strip fitted into the car door sill groove to guide door panels.

Passenger elevators

C

Car Door Track

The overhead rail system fixed to the car door header on which car door hanger rollers sli...

Mechanical Components

C

Car Emergency Exit

A trapdoor or hatch in the elevator car roof or wall that provides an escape route for tra...

Safety Systems

C

Car Enclosure (Cab)

The finished interior walls, ceiling, lighting, and flooring panels that form the passenge...

All passenger elevators

C

Car Fan

An electric fan fitted in the elevator car ceiling or wall to circulate air and maintain p...

Car ventilation

C

Car Flooring

The floor surface inside the elevator car, designed for durability, slip resistance, and l...

Car interior

C

Car Frame (Sling)

The structural steel frame that supports the elevator car platform, enclosure, and safety ...

All traction elevator types

C

Car Frame Crosshead

Horizontal top member of the elevator car frame connecting the two stiles.

Traction elevators

C

Car Frame Stile

Vertical member of the elevator car frame that provides structural rigidity.

Traction elevators

C

Car Gate Contact

An electrical safety switch on the elevator car door or gate that prevents drive circuit e...

Car door safety

C

Car Gate Safety Contact

Electrical contact ensuring the car gate is fully closed before elevator movement.

All elevator types

C

Car Gate Switch

An electrical safety contact that confirms the car gate or car door is fully closed before...

Safety Systems

C

Car Guide Shoe / Roller Guide

The sliding or rolling interface component attached to the car frame and counterweight fra...

All elevator car frames and counterweigh...

C

Car Indicator Display

Digital or analogue display inside the elevator car showing current floor position and dir...

All elevator types

C

Car Interior Handrail

Grab rail mounted inside the elevator car to assist passengers.

All elevator types

C

Car Lighting Circuit

The dedicated electrical circuit supplying normal and emergency lighting to the elevator c...

Car electrics

C

Car Load Sensor

A weighing device installed under the elevator car platform that measures passenger load t...

Overload protection

C

Car Operating Panel

The control panel inside the elevator car containing floor-call buttons, door controls, em...

All passenger elevators

C

Car Operating Panel Frame

Structural enclosure housing the car operating panel components.

All elevator types

C

Car Overload Device

Device that prevents elevator departure when car load exceeds rated capacity.

Passenger elevators

C

Car Position Indicator

A display device inside the elevator car and/or at landings that shows passengers the curr...

All passenger elevators — mandatory in a...

C

Car Preference

Control feature giving dispatch priority to the elevator car serving the most calls.

Elevator systems

C

Car Preference Control

An elevator control feature that temporarily assigns a specific elevator car in a group to...

Office and residential buildings requiri...

C

Car Priority Call

A control feature that assigns the highest dispatch priority to a specific car or call, us...

Control Systems

C

Car Roof Hatch

An openable panel in the elevator car roof providing emergency egress for passengers and a...

Emergency egress

C

Car Sill

The threshold extrusion at the bottom of the elevator car entrance that bridges the gap to...

All passenger

C

Car Sling

The structural steel framework that surrounds and supports the elevator car body, transmit...

Car structure

C

Car Toe Guard

A rigid apron or skirt panel extending downward from the car sill to reduce the risk of pa...

Shaft protection

C

Car Top Balustrade

A guardrail fitted around the perimeter of the elevator car roof to protect maintenance pe...

Car top

C

Car Top Clearance Sensor

Sensor that verifies adequate overhead clearance above the car top before upward movement.

Traction elevators

C

Car Top Handrail (Car Roof Handrail)

A safety railing permanently installed on the roof (top) of the elevator car that provides...

All elevator car tops accessed by mainte...

C

Car Top Inspection Box

An electrical control station on the elevator car roof that allows maintenance personnel t...

Electrical Systems

C

Car Top Inspection Panel

A control panel mounted on top of the elevator car enabling technicians to safely operate ...

Maintenance

C

Car Top Inspection Panel (CTIP)

The control station mounted on top of the elevator car that allows maintenance engineers t...

All elevator installations — mandatory c...

C

Car Top Inspection Station

A control station mounted on the elevator car roof enabling maintenance engineers to drive...

All traction elevators — mandatory EN 81...

C

Car Top Stop Switch (Inspection Control)

A safety stop switch and inspection control panel mounted on top of the elevator car that ...

All elevators — mandatory car top safety...

C

Car Ventilation

The system of openings, fans, or air-conditioning units that provides fresh air circulatio...

All passenger elevator car enclosures — ...

C

Carbon Footprint of Elevators

The total greenhouse gas emissions associated with an elevator's manufacture, installation...

Sustainability

C

Carbon-Neutral Elevator

An elevator system engineered to achieve net-zero carbon emissions through energy efficien...

Modern Technologies

C

CE Marking for Lifts

The mandatory conformity mark affixed to an elevator placed on the EU market, indicating c...

All new lifts placed on the EU market; m...

C

CE Marking for Lifts

The mandatory European conformity mark applied to new lifts and safety components indicati...

EU market access

C

CEN/TR 81-11

A CEN technical report providing guidance on the design of machine-room-less (MRL) elevato...

Machine-room-less

C

Cloud-Based Elevator Monitoring

A remote monitoring system that collects elevator performance data continuously and stream...

Remote monitoring

C

Cloud-Based Monitoring

Remote elevator monitoring system that stores and analyses operational data in a cloud pla...

Passenger elevators

C

Cloud-Connected Elevator

An elevator system that transmits operational data to remote cloud servers for real-time m...

Remote monitoring

C

Collective Control

An elevator control system that collects multiple car calls and hall calls and serves them...

Elevator dispatching

C

Compensating Rope

A rope loop attached to the underside of the car and counterweight that equalises rope wei...

High-rise traction elevators

C

Compensation Chain / Rope

A chain or rope system connecting the undersides of the elevator car and counterweight, co...

High-rise elevator installations — rope ...

C

Compensation Chain Guide

Device that guides and stabilizes the compensation chain in the elevator pit.

All elevator types

C

Compensation Rope Hitch

Termination device securing compensation ropes to the car and counterweight.

Traction elevators

C

Contactless Call Registration

An elevator call system that allows passengers to summon and direct elevators without phys...

Hygiene

C

Contactless Destination Call

A hands-free floor registration system using smartphone apps, QR codes, or proximity senso...

Modern Technologies

C

Contactless Elevator Control

Technology allowing passengers to summon and operate elevators without physically touching...

All elevator types

C

Control Transformer

Transformer that steps down mains voltage to the control circuit voltage.

Traction elevator drive systems

C

Controller Cabinet

The enclosure housing the elevator control electronics, drives, safety relays, and termina...

Control systems

C

Counterweight

A weighted assembly that balances the elevator car and reduces the traction motor load dur...

All traction elevators

C

Counterweight Buffer

An energy-absorbing device in the pit positioned under the counterweight travel path to li...

All traction elevators

C

Counterweight Buffer

An energy-absorbing device positioned in the elevator pit beneath the counterweight travel...

Mechanical Components

C

Counterweight Filler (Counterweight Weight Plates)

The removable cast-iron or concrete filler blocks stacked inside the counterweight frame t...

All traction elevator installations — co...

C

Counterweight Frame (Counterweight Cage)

The structural steel framework that holds the counterweight filler plates in position, con...

All traction elevators — structural fram...

C

Counterweight Frame Tie Rod

Threaded rod connecting counterweight frame stiles to maintain frame geometry.

Traction elevators

C

Counterweight Guide Rail

Steel T-section rails installed in the hoistway to guide the counterweight frame along a s...

Hoistway

C

Counterweight Safety Arrest Rail

Rail component that arrests the counterweight during a safety gear activation.

Traction elevators

C

Counterweight Safety Gear

A safety device mounted on the counterweight frame that engages the guide rails to stop th...

Counterweight protection

C

Counterweight Tie Rod

A threaded steel rod that clamps counterweight filler blocks together within the counterwe...

Mechanical Components

D

Declaration of Conformity

A formal document issued by the lift installer or manufacturer declaring that the elevator...

All new lifts placed on the EU market an...

D

Deflector Sheave

A fixed grooved wheel in the machine room that redirects suspension ropes from the drive s...

Traction elevators with offset machine r...

D

Destination Control System

System where passengers enter their destination floor before boarding to optimise dispatch...

Elevator systems

D

Destination Control System (DCS)

An advanced elevator dispatching technology that groups passengers travelling to the same ...

Medium-to-high-rise office buildings

D

Destination Dispatch Control

A smart dispatching system where passengers enter their destination floor before boarding,...

High-traffic office towers

D

Digital Maintenance Log

An electronic record-keeping system that captures all elevator maintenance activities, tes...

Maintenance management

D

Digital Twin for Elevators

A real-time virtual replica of a physical elevator that mirrors its operational state, ena...

High-value commercial

D

Diverter Pulley

A sheave in the hoistway used to change the direction of the suspension ropes between the ...

Machine room

D

Door Adjustment

The process of setting correct sill gap, door speed, coupling engagement, and contact alig...

Door maintenance

D

Door Alignment Procedure

Step-by-step process for aligning elevator car and landing doors to ensure smooth and safe...

Passenger elevators

D

Door Bypass Switch

A keyed or sealed maintenance switch that temporarily overrides the door interlock circuit...

Safety Systems

D

Door Contact (Door Interlock)

The electromechanical safety switch fitted to every landing door and car door that is wire...

All elevator installations — mandatory s...

D

Door Coupler

A mechanical device that couples the car door to the landing door so both open and close s...

Door systems

D

Door Header

The structural member above the elevator door opening that supports the door track, hanger...

Door installation

D

Door Hold Open Button

A button in the elevator car or on the landing panel that extends the door open dwell time...

Control Systems

D

Door Light Curtain

An array of infrared beams spanning the full height of the door opening that detects obstr...

All passenger and hospital elevators

D

Door Motor

The electric motor within the door operator that drives the car doors open and closed via ...

Door operator

D

Door Motor Drive

Electronic drive controlling the speed and torque of the car door operator motor.

Passenger elevators

D

Door Open Button

A push button in the elevator car and at landings that commands the door operator to hold ...

Passenger interface

D

Door Open Time

The adjustable duration for which elevator doors remain open at a landing to allow passeng...

Door control

D

Door Open While Running Protection

Safety circuit preventing car movement when doors are not fully closed and locked.

Passenger elevators

D

Door Operator

An electromechanical unit that opens and closes elevator car and landing doors automatical...

Passenger elevators

D

Door Operator Motor

The electric motor that drives the door opening and closing mechanism, controlling speed, ...

Mechanical Components

D

Door Reopening Device (Light Curtain / Safety Edge)

A safety device on the elevator car door that detects passengers or obstructions in the do...

All power-operated elevator car doors — ...

D

Door Restrictor

A device that prevents the landing door from being opened more than 50 mm when the elevato...

Landing doors

D

Door Reversal Test

A periodic safety test that verifies the elevator door safety edge or light curtain correc...

Safety Systems

D

Door Safety Edge

A sensor strip mounted on the elevator car door edge that detects obstructions and reverse...

Door protection

D

Door Zone

A defined vertical window centred on each floor level within which the elevator car is per...

All elevator installations — fundamental...

D

Door Zone Sensor

A sensor that detects when the elevator car is within the permissible landing zone where d...

Landing detection

D

Double-Deck Elevator

An elevator with two stacked car compartments sharing a single hoistway and drive system, ...

High-rise office and mixed-use towers wi...

D

Down Collective Control

An elevator control mode that collects and serves all hall and car calls only in the downw...

Residential lifts

D

Drive Sheave

The grooved wheel on the elevator traction machine shaft over which the suspension ropes r...

All traction elevators — the fundamental...

D

Drive Sheave

The grooved wheel on the traction machine shaft that grips suspension ropes through fricti...

All traction elevator machines

D

Dual Car Control

Control system coordinating two elevators sharing hall calls to improve service.

All elevator types

D

Dumbwaiter

A small, low-capacity goods-only lift designed to transport items such as food, laundry, o...

Restaurants

D

Duplex Control

A group control arrangement coordinating two elevators to optimise waiting times and even-...

Two-elevator group

E

Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB)

A safety device that disconnects the elevator electrical supply if earth leakage current e...

Electrical safety

E

Earthing System

The network of conductors connecting all metal parts of an elevator installation to earth ...

Electrical safety

E

Earthquake Operation Standard

Standard specifying elevator behaviour before, during, and after seismic events.

Traction elevators

E

Edge Computing for Elevators

The deployment of local computing resources within or adjacent to an elevator installation...

Modern elevator installations with predi...

E

Electrical Earthing

The connection of all exposed metalwork in an elevator installation to the earth conductor...

All elevator installations — mandatory e...

E

Electromagnetic Brake

A spring-applied, electrically-released holding brake on the traction machine that keeps t...

All traction elevator machines

E

Elevator Absolute Encoder

A rotary position sensor fitted to the traction machine or governor sheave that provides a...

Traction elevator drives; MRL systems; P...

E

Elevator Acoustic Insulation

Materials and design measures applied to an elevator shaft, machine room, and car structur...

Residential buildings

E

Elevator Advertising Display

A digital or static media screen installed inside the elevator cabin or at landing call st...

Commercial buildings

E

Elevator Anti Vibration Pad

An elastomeric or composite isolation element placed between the traction machine bedplate...

Machine rooms and MRL overhead spaces; g...

E

Elevator API

A software application programming interface that allows third-party systems to communicat...

System integration

E

Elevator API Integration

The connection of an elevator control system to external software platforms via applicatio...

Smart buildings

E

Elevator App Integration

The technical interface that connects elevator systems to third-party building apps, tenan...

Smart building

E

Elevator AR Inspection Tool

A software application using augmented reality to guide inspection engineers through stand...

Modern Technologies

E

Elevator Asynchronous Motor

An AC induction motor used as the prime mover in geared elevator traction machines, operat...

Geared traction machines; low-to-medium ...

E

Elevator Automatic Door

A power-operated elevator door system in which the car and landing doors open and close au...

All passenger elevator types; commercial

E

Elevator Auxiliary Relay

An electromechanical switching device used in elevator control panels to amplify, isolate,...

Elevator machine room panels; controller...

E

Elevator BLDC Motor

A brushless DC permanent-magnet motor used in elevator door operators or small traction ma...

Elevator door operators; small home-lift...

E

Elevator Blockchain

The application of distributed ledger technology to elevator maintenance records, inspecti...

Asset management

E

Elevator Brake Arm

A pivoting lever forming part of the electromagnetic brake assembly on a traction machine,...

Traction machine brakes; geared and gear...

E

Elevator Brake Coil

Electromagnetic coil that releases the traction machine brake when energised.

Traction elevators

E

Elevator Brake Lining

The friction material bonded or riveted to the brake arm shoe that contacts the brake drum...

Traction machine drum and disc brakes; a...

E

Elevator Brake Pad

A replaceable friction element used in disc-brake style elevator stopping devices or safet...

Disc-brake traction machines; progressiv...

E

Elevator Brake Resistor

A power resistor bank connected to the DC bus of a VVVF drive to dissipate regenerative br...

VVVF drive installations without regener...

E

Elevator Brake Spring

The compression or tension spring in a traction machine brake that provides the clamping f...

Traction machine electromagnetic brakes;...

E

Elevator Brake Torque

The retarding moment (N·m) that the traction machine brake must generate to hold or decele...

All traction elevator installations; com...

E

Elevator Building Automation

The integration of elevator systems into the broader building automation and control syste...

Smart commercial buildings

E

Elevator Cab Renovation

The process of refurbishing the interior of an elevator car — walls, floor, ceiling, light...

Modernisation

E

Elevator Cabin

The enclosed passenger or freight compartment of an elevator that travels vertically withi...

All elevator types; passenger

E

Elevator Cabin Air Conditioner

A compact refrigerant-cycle or thermoelectric cooling unit installed in the elevator cabin...

VIP and luxury elevator cabins; Middle E...

E

Elevator Cabin Air Purifier

A compact air filtration or sterilisation device installed in the elevator cabin to reduce...

Hospitals

E

Elevator Cabin Camera

A video capture device (analogue or IP) mounted inside the elevator cabin to record or tra...

Security

E

Elevator Cabin CCTV

A closed-circuit television system installed inside the elevator cabin to provide continuo...

Commercial

E

Elevator Cabin Ceiling

The overhead panel assembly of the elevator cabin, housing lighting fixtures, ventilation ...

All passenger elevator cabin interiors; ...

E

Elevator Cabin Cladding

Decorative or protective facing materials applied over the structural cabin wall panels, i...

Luxury

E

Elevator Cabin Corner Profile

An extruded aluminium or stainless-steel section used to cover, protect, and join the vert...

All passenger elevator cabin interiors; ...

E

Elevator Cabin Decoration

The totality of aesthetic finish elements applied to an elevator cabin interior — includin...

All passenger elevator types; hotel

E

Elevator Cabin Display

An electronic indicator device inside the elevator cabin that shows the current floor posi...

All passenger elevator cabins; commercia...

E

Elevator Cabin Door

The powered door panel or panels forming the entrance to the elevator cabin, driven by a d...

All passenger elevator types; residentia...

E

Elevator Cabin Fan

A compact axial or centrifugal fan mounted in the elevator cabin ceiling or rear wall void...

All elevator cabin interiors with enclos...

E

Elevator Cabin Flooring

The finish floor material and subfloor assembly installed on the cabin platform, providing...

All elevator cabin interiors; residentia...

E

Elevator Cabin Frame

The inner structural steel frame of the elevator cabin that supports the floor platform, w...

All elevator cabin assemblies; residenti...

E

Elevator Cabin Handrail

A horizontal or angled grab rail mounted to the cabin rear or side wall at a specified hei...

Accessible passenger lifts; hospital

E

Elevator Cabin Isolation

The use of elastomeric mounts, pads, and damping elements between the cabin inner frame an...

Premium residential

E

Elevator Cabin LED Lighting

Light-emitting diode luminaires installed in the elevator cabin ceiling, walls, and floor ...

All passenger elevator cabin interiors

E

Elevator Cabin Mirror

A glass or polished stainless-steel reflective panel installed on the rear wall or side wa...

All passenger elevator cabins; accessibl...

E

Elevator Cabin Modernization

The refurbishment or complete replacement of an existing elevator cabin interior — includi...

Existing residential

E

Elevator Cabin Renovation

The restoration or updating of an elevator cabin interior through the replacement of worn,...

Residential and light-commercial elevato...

E

Elevator Cabin Skirting

A protective and decorative trim profile installed at the junction between the cabin wall ...

All elevator cabin interiors; hospital

E

Elevator Cabin Speaker

A compact loudspeaker unit installed in the elevator cabin ceiling or COP panel area to re...

Accessible passenger lifts; hotel

E

Elevator Cabin Spot Lighting

Directional recessed or surface-mounted LED downlight fixtures installed in the elevator c...

Luxury

E

Elevator Cabin Suspension

The rope, belt, or chain system that suspends the elevator car frame from the traction mac...

All traction elevator types; roping desi...

E

Elevator Cabin UV Sterilization

The application of ultraviolet-C (UVC) irradiation inside the elevator cabin to inactivate...

Hospitals

E

Elevator Cabin Ventilation

The provision of adequate fresh air flow through the elevator cabin to maintain acceptable...

All elevator cabin types; mandatory in e...

E

Elevator Cabin Wall Panel

A prefabricated structural panel forming the interior wall surface of the elevator cabin, ...

All elevator cabin manufacturing; new in...

E

Elevator CAN Bus Module

A Controller Area Network interface module that enables serial communication between distr...

Traction and hydraulic elevator controll...

E

Elevator Car Indicator

A display device inside or above the elevator cabin entrance that shows passengers the cur...

All passenger elevator cabin and entranc...

E

Elevator Car Interior

The complete interior finish package of an elevator car comprising walls, ceiling, floor, ...

All passenger elevators — aesthetic

E

Elevator Car Lighting

The permanent and emergency lighting system inside the elevator car, comprising normal ill...

All passenger elevators — mandatory norm...

E

Elevator CE Marking

The mandatory conformity marking applied to elevators placed on the market in the European...

All elevators installed in the EU and Tu...

E

Elevator Center Opening Door

A sliding elevator door configuration in which two door panels part symmetrically from the...

Commercial

E

Elevator Chemical Anchor

A post-installed fastener system in which a two-component resin adhesive (epoxy, polyester...

Elevator shaft construction; guide rail ...

E

Elevator Coated Steel Belt

A flat suspension element consisting of multiple high-strength steel cords encapsulated in...

Modern gearless MRL traction elevators; ...

E

Elevator Commissioning

The systematic process of verifying, adjusting, and testing all mechanical, electrical, an...

All new elevator installations before en...

E

Elevator Contactor

Electromechanical switching device controlling motor and brake circuits in the elevator.

Passenger elevators

E

Elevator Controller

The microprocessor-based control unit that manages all elevator functions including motor ...

All elevator types — traction

E

Elevator Controller Modernization

The replacement of an existing elevator's relay-logic or early microprocessor controller w...

Aging elevator installations over 15–20 ...

E

Elevator COP Panel

The Car Operating Panel (COP) is the control interface inside the elevator cabin from whic...

All passenger elevators; commercial

E

Elevator Counterweight Screen

A protective enclosure or mesh barrier in the elevator pit and shaft that prevents persons...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Current Transformer

An instrument transformer that measures the AC current drawn by the elevator motor, provid...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator Cybersecurity

The set of technical and organisational measures applied to protect elevator control syste...

Connected elevator installations with re...

E

Elevator Destination Terminal

A hall-level input terminal where passengers enter their destination floor before entering...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Digital Twin

Virtual real-time replica of a physical elevator for monitoring and predictive maintenance...

Traction elevators

E

Elevator Divider Beam

A horizontal structural beam spanning the elevator shaft that separates the car and counte...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Door Architrave

A decorative surround frame fitted around the elevator landing door opening on the landing...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Belt

A toothed or V-belt drive component in the elevator door operator that transmits torque fr...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Cam

A profiled mechanical component on the door operator drive that controls door panel speed ...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Clutch

A mechanical engagement device on the car door that locks onto and drives the landing door...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Control Board

The dedicated printed circuit board that controls the elevator door operator motor, monito...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Door Encoder

An incremental or absolute position sensor on the door operator motor shaft that provides ...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Door Frame

The structural surround that defines the landing door opening in the elevator hoistway wal...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Gib

A replaceable plastic or nylon guide insert fitted in the door sill groove that keeps door...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Guide

A track or channel that constrains the lateral movement of elevator door panels, ensuring ...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Inverter

A variable-frequency drive integrated within or connected to the elevator door operator th...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Door Jamb

The vertical side member of the elevator landing door frame that defines the sides of the ...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Modernization

The replacement or upgrade of an existing elevator door system with new operator, panels, ...

Modernization

E

Elevator Door Noise Reduction

The set of design and installation measures that minimise sound generated by elevator door...

Installation

E

Elevator Door Pulley

A small wheel or sheave that redirects the door operator drive belt or cable in the door d...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Skate

A guide shoe or slider fitted to the bottom of a door panel that engages the sill groove t...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Synchronization

The coordinated timing control that ensures multiple door panels open and close simultaneo...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Door Timing Belt

A toothed drive belt that transmits rotary motion from the door motor to the door hanger c...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Torque Limiter

A mechanical or electronic device that caps the maximum torque the door motor can apply, l...

Door Components

E

Elevator Door Types

The classification of elevator door configurations by opening mechanism — centre-opening, ...

All elevator installations — door type s...

E

Elevator Dot Matrix Display

A matrix of LEDs or pixels used to show floor numbers, direction arrows, and messages on e...

Indicators & UI

E

Elevator Earthquake Switch

A seismic detector that stops elevator operation when ground motion exceeds a threshold, p...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator Eco Mode

An energy-saving operating mode that reduces elevator power consumption during low-traffic...

Smart & IoT

E

Elevator EMC Filter

An electromagnetic compatibility filter fitted to the elevator drive or controller to supp...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Emergency Telephone

A two-way communication device inside the elevator car that connects passengers to assista...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator Emergency Trap Door

A hatch in the elevator car roof or floor through which passengers can be evacuated in an ...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator EN81 Upgrade

A modernisation programme that brings an existing elevator into compliance with the curren...

Modernization

E

Elevator Energy Certificate

A formal document or label classifying an elevator's energy efficiency according to a stan...

Standards and Compliance

E

Elevator Energy Label

An energy efficiency classification system for elevators, analogous to EU appliance labels...

Energy efficiency

E

Elevator Energy Retrofit

A modernisation project focused on reducing an elevator's energy consumption through compo...

Modernization

E

Elevator Facial Recognition Access

A biometric access control system that uses facial recognition to authenticate passengers ...

Smart & IoT

E

Elevator Flat Belt

A flat, fibre-reinforced polymer belt used as a hoisting element in some modern traction e...

Ropes & Cables

E

Elevator Fuse Holder

A panel-mounted or rail-mounted device that securely holds protective fuses in the elevato...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator Glass Cabin

An elevator car enclosure with glass walls, ceiling, or panels offering panoramic views an...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator Glass Door

An elevator door panel with full or partial glass glazing, combining aesthetics with passe...

Door Components

E

Elevator Glass Handrail

A structural glass panel used as a handrail support element inside an elevator cabin, comb...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator Governor

An overspeed safety device that mechanically detects excessive car speed and triggers the ...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator Granite Flooring

Natural granite stone tiles or slabs installed as the floor surface inside an elevator cab...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator GSM Module

A cellular communication module in the elevator system that enables remote monitoring, ala...

Smart & IoT

E

Elevator Guide Insert

A replaceable wear liner fitted inside a guide shoe housing that contacts the guide rail a...

Guide Rails & Shoes

E

Elevator Hairline Stainless Cabin

An elevator car interior finished with hairline-brushed stainless steel panels on walls, c...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator Handover

The formal process of transferring responsibility for a newly installed or modernised elev...

New installation

E

Elevator Harmonic Filter

A passive or active filter installed on the elevator power supply to reduce harmonic disto...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator Hoisting Machine

The complete drive unit comprising motor, brake, and sheave that raises and lowers the ele...

Traction & Machines

E

Elevator Hydraulic Buffer

An oil-filled deceleration device in the elevator pit that absorbs the kinetic energy of a...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator Incremental Encoder

A rotary encoder that generates pulses proportional to shaft rotation, used for speed meas...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Infrared Curtain

A multi-beam infrared safety device spanning the door opening that detects obstructions an...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator Inspection Box

A control station on the elevator car roof or in the pit used by technicians for inspectio...

Maintenance & Testing

E

Elevator Installation Bracket

A structural steel bracket used to anchor guide rails, machine bedplates, or other elevato...

Installation

E

Elevator Interphone System

A dedicated two-way audio communication system in the elevator car and machine room enabli...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator IoT Gateway

A network device that connects elevator controllers and sensors to cloud platforms for rem...

Smart & IoT

E

Elevator Laser Alignment

The use of laser instruments to achieve precise alignment of guide rails, sills, and other...

Installation

E

Elevator LCD Display

A liquid crystal display panel used in elevator car operating panels and hall indicators t...

Indicators & UI

E

Elevator Line Reactor

An AC line reactor (inductor) wired in series between the mains supply and the elevator dr...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator LOP Panel

A landing operating panel at each floor that allows passengers to call the elevator and vi...

Indicators & UI

E

Elevator Lubrication Schedule

A planned maintenance programme specifying the lubricants, quantities, frequencies, and ap...

All elevator types — preventive maintena...

E

Elevator Machine Bedplate

A rigid steel or cast-iron base frame bolted to the machine beam on which the traction mac...

Traction & Machines

E

Elevator Machine Isolation

The use of anti-vibration mounts, resilient pads, or inertia bases between the traction ma...

Traction & Machines

E

Elevator Magnetic Sensor

A non-contact proximity sensor — typically Hall-effect or reed-switch type — used in eleva...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Main PCB

The central printed circuit board (main controller board) in the elevator control panel th...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Main Switch

Principal disconnect switch that isolates all elevator electrical power.

All elevator types

E

Elevator Marble Flooring

Natural or engineered marble stone tiles installed as the cab floor finish, selected for d...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator MCB

A miniature circuit breaker (MCB) used in elevator control panels to provide over-current ...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator MCCB

A moulded-case circuit breaker (MCCB) serving as the main isolating and over-current prote...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator Mirror Stainless Cabin

An elevator car interior finished with mirror-polished (No. 8) or brush-mirror stainless s...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator Mobile App

A smartphone application that allows users to call elevators, enter destinations, and rece...

Touchless control

E

Elevator Modernisation

The planned replacement or upgrade of major elevator components to restore safety complian...

Aging traction and hydraulic elevators

E

Elevator Modernisation

The planned replacement or upgrade of major elevator components — typically the control sy...

Existing elevator installations requirin...

E

Elevator Modernization

The planned replacement or upgrading of major elevator components — drive, controller, rop...

Modernization

E

Elevator Motor Driver

The power-electronic drive unit (variable-frequency drive, VFD) that converts fixed-freque...

Traction & Machines

E

Elevator Noise Dampening

The collective application of vibration isolation, acoustic absorbents, and structural dec...

Installation

E

Elevator Occupancy Detector

A sensor system that detects the number of passengers in the elevator car in real time, en...

Modern Technologies

E

Elevator Occupancy Sensor

A device that detects the number of passengers inside the elevator car to optimise dispatc...

Smart dispatch

E

Elevator Overload Sensor

A load-detection device that prevents elevator departure when the car payload exceeds 100 ...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Overspeed Protection

The complete set of interacting safety systems — governor, safety gear, brake, and drive e...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator Panoramic Cabin

An elevator car in which one or more walls are constructed from structural glass, providin...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator Pit Alarm

An audible and/or visual alarm device in the elevator pit that can be activated manually o...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Pit Buffer Support

A structural steel frame, concrete plinth, or fabricated pedestal fixed to the pit floor t...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator Pit Inspection Box

A control panel mounted in the elevator pit that provides stop, lighting, and inspection-m...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Pit Lighting

Permanent electric lighting installed in the elevator pit to provide at least 50 lux at fl...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Pit Socket

A 230 V earthed socket outlet installed in the elevator pit for maintenance tools and test...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Proximity Sensor

A non-contact sensor mounted in the elevator shaft or on the car that detects the position...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Push Button

A momentary-contact button in the elevator car operating panel or at a landing call statio...

Indicators & UI

E

Elevator PVC Flooring

A resilient sheet or tile floor covering made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) installed on t...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator QR Code Inspection

The use of QR codes affixed to elevator components or car walls to instantly retrieve main...

Modern Technologies

E

Elevator Rail Alignment

The process of measuring and adjusting guide rail gauge, plumb, and joint step to achieve ...

Guide Rails & Shoes

E

Elevator Rail Fishplate

A steel splice plate bolted across the joint between two consecutive guide rail sections t...

Guide Rails & Shoes

E

Elevator Rail Lubricator

A device mounted on the elevator car frame that automatically applies a controlled film of...

Guide Rails & Shoes

E

Elevator Reed Switch

A magnetically actuated hermetically sealed switch mounted in the elevator shaft or on the...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Relay Board

A PCB or DIN-rail assembly carrying electromechanical or solid-state relays that interface...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Remote Diagnostics

A telemaintenance system that transmits real-time elevator operational data, fault codes, ...

Smart & IoT

E

Elevator Remote Programming

The ability to configure, update, and adjust elevator controller parameters via a secure n...

Remote service

E

Elevator Revision Box

A portable or fixed inspection control device used during elevator maintenance that allows...

Maintenance & Testing

E

Elevator RFID Access

A radio-frequency identification access control system integrated with the elevator that r...

Smart & IoT

E

Elevator Rope

A steel wire rope used in traction or roping systems to suspend and drive the elevator car...

Ropes & Cables

E

Elevator Rope Clamp

A mechanical device that fixes the end of a suspension or governor rope to a structural an...

Ropes & Cables

E

Elevator Rope Lubricator

An automatic device mounted in the elevator shaft or machine room that continuously applie...

Ropes & Cables

E

Elevator Rubber Buffer

A solid elastomeric energy-accumulation device installed in the pit to arrest a descending...

Safety Systems

E

Elevator Safety Act

National legislation that establishes mandatory safety requirements for elevator design, i...

Legal compliance

E

Elevator Safety Upgrade

A modernisation programme that brings an existing elevator into compliance with current sa...

Modernization

E

Elevator Secondary Sheave

An idler or deflection pulley that re-routes hoist ropes to achieve the required roping co...

Traction & Machines

E

Elevator Seismic Bracket

A structural steel bracket that secures guide rails and equipment against lateral seismic ...

Guide Rails & Shoes

E

Elevator Semi Automatic Door

A door system in which opening or closing requires a manual push but is assisted by a spri...

Door Components

E

Elevator Serial Communication Board

A PCB that handles serial data exchange between the main controller, car operating panel, ...

Electronics & Control

E

Elevator Shaft

The enclosed vertical passage through which the elevator car and counterweight travel.

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Shaft Cable Tray

A fixed ladder or perforated steel tray in the hoistway that routes and supports travellin...

Ropes & Cables

E

Elevator Shaft Lighting

Permanently installed luminaires in the hoistway that illuminate the shaft for safe mainte...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Shaft Pressurization

A fire-engineering measure that introduces positive pressure into the hoistway to prevent ...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Shaft Survey

A dimensional measurement campaign that establishes the as-built geometry of a hoistway be...

Installation

E

Elevator Shaft Tolerance

The permissible dimensional deviation of a hoistway from the nominal design geometry speci...

Installation

E

Elevator Shaft Ventilation

Natural or mechanical air exchange in the hoistway that controls heat accumulation and rem...

Shaft & Pit

E

Elevator Shaft Wiring

The fixed electrical conductors, conduits, and junction boxes installed in the hoistway fo...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator Sheave Bearing

An anti-friction rolling-element bearing that carries the radial and thrust loads of a tra...

Traction & Machines

E

Elevator Sheave Shaft

The precision steel spindle on which a deflection or secondary sheave is mounted and suppo...

Traction & Machines

E

Elevator Side Opening Door

A single- or two-panel sliding door that retracts to one side of the door opening rather t...

Door Components

E

Elevator Sill

The aluminium or steel threshold plate fitted at the bottom of both the car entrance and e...

All elevator car entrances and landing e...

E

Elevator Smart Card Reader

A contactless RFID or NFC reader that grants floor access based on credential validation.

Smart & IoT

E

Elevator Smart Retrofit

The addition of IoT sensors, connectivity modules, and remote monitoring to an existing el...

Smart & IoT

E

Elevator Stainless Steel Cabin

A car interior finished in brushed or mirror-polished stainless steel panels for durabilit...

Cabin & Interiors

E

Elevator Surge Protector

A transient voltage suppression device that protects elevator control electronics from lig...

Electrical Systems

E

Elevator Synchronous Motor

A permanent-magnet AC motor that operates at a rotor speed exactly synchronous with the su...

Traction & Machines

E

Elevator Telescopic Door

A sliding door system in which two or more door panels move at different speeds on a commo...

Door System

E

Elevator TFT Display

A thin-film transistor LCD or equivalent digital panel installed in the car or landing to ...

Car Operating Panel

E

Elevator Thermal Relay

An overload protection device in the motor control circuit that disconnects the drive when...

Motor Control

E

Elevator Thimble

A grooved metal insert placed inside a rope loop to protect the wire rope from sharp bends...

Rope termination

E

Elevator Touchless Call

A hands-free call registration system using proximity sensors, gesture recognition, or mob...

Car Operating Panel

E

Elevator Traction

The friction-based driving principle in which the tension difference between the car side ...

All rope traction elevators — the fundam...

E

Elevator Traffic Analysis

The systematic study of passenger demand patterns to evaluate and optimise elevator system...

Building design

E

Elevator Traffic Analysis

The systematic study of passenger demand patterns in a building to determine the optimal n...

New building design

E

Elevator Traffic Optimization

The algorithmic process of assigning elevator cars to hall calls to minimise average waiti...

Group Control

E

Elevator Twin Technology

System with two independent cabins operating in the same hoistway without a counterweight.

Traction elevators

E

Elevator UCM Device

An unintended car movement protection device that detects and stops inadvertent car motion...

Safety Devices

E

Elevator Voice Announcer

An audio announcement system in the elevator car that communicates floor numbers, travel d...

Car Interior

E

Elevator Voice Control

A speech recognition system integrated into the elevator that allows passengers to select ...

Accessibility

E

Elevator Voltage Monitor

A protective relay that continuously monitors the mains supply for undervoltage, overvolta...

Electrical Protection

E

Elevator-as-a-Service (EaaS)

A business model where elevator manufacturers provide lifts, connectivity, maintenance, an...

Business model

E

Emergency Communication System

The two-way voice communication device inside an elevator car connected to a permanently a...

All passenger elevators — mandatory unde...

E

Emergency Evacuation Procedure

The defined procedure for safely removing passengers trapped in an elevator during a power...

Rescue

E

Emergency Lighting

Battery-backed lighting that activates automatically in the elevator car upon mains power ...

Electrical Systems

E

Emergency Lighting (Elevator)

Battery-backed lighting that automatically activates inside the elevator car upon loss of ...

All passenger elevator cars — mandatory ...

E

Emergency Lighting Battery

Battery backup providing car lighting during mains power failure.

All elevator types

E

Emergency Power Lowering

A system that uses battery or capacitor backup power to move a stranded elevator car to th...

Power failure protection

E

Emergency Power Operation

A control mode that allows elevator operation on a backup generator or UPS during a mains ...

Emergency

E

Emergency Power Recall

Automatic sequence returning elevators to a designated floor when mains power fails and em...

Passenger elevators

E

EN 115-1

The European standard specifying safety rules for the construction and installation of esc...

All European escalator and moving walk i...

E

EN 12159

The European standard covering safety requirements for construction hoists—temporary lifti...

Construction site

E

EN 13015

The European standard specifying the minimum requirements for maintenance instructions for...

All lifts placed on the EU market — main...

E

EN 13015 Maintenance Standard

European standard specifying requirements for maintenance of lifts and escalators.

Escalators

E

EN 17206

The European standard covering requirements and test methods for service lifts (dumbwaiter...

Dumbwaiter

E

EN 81-20

The primary European harmonised standard for construction and installation of new passenge...

All new traction and hydraulic lifts pla...

E

EN 81-21

European standard for new lifts in existing buildings where full compliance with EN 81-20 ...

Hydraulic elevators

E

EN 81-28

The European standard for remote alarm systems on passenger and goods lifts, specifying re...

All passenger and goods lifts in occupie...

E

EN 81-28 Remote Alarm

European standard requiring remote alarm systems for passenger entrapment in elevators.

Traction elevators

E

EN 81-3

The European standard specifying safety rules for the construction and installation of ele...

Small goods-only service lifts not acces...

E

EN 81-31

European standard for accessible lifts not intended to carry persons with reduced mobility...

Traction elevators

E

EN 81-40

The European standard specifying safety rules for the construction and installation of sta...

Stairlift

E

EN 81-41

The European standard for vertical platform lifts—low-speed accessibility lifts for person...

Accessibility

E

EN 81-43 (Construction Hoist Standard)

The European standard specifying safety requirements for rack-and-pinion driven constructi...

Building construction sites — temporary ...

E

EN 81-44

The European standard specifying safety requirements for the design, installation, and tes...

Standards and Compliance

E

EN 81-50

The companion standard to EN 81-20 defining type-examination procedures and design calcula...

Lift component manufacturers; notified b...

E

EN 81-58

The European standard for fire resistance testing of landing doors in elevator installatio...

Fire safety

E

EN 81-70

The European standard defining minimum accessibility requirements for lifts serving person...

Public buildings

E

EN 81-71 (Vandal Resistant Lifts)

The European standard defining classes of vandal resistance for elevator equipment, partic...

Elevators in public

E

EN 81-72

The European standard specifying supplementary requirements for firefighters' lifts that r...

High-rise buildings and all buildings wi...

E

EN 81-73 (Behaviour of Lifts in the Event of Fire)

The European standard specifying the default and fire emergency modes of passenger elevato...

All passenger lifts in buildings with fi...

E

EN 81-76

The European standard specifying requirements for the evacuation of disabled persons from ...

High-rise and complex buildings with dis...

E

EN 81-77

The European standard for elevator installations in seismic zones, classifying lifts by se...

Elevator installations in seismic zones ...

E

EN 81-80

The European standard providing rules for the improvement of safety of existing passenger ...

Existing passenger and goods passenger l...

E

Encoder (Elevator Position Feedback)

An electromechanical sensor mounted on the traction machine shaft or governor rope that ge...

All VVVF-controlled elevators — motor sp...

E

Energy Harvesting Elevator

An elevator equipped with regenerative drive technology that captures braking energy and f...

Energy efficiency

E

Energy Saving Mode

An elevator operating state that reduces power consumption during low-traffic periods by d...

Energy management

E

Escalator

A power-driven inclined staircase with continuously moving steps that transports passenger...

Shopping centres

E

Escalator Balustrade

The panel assembly on each side of an escalator that supports the handrail, encloses the m...

All escalator and moving walk installati...

E

Escalator Comb Plate

The toothed metal plate fixed at the upper and lower landings of an escalator whose teeth ...

All escalator and moving walk installati...

E

Escalator Drive Machine

The electromechanical unit comprising a motor, brake, gearbox or gearless drive, and step-...

All escalator installations — primary mo...

E

Escalator Drive Motor

The electric motor that powers the continuous step chain movement of an escalator, typical...

Mechanical Components

E

Escalator Handrail

The continuous loop of rubber or synthetic material driven at the same speed as the escala...

All escalator and inclined moving walk i...

E

Escalator Handrail Drive

The mechanism that drives the escalator handrail at a speed synchronised with the step bel...

Escalator mechanics

E

Escalator Safety Device

Any of the protective mechanisms on an escalator — including comb plate impact switches, s...

Escalator

E

Escalator Safety Devices

The set of mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical protection devices required by EN...

All escalators and moving walks — mandat...

E

Escalator Skirt Panel

The fixed side panels that border the escalator step band, forming the interface between t...

Escalator safety

E

Escalator Step

The individual moving tread-and-riser unit of an escalator that carries passengers between...

All escalator installations — the primar...

E

Escalator Truss

The main structural framework of an escalator that spans between floor levels and supports...

Escalator structure

E

Evacuation Lift

A specially designed elevator certified for use during building evacuation, allowing mobil...

Fire safety

E

Express Zone Control

A control mode where one or more elevator cars skip lower floors and run directly to upper...

High-rise

F

False Call Cancellation

A control system feature that allows passengers to cancel an incorrectly registered car ca...

Traffic efficiency

F

Fascia Plate

A sheet metal panel that closes the gap between the top of the landing door frame and the ...

Hoistway construction

F

Fault Code Display

A diagnostic panel or interface on the elevator controller that shows alphanumeric codes i...

Controller

F

Final Limit Switch

An over-travel safety switch at the top and bottom of the hoistway that cuts the safety ci...

All elevator types — traction

F

Final Terminal Limit Switch

Safety switch that cuts power if the elevator travels beyond the normal terminal limits.

Elevator systems

F

Fire Recall

An automatic or manual elevator operation mode that returns all cars to a designated floor...

All passenger elevator installations in ...

F

Fire Service Mode

A special elevator operating mode activated during a fire that recalls cars to the designa...

Fire safety

F

Fire Service Recall

Elevator operating mode returning cars to a designated floor upon fire alarm activation.

Passenger elevators

F

Fire-Rated Door (Lift)

A lift landing door assembly tested and certified to resist fire and smoke penetration for...

Safety Systems

F

Firefighter Elevator

An elevator designated and equipped for use by the fire service during a building fire eme...

Fire Safety

F

Fireman's Switch (Fire Service Mode)

A key-operated building switch that recalls the elevator to the designated fire evacuation...

All passenger elevators in multi-storey ...

F

Fishplate

A steel splice plate bolted across the joint between two guide rail sections to maintain a...

Guide rail installation

F

Floor Level Sensor

Sensor detecting the elevator car position relative to the landing floor level.

Passenger elevators

F

Floor Selector

A device or software module in the elevator controller that tracks the car's current floor...

Control Systems

F

Freight Elevator

An elevator designed primarily for transporting goods, with a reinforced car structure, hi...

Special Elevators

F

Frequency Converter

An electronic power device that changes the frequency and voltage of the AC supply to cont...

Electrical Systems

F

Frequency Inverter

An electronic drive that controls AC motor speed by varying the frequency and voltage of t...

Traction motor control

F

Full Collective Control

An elevator control mode that registers all hall calls without directional discrimination ...

Low-traffic residential and service lift...

F

Full Load Test (Load Test)

A commissioning and periodic inspection test in which the elevator is loaded to its rated ...

All elevators at commissioning and perio...

G

Gearbox (Worm Gear Traction Machine)

The mechanical speed-reduction unit in a geared traction elevator that couples the AC indu...

Existing and new low-to-medium speed ele...

G

Gearless Traction Machine

A direct-drive elevator motor where the drive sheave is mounted directly on the motor shaf...

High-rise passenger elevators

G

Gearless Traction Machine

A direct-drive elevator motor where a permanent magnet synchronous motor drives the tracti...

New traction elevator installations from...

G

Goods Elevator

An elevator designed and rated for the vertical transport of heavy loads, goods, and vehic...

Warehouses

G

Goods Lift (Freight Elevator)

An elevator designed primarily for the transport of goods, with a rated load typically fro...

Warehouses

G

Governor Rope

A continuous wire rope loop running between the overspeed governor sheave in the machine r...

All traction elevators fitted with overs...

G

Governor Rope Replacement

Procedure for replacing a worn or damaged speed governor rope.

Traction elevators

G

Governor Rope Tension

Required tension in the governor rope to ensure reliable overspeed detection.

Traction elevators

G

Governor Tension Sheave

A weighted or spring-loaded lower pulley that maintains constant tension in the overspeed ...

Mechanical Components

G

Governor Testing

A mandatory periodic test that verifies the overspeed governor trips at the correct speed ...

All traction elevators equipped with ove...

G

Green Elevator Design

The engineering approach to minimising elevator energy consumption and environmental impac...

All elevator installations — energy effi...

G

Ground Fault Interrupter

A protective device that monitors leakage current between live conductors and earth in ele...

Electrical Systems

G

Group Control System

A centralised dispatching system coordinating two or more elevators sharing the same bank ...

Office towers

G

Group Controller

The supervisory traffic management system that co-ordinates multiple elevators in a bank t...

Multi-car elevator groups in commercial

G

Group Supervisory Control

Control system managing multiple elevators as a coordinated group to optimise traffic hand...

Elevator systems

G

Guide Rail

Steel T-section tracks fixed inside the hoistway that keep the elevator car and counterwei...

All elevator types

G

Guide Rail Bracket (Rail Fixing / Rail Clip)

A steel bracket bolted to the hoistway wall structure that supports and fixes the elevator...

All elevators — hoistway wall interface ...

G

Guide Rail Brackets

The structural steel brackets bolted to the hoistway walls or building structure at regula...

All elevator hoistways — structural conn...

G

Guide Rail Clip Bolt

The high-tensile bolt and nut assembly used to fasten guide rail clips to hoistway bracket...

Mechanical Components

G

Guide Rail Joint

Connection between successive guide rail sections in the hoistway.

All elevator types

G

Guide Shoe

A sliding or rolling element attached to the car and counterweight frames that maintains c...

All traction and hydraulic elevators

G

Guide Shoe Replacement

Maintenance task replacing worn sliding or roller guide shoes on the elevator car or count...

Traction elevators

H

Hall Call

A passenger request for elevator service registered at a landing by pressing an up or down...

All elevator installations in multi-stor...

H

Hall Call Assignment

Algorithm that assigns landing calls to the most suitable elevator car.

Passenger elevators

H

Hall Call Button

The landing-mounted push button that passengers use to request an elevator, indicating the...

All elevator installations at every serv...

H

Hall Call Panel (HCP)

The landing push-button station outside the elevator doors that allows waiting passengers ...

All elevator landings — passenger call i...

H

Hall Call Registration

The process of recording a passenger's floor request made by pressing an up or down button...

Landing interface

H

Hall Effect Sensor

A magnetic position sensor used to detect the presence of vane plates or magnets in the el...

Levelling

H

Hall Lantern

A visual signal device mounted at each landing above or beside the elevator doors that ill...

All multi-car elevator groups and EN 81-...

H

Hall Lantern LED

LED-based hall lantern indicating elevator arrival direction at landing.

Passenger elevators

H

Hall Position Indicator

A display at each landing showing the current floor position of the elevator car, helping ...

Passenger information

H

Handling Capacity

The percentage of a building's total population that an elevator group can transport in a ...

Elevator system sizing for all building ...

H

Headroom (Top Clearance)

The vertical distance from the top landing floor level to the underside of the hoistway ce...

All elevator types

H

High-Rise Elevator

An elevator system designed for buildings exceeding 100 m in height, incorporating special...

Super-tall and ultra-tall buildings abov...

H

Hoistway (Shaft)

The enclosed vertical space in a building containing the elevator car, counterweight, guid...

All building-installed elevators

H

Hoistway Access Door (Emergency Door / Inspection Door)

A lockable door fitted in the hoistway wall that provides emergency or maintenance access ...

Multi-shaft installations and hoistways ...

H

Hoistway Design (Elevator Shaft Design)

The structural engineering and dimensional specification of the elevator shaft, including ...

New building construction — elevator sha...

H

Hoistway Lighting

Permanent lighting installed throughout the elevator hoistway for maintenance access.

All elevator types

H

Hoistway Pressurisation

A fire safety strategy that maintains positive air pressure in the elevator shaft to preve...

Fire safety

H

Hoistway Survey

A systematic measurement and inspection of the elevator shaft dimensions, plumb, structure...

Installation & Maintenance

H

Hoistway Vent

An opening or mechanical ventilation device that removes heat, smoke, and stale air from t...

Installation & Maintenance

H

Home Lift

A low-speed, limited-travel elevator designed for installation within a private residence ...

Private residences for mobility assistan...

H

Hospital Elevator

A large-capacity elevator designed for healthcare environments to transport patients on be...

Acute hospitals

H

Hydraulic Cylinder Replacement

The major maintenance procedure of removing and replacing the hydraulic ram or cylinder in...

Installation & Maintenance

H

Hydraulic Elevator

An elevator type that uses a hydraulic jack driven by a pump and pressurised oil to raise ...

Low-rise residential

H

Hydraulic Jack (RAM / Plunger)

The hydraulic cylinder and piston assembly that generates the lifting force in a hydraulic...

Hydraulic elevators — primary lift actua...

H

Hydraulic Oil Change

Maintenance procedure replacing degraded hydraulic fluid in a hydraulic elevator system.

Hydraulic elevators

H

Hydraulic Power Unit

The pump-motor-valve assembly that generates and controls the oil flow driving a hydraulic...

Low-rise hydraulic elevators (up to 6 fl...

H

Hydraulic Rupture Valve

A safety valve on a hydraulic elevator that automatically closes if the flow rate exceeds ...

Hydraulic safety

I

Elevator Intercom System

A two-way voice communication system connecting the elevator car to a monitoring station o...

Emergency communication

I

Independent Service Mode

An operating mode that removes an elevator from group control and allows a dedicated user ...

Hospitals

I

Independent Service Mode

Control mode that removes an elevator from group dispatch and places it under single-user ...

Passenger elevators

I

Instantaneous Safety Gear

A safety device that engages the guide rails in a single sharp action to stop a falling ca...

Low-speed freight elevators

I

IoT Connectivity (Connected Elevator)

The integration of internet-of-things sensors, cloud connectivity, and data analytics plat...

Modern elevator installations — remote m...

I

IoT Elevator

An elevator integrated with Internet of Things sensors and cloud connectivity to enable re...

New installations and modernised elevato...

I

IoT Elevator Sensor

Wireless or wired sensor devices installed on elevator components to capture real-time ope...

Remote monitoring

I

IoT in Elevators

The integration of internet-connected sensors, edge computing, and cloud platforms into el...

Modern elevators in commercial

I

ISO 25745

The international standard series for measuring, calculating, and grading the energy perfo...

New and existing elevators globally — es...

I

ISO 4190

An international standard defining installation dimensions, performance parameters, and pl...

Building design

I

ISO 4190-2

The international standard specifying dimensions and requirements for electric traction li...

Standards and Compliance

I

ISO 8100-1

International standard for passenger and goods passenger lifts, equivalent to EN 81-20.

Hydraulic elevators

I

Isolation Transformer

A transformer with no electrical connection between primary and secondary windings, used i...

Electrical Systems

L

Landing Door

The hoistway-side door at each floor that forms a fire-rated barrier and opens only when a...

All elevator types serving multiple floo...

L

Landing Door Inspection

Periodic check of landing doors for alignment, locking, and safety contact integrity.

Passenger elevators

L

Landing Door Interlock Mechanism

A combined electrical and mechanical safety device on each elevator landing door that prev...

All elevators — each landing door — mand...

L

Landing Door Lock

A mechanical locking device on each floor landing door that prevents the door from being o...

Door safety

L

Landing Door Panel

The visible door leaf or leaves at each floor opening that seal the hoistway and move with...

Mechanical Components

L

Landing Door Sill

The threshold profile fixed at the floor level of each landing that guides the landing doo...

Landing doors

L

LED Car Lighting

Energy-efficient LED luminaires providing interior illumination of the elevator car.

All elevator types

L

Levelling

The elevator control function that brings the car floor to an exact alignment with the lan...

All elevators — levelling accuracy is an...

L

Levelling Accuracy

The precision with which an elevator car stops with its floor level aligned with the landi...

All elevator installations — accuracy of...

L

Lift Analytics Platform

A software platform that aggregates elevator operational data to provide actionable insigh...

Building management

L

Lift Installer Certification

Formal qualification recognising an individual as competent to install elevator systems to...

All elevator types

L

Lift Remote Monitoring

A system that continuously transmits elevator operational data to a central monitoring cen...

24/7 monitoring

L

Lift Risk Assessment

A systematic process to identify hazards associated with an elevator installation, evaluat...

Elevator design

L

Lift Traffic Forecast

An AI-driven prediction system that analyses building occupancy patterns to anticipate ele...

Modern Technologies

L

Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU

The European Union directive harmonising safety requirements for lifts and safety componen...

All lift installations in EU member stat...

L

Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU

The European Union directive establishing essential health and safety requirements for new...

All new lifts and safety components plac...

L

Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU

European Union directive governing the safety requirements and market placing of new lifts...

Traction elevators

L

Lighting Circuit Breaker

Overcurrent protection device for elevator lighting circuits.

All elevator types

L

Lighting Transformer

A step-down transformer that supplies safe extra-low voltage (typically 12 V or 24 V SELV)...

Electrical Systems

L

Linear Motor Elevator

Ropeless elevator propelled by a linear induction motor built into the hoistway.

Traction elevators

L

Load Bypass

An elevator control feature that directs a fully-loaded car to skip registered hall calls ...

Traffic efficiency

L

Load Sensor Device

Sensor measuring the weight inside the elevator car to manage dispatching and overload det...

Passenger elevators

L

Load Weighing Device

A sensor system measuring the weight of passengers in the elevator car to prevent overload...

All passenger elevators

L

LOLER

The UK Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998, requiring thorough exami...

All lifts in workplaces

M

Machine Beam

The structural steel beam in the machine room that supports the traction machine, providin...

Machine room

M

Machine Brake (Electromechanical Brake / Traction Machine Brake)

An electromechanical spring-applied, electrically-released brake mounted on the elevator m...

All traction elevators — primary electro...

M

Machine Learning Dispatch

A dispatch algorithm using trained machine learning models to improve elevator assignment ...

Group control

M

Machine Room

A dedicated enclosed space above or below the hoistway housing the traction machine, contr...

Conventional traction elevators

M

Machine Room Air Conditioning

HVAC system maintaining temperature and humidity in the elevator machine room.

All elevator types

M

Machine Room Beam

Structural beam supporting the hoist machine and sheaves in the machine room.

Traction elevators

M

Machine Room Ladder

A fixed access ladder providing safe entry to the elevator machine room or overhead space ...

Installation & Maintenance

M

Machine Room Ventilation

The controlled air exchange system in an elevator machine room designed to maintain the te...

All elevator machine rooms — EN 81-20 te...

M

Machine Room-Less Elevator

A traction elevator design where the drive machine, controller, and associated equipment a...

Low-to-mid-rise residential

M

Machine Room-Less Elevator (MRL)

A traction elevator design in which the drive machine, control panel, and governor are rel...

Low and medium-rise buildings — space-sa...

M

Machine Room-Less Modernisation

The process of converting an existing machine-room lift to a machine room-less configurati...

Modernisation

M

Machine Roomless Hydraulic Lift

Hydraulic elevator with HPU inside the hoistway, eliminating the separate machine room.

Hydraulic elevators

M

Machine Roomless Lift

A traction elevator design where the drive machine and control equipment are installed wit...

Low and mid-rise buildings

M

Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC

The EU directive governing the safety of machinery, including certain lifting equipment su...

CE marking

M

Main Contactor (Line Contactor)

The heavy-duty electromechanical switch in the elevator control panel that connects and di...

All elevator control systems — primary p...

M

Main Switch (Elevator)

The isolating switch in the elevator machine room or main control panel that disconnects t...

All elevator installations — mandatory i...

M

Maintenance Contract

A formal service agreement between a building owner and a lift maintenance company definin...

Service management

M

Microprocessor Controller

An elevator control system based on a programmable microprocessor that manages all dispatc...

Control systems

M

Mobile App Elevator Control

A smartphone application that allows passengers to register elevator calls, select destina...

Smart building

M

Modular Elevator

A prefabricated elevator system in which all major components — hoistway structure, car, m...

New-build residential and commercial ins...

M

Motor Control Centre (MCC)

A centralised electrical panel housing the motor starters, drives, protection devices, and...

Machine room

M

Motor Control Panel

A dedicated electrical enclosure housing the drive, contactors, protection relays, and saf...

Electrical Systems

M

Motor Encoder

A rotary sensor mounted on the traction machine shaft that provides real-time speed and po...

All VVVF-controlled traction elevators

M

Motor Encoder

Rotary encoder mounted on the hoist motor shaft providing speed and position feedback.

All elevator types

M

Motor Overload Relay

Protective relay that detects and responds to motor overload conditions.

Traction elevator drive systems

M

Motor Starter

An electrical device that controls the starting, stopping, and protection of the elevator ...

Drive system

M

Motor Temperature Sensor

A thermal sensor embedded in the elevator traction motor windings that monitors temperatur...

Traction machine

M

Moving Walk

A horizontally or slightly inclined continuously moving conveyor surface for transporting ...

Airports

M

Moving Walk Pallet

The individual flat platform element of a horizontal or inclined moving walk that carries ...

All horizontal and inclined moving walk ...

N

Noise & Vibration Test

A measurement procedure assessing elevator car noise levels and vibration during normal op...

Ride quality

N

Normal Terminal Stopping Device

A switch that stops the elevator car at or near the terminal landings under normal operati...

Terminal floors

N

Notified Body

An independent certification organisation designated by an EU member state to conduct conf...

All new lift installations in the EU mar...

N

Notified Body Certificate

An official document issued by an accredited EU Notified Body confirming that an elevator,...

Standards and Compliance

N

Nudging (Elevator Door)

A door control feature that, after a defined period of the door being held open by a passe...

All passenger elevator door systems — do...

O

Oil Buffer (Hydraulic Energy-Dissipation Buffer)

A hydraulic device installed in the elevator pit beneath the car and counterweight that us...

All elevators with rated speed >1 m/s — ...

O

Over-Pressure Valve

An additional valve in hydraulic elevator systems that provides a secondary safeguard agai...

Hydraulic elevator

O

Overhead Clearance (Headroom)

The vertical distance from the highest landing floor level to the ceiling of the hoistway,...

All elevators — hoistway design paramete...

O

Overload Device

A sensor system that prevents the elevator from moving when the load in the car exceeds th...

All traction elevators — mandatory EN 81...

O

Overload Protection

A safety feature that prevents elevator departure when the car load exceeds the rated capa...

Safety Systems

O

Overspeed Governor

A centrifugal safety device that trips when elevator car speed exceeds rated limits, activ...

Passenger elevators

O

Overspeed Governor Rope

The rope connecting the overspeed governor to the safety gear, transmitting the mechanical...

Safety gear

O

Overspeed Governor Test

Periodic test verifying that the speed governor trips at the correct overspeed threshold.

Traction elevators

P

Panoramic Elevator

An elevator with a glass car and/or glass hoistway walls that allows passengers an unobstr...

Hotels

P

Parking Floor

The designated floor to which an elevator returns automatically after a period of inactivi...

Traffic management

P

Passenger Elevator

An elevator designed and constructed specifically for the transport of persons, complying ...

Passenger Transport

P

Peak Service Mode

An operational mode that maximises elevator dispatching efficiency during high-traffic per...

Control Systems

P

Performance-Based Specification

An elevator procurement approach that defines required outcomes and measurable performance...

Procurement

P

Periodic Inspection Certificate

An official document issued by an authorised inspection body certifying that an elevator h...

Legal compliance

P

Periodic Maintenance

Scheduled servicing of an elevator at defined intervals to preserve safe operation, verify...

All installed elevators — EN 13015 frame...

P

Periodic Re-Inspection

Scheduled safety inspection of an in-service elevator carried out at legally mandated inte...

All elevator types

P

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor

A type of AC synchronous motor using permanent magnets embedded in the rotor to generate t...

Modern MRL traction elevators — the stan...

P

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)

A synchronous AC motor using rare-earth permanent magnets in the rotor that achieves high ...

MRL elevators

P

Phase Failure Relay

A protective relay that monitors three-phase power supply and disconnects the elevator if ...

Motor protection

P

Phase Sequence Relay

An electrical protection relay that monitors the order and presence of the three phases of...

All three-phase elevator installations —...

P

Photovoltaic-Powered Lift

Elevator system powered wholly or partly by solar photovoltaic energy.

Modern elevator systems

P

Pit

The space at the bottom of the hoistway below the lowest landing sill that accommodates bu...

All elevators requiring a floor pit bene...

P

Pit Access Ladder

Fixed ladder providing safe entry and exit to the elevator pit.

Passenger elevators

P

Pit Channel

A structural steel channel fixed to the pit floor to which buffer bases, guide rail bracke...

Pit

P

Pit Depth

The vertical distance from the lowest landing floor level to the bottom of the elevator pi...

All elevators — hoistway design paramete...

P

Pit Depth Requirement

Minimum pit depth below the lowest landing for safe elevator operation.

Passenger elevators

P

Pit Inspection Control

The mandatory control station located in the elevator pit that allows maintenance engineer...

All elevator pit installations — mandato...

P

Pit Inspection Panel

A control panel located in the elevator pit enabling technicians to operate the lift at re...

Pit maintenance

P

Pit Ladder

A fixed metal ladder permanently attached to the elevator pit wall allowing maintenance pe...

All elevators with pit depth exceeding 0...

P

Pit Lighting Outlet

Fixed lighting and socket outlet installed in the elevator pit for maintenance.

All elevator types

P

Pit Presence Detection

A safety device that detects the presence of a person in the elevator pit and prevents car...

Pit safety

P

Pit Safety Rail

A fixed handrail or guardrail in the elevator pit that provides a safe handhold and fall p...

Safety Systems

P

Pit Stop Button

Safety switch in the elevator pit that stops all car movement when activated.

All elevator types

P

Pit Stop Switch

A manually operated safety switch in the elevator pit that opens the safety circuit to pre...

All elevator types with an accessible pi...

P

Pit Waterproofing

Construction measures applied to the elevator pit to prevent water ingress that could dama...

Pit

P

Platform Lift

A low-rise lifting device designed primarily for wheelchair users and people with mobility...

Heritage buildings

P

Plumb Alignment

The process of aligning elevator guide rails, sills, and hoistway components exactly verti...

Guide rail installation

P

Plumb Bob Alignment

Technique using a weighted plumb line to establish vertical reference for guide rail insta...

All elevator types

P

Plumb Line Alignment

The use of plumb bobs or laser plumb devices to establish true vertical reference lines fo...

Installation & Maintenance

P

Position Encoder

A sensor device that converts elevator car position into electrical signals, enabling prec...

Control Systems

P

Power Factor Correction

Capacitor banks or active filters installed in elevator electrical systems to improve the ...

Energy management

P

Power Supply Unit (Elevator)

A regulated DC power supply within the elevator controller that provides stable low-voltag...

Electrical Systems

P

Pre-Opening of Doors

A control feature that begins opening the elevator car and landing doors while the car is ...

VVVF traction elevators — time-saving fe...

P

Predictive Analytics for Elevators

The application of data analysis and machine learning to elevator operational data to fore...

Condition-based maintenance

P

Predictive Maintenance

A data-driven maintenance strategy using real-time condition monitoring to detect impendin...

High-use commercial and hospital elevato...

P

Predictive Maintenance AI

Artificial intelligence system that forecasts elevator component failures before they occu...

Traction elevators

P

Preferential Landing

A control feature that automatically returns an elevator car to a designated floor when it...

Control systems

P

Pressure Relief Valve

A hydraulic safety valve that limits maximum system pressure to protect the cylinder and h...

Hydraulic elevator

P

Progressive Safety Gear

A safety device that applies gradually increasing clamping force on guide rails, limiting ...

Passenger elevators above 1.0 m/s

R

Compensation Chain

A chain or rope hung beneath the elevator car and counterweight to compensate for the chan...

Traction balance

R

Rack-and-Pinion Lift

A vertical transportation device that uses a gear pinion on the car engaging a fixed verti...

Construction hoists

R

Rail Bracket

A steel fixing bracket welded or bolted to the hoistway structure that supports guide rail...

All elevator installations requiring gui...

R

Rail Bracket Spacing

Vertical distance between guide rail brackets fixed to the hoistway wall.

Passenger elevators

R

Rail Clip

A steel fastening device that secures elevator guide rails to the rail bracket without wel...

Guide rail installation

R

Rail Fishbolt

A bolt and nut fastener used to join adjacent guide rail sections via a fishplate, ensurin...

Mechanical Components

R

Rail Gauge

A precision measurement tool or specified dimension used to verify the correct spacing bet...

Installation & Maintenance

R

Rated Load

The maximum net load in kilograms that an elevator is designed, built, and certified to ca...

Every elevator — rated load is the prima...

R

Rated Load Capacity Plate

A mandatory information plate fixed permanently inside the elevator car displaying the rat...

All passenger and goods passenger elevat...

R

Rated Speed

The nominal speed in metres per second at which an elevator is designed and tested to trav...

Every elevator — rated speed is the fund...

R

Re-levelling (Automatic Levelling)

The automatic slow-speed correction of the elevator car floor position relative to the lan...

Traction and hydraulic elevators — autom...

R

Recall Operation

Emergency mode that returns all elevator cars to a designated floor upon fire alarm activa...

Passenger elevators

R

Regenerative Drive

A VVVF drive with active front-end rectifier that returns motor braking energy to the buil...

High-use passenger elevators

R

Regenerative Drive Elevator

An elevator system equipped with a regenerative variable-frequency drive that returns brak...

Energy efficiency

R

Releveling

An automatic control function that corrects minor floor-level discrepancies caused by rope...

All traction and hydraulic elevators

R

Remote Elevator Software Update

Over-the-air (OTA) delivery of firmware or software updates to elevator controllers and dr...

Modern Technologies

R

Remote Software Update (Elevator)

The delivery of controller firmware, drive parameters, or feature activations to an instal...

Modern Technologies

R

Residual Current Device

A protective switch that disconnects the circuit when it detects current leaking to earth,...

Electrical protection

R

Ride Quality Monitoring

The continuous measurement of elevator car vibration, levelling accuracy, door timing, and...

Predictive maintenance

R

Roller Guide Shoe (Roller Guide)

A car or counterweight guide assembly using spring-loaded or elastomer-damped polyurethane...

Medium and high-speed elevators (≥1.5 m/...

R

Rope Anchor (Rope Hitch / Rope Termination)

The mechanical assembly at the end of each hoist rope that secures the rope to the car fra...

All traction elevators — each hoist rope...

R

Rope Brake

A secondary braking device that grips the elevator's suspension or compensating ropes to s...

MRL elevators

R

Rope Brake Device

Mechanical device that clamps the suspension ropes to stop the car in an emergency.

Traction elevators

R

Rope Compensation System

A system of ropes or chains hanging beneath the elevator car and counterweight that equali...

Traction elevators with rise >30 m

R

Rope End Termination

A fitting at each end of a suspension or governor rope that anchors it securely to the car...

All traction and hydraulic elevators

R

Rope Equalisation

The procedure of adjusting suspension rope tensions so that all ropes carry an equal share...

Suspension ropes

R

Rope Equalizer Bar

Device that distributes load equally among multiple hoist ropes.

Traction elevators

R

Rope Gripper

A safety device that clamps the suspension ropes to halt the elevator car as part of the u...

UCMP

R

Rope Hitch Plate

A structural steel plate at the top of the hoistway or machine room from which suspension ...

Mechanical Components

R

Rope Shackle

Adjustable hitch fitting connecting the hoist rope terminal to the car or counterweight su...

Traction elevators

R

Rope Socket

A termination device that anchors the end of a wire rope to the elevator car or counterwei...

Wire rope termination

R

Rope Tension Equaliser

A device fitted to the suspension rope terminations to distribute load equally across all ...

Rope termination

R

Rope Tension Equalizer

A device at rope termination points allowing individual adjustment of each suspension rope...

All multi-rope traction elevators at com...

R

Rope Termination

The mechanical device at each end of a suspension rope that secures the rope to the car cr...

All traction elevator rope systems — sec...

R

Roping Ratio

The mechanical arrangement of suspension ropes between the car, counterweight, and drive s...

All traction elevator design — roping ra...

R

Round Trip Time

The calculated time for a single elevator car to depart from the main terminal floor, serv...

Elevator system design and traffic analy...

S

Sabbath Mode

A special elevator operating mode designed to meet religious observance requirements, stop...

Religious observance

S

Safety Circuit

A series-wired electrical loop that must remain closed for the elevator to run; any safety...

All elevator types — traction

S

Safety Circuit Test

Functional verification that all safety devices in the elevator safety chain operate corre...

Passenger elevators

S

Safety Gear

A mechanical device clamped beneath the car that grips the guide rails to stop a free-fall...

All traction elevator types

S

Safety Gear Housing

The structural casing that encloses and mounts the safety gear mechanism to the car frame ...

Safety gear

S

Safety Gear Lever

Mechanical linkage transmitting governor rope pull to actuate the safety gear.

Traction elevators

S

Safety Gear Test

Mandatory test verifying that safety gear correctly stops and holds the car at overspeed.

Traction elevators

S

Safety Gear Test Procedure

The defined sequence of steps to test elevator safety gear engagement at rated speed, veri...

Safety gear

S

Safety Gear Types (Progressive vs Instantaneous)

The classification of elevator safety gear into two main types based on their stopping cha...

All elevator installations — safety gear...

S

Safety Plank

Mechanical stop device preventing the car from descending into the pit during maintenance.

Traction elevators

S

Safety Relay (Elevator)

A hardwired or electronic relay that monitors the elevator safety circuit and prevents the...

All elevator control systems — electrica...

S

Seismic Design for Elevators

The application of earthquake-resistant design principles to elevator installations, requi...

Elevator installations in seismic hazard...

S

Seismic Elevator Design

Elevator engineering and control provisions that ensure the installation can withstand or ...

Buildings in seismically active zones — ...

S

Seismic Operation

An elevator operating mode activated during or after an earthquake that safely parks the c...

Earthquake safety

S

Seismic Sensor

A vibration detection device that triggers elevator shutdown and returns cars to the neare...

Earthquake protection

S

Seismic Shutoff Valve

A valve in hydraulic elevator oil circuits that automatically closes upon detection of sei...

Safety Systems

S

Seismic Switch (Earthquake Sensor)

A vibration sensor that detects seismic ground motion and commands the elevator to immedia...

All elevators in seismic zones — Japan

S

Selective Collective Control

An elevator control mode that registers both up and down hall calls and serves them in the...

Single-car passenger elevators in reside...

S

Sheave Lagging

A polyurethane or rubber lining applied to the traction sheave groove to increase rope gri...

Traction maintenance

S

Sheave Pin

A precision-machined steel shaft on which a rope sheave or pulley rotates, transmitting lo...

Mechanical Components

S

Sill Brush

A nylon or polypropylene brush strip fitted along the edge of the car or landing door sill...

Mechanical Components

S

Simplex Control

A basic elevator control mode for a single elevator serving all floors sequentially withou...

Single elevator

S

Single Car Control

Basic elevator control system managing one car independently.

All elevator types

S

Slack Rope Device

A safety device that detects slack in the suspension or compensation ropes and stops the e...

Rope system

S

Slide Guide Shoe

A guide shoe with a replaceable sliding liner that contacts the guide rail directly, used ...

Low-speed lifts

S

Sliding Guide Shoe (Gibs / Liner Guide Shoe)

A guide assembly using a replaceable polymer or bronze liner that slides along the guide r...

Low to medium speed elevators (up to ~1....

S

Sling Bolt

High-strength bolt fastening the car platform to the car sling frame.

Passenger elevators

S

Smart Building Integration

The connection of elevator systems to the broader building management ecosystem, including...

BMS

S

Smart Building Integration

The connection of elevator systems to building management platforms enabling coordinated c...

BMS integration

S

Soft Starter

An electronic device that gradually increases voltage to a motor at start-up to reduce mec...

Motor starting

S

Solar-Powered Lift

An elevator system that uses photovoltaic panels or solar energy as its primary or supplem...

Modern Technologies

S

Speed Governor Rope

The wire rope that connects the elevator speed governor to the car safety gear, transmitti...

Overspeed protection

S

Spring Buffer (Energy-Storage Buffer)

A coil-spring mechanical device installed in the elevator pit beneath the car and counterw...

Elevators with rated speed ≤1 m/s — pit ...

S

Stairlift

A motorised chair or platform that travels along a rail fixed to the staircase to transpor...

Private residences

S

Step Chain (Escalator)

The pair of high-tensile roller chains attached to both sides of every escalator step, for...

All escalator installations — primary dr...

S

Step Demarcation Light

Illuminated strips on escalator step edges that highlight the boundary between adjacent st...

Escalator safety

S

Surge Arrester

A protective device installed in elevator electrical panels that limits voltage spikes fro...

Electrical Systems

S

Suspension Rope

High-strength wire rope connecting the car and counterweight over the drive sheave, transm...

All traction elevators

S

Suspension Rope Replacement

The planned or condition-based renewal of elevator suspension and governor ropes when wear...

All traction elevators — scheduled maint...

T

Template Installation

The use of precision-cut wooden or steel templates to position and fix guide rail brackets...

Installation & Maintenance

T

Tension Sheave

The weighted or spring-loaded sheave at the bottom of the hoistway that keeps the compensa...

High-rise and medium-rise traction eleva...

T

Terminal Landing Switch (Slowdown Switch)

A hoistway control device installed near the top and bottom terminal landings that signals...

All traction and hydraulic elevators — h...

T

Third-Party Audit

Independent inspection of an elevator installation by an accredited body not involved in i...

All elevator types

T

Third-Party Inspection

An independent technical examination of an elevator by a qualified inspection body that is...

Standards and Compliance

T

Thorough Examination

The periodic in-depth inspection of an elevator installation by a competent person to ensu...

All lifts in the UK carrying persons or ...

T

Time-of-Day Control

A scheduling feature in the elevator controller that automatically changes operating modes...

Control Systems

T

Toe Guard (Apron)

A rigid vertical panel beneath the car sill that prevents passengers from stepping into th...

All elevator types with horizontal slidi...

T

Touchless Destination Selection

System enabling passengers to register their destination floor without pressing physical b...

All elevator types

T

Touchless Elevator

An elevator equipped with gesture, voice, or proximity-based controls that allow passenger...

Hygiene

T

Touchless Elevator Control

A contactless call and destination input system using gesture recognition, proximity senso...

Public buildings

T

Traction Machine Brake

Electromechanical brake integral to the hoist machine that holds the car stationary.

Traction elevators

T

Traction Ratio

The ratio of the tension in the rope on the loaded side (car side or counterweight side, w...

All traction elevator designs — fundamen...

T

Traction Sheave Groove

The machined groove profile on the drive sheave surface that grips the elevator wire ropes...

Drive system

T

Traction Sheave Replacement

Procedure for replacing a worn traction sheave on the hoist machine.

Traction elevators

T

Traffic Analysis

The systematic measurement and evaluation of elevator usage patterns to assess service qua...

Building management

T

Travel Height (Rise)

The total vertical distance travelled by the elevator car from the lowest served landing t...

All elevators — primary installation par...

T

Traveling Cable

The flexible multi-conductor cable that connects the fixed wiring in the hoistway to the m...

Hoistway wiring

T

Travelling Cable

A flexible multi-conductor cable that hangs between the elevator car and a fixed junction ...

All traction and hydraulic elevators

T

Two-Way Communication

A voice communication system installed in the elevator car enabling trapped passengers to ...

Emergency rescue

T

Type Examination

A conformity assessment procedure in which a Notified Body evaluates elevator designs, dra...

Standards and Compliance

T

Type Test Certificate

A document issued by a testing laboratory or Notified Body confirming that an elevator com...

Standards and Compliance

U

Unintended Car Movement (UCM) Protection

A safety system that detects and stops any unintended movement of the elevator car away fr...

All new passenger and goods passenger el...

U

Unintended Car Movement Protection

Safety system preventing or stopping unintended car movement away from a landing with door...

Passenger elevators

U

Unintended Car Movement Protection

A safety system that detects and arrests uncontrolled elevator car movement away from a la...

Safety systems

U

Unintended Car Movement Protection

A safety function that detects and arrests any uncontrolled movement of the elevator car a...

All new traction elevator installations ...

U

Up-Collective Control

An elevator control mode in which car calls and hall calls for upward travel are collected...

Control Systems

U

Up-Peak Intensity

A traffic analysis metric expressing the percentage of the building population transported...

Control Systems

U

UPS for Elevators

An Uninterruptible Power Supply system connected to an elevator installation to provide ba...

All elevators where automatic rescue cap...

V

Vacuum (Pneumatic) Elevator

A lift system that moves the car by creating a pressure differential above and below the c...

Residential home lifts — self-contained ...

V

Variable Frequency Drive

An electronic power converter that controls elevator motor speed by varying the frequency ...

Drive system

V

Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

An electronic drive that controls motor speed and torque by varying the frequency and volt...

Traction machine

V

Variable Voltage Variable Frequency Drive (VVVF)

An electronic drive that controls elevator motor speed by continuously varying both voltag...

All modern traction elevators

V

VDI 4707 (German Elevator Energy Efficiency Guideline)

A German engineering guideline published by the VDI (Verein Deutscher Ingenieure) that def...

Elevators in German-speaking markets and...

V

Vertical Transportation Planning

The engineering discipline of designing and sizing elevator and escalator systems to meet ...

Building design

V

Vibration and Noise in Elevators

The mechanical and acoustic disturbances generated by elevator operation, including car bo...

All elevator installations — ride qualit...

V

Voice-Controlled Elevator Interface

A hands-free elevator control system that registers floor calls and commands via voice rec...

Accessibility

W

Wedge Socket

A rope termination device in which a wedge grips the rope inside a tapered socket, providi...

Rope termination

W

Wire Rope Inspection

Periodic examination of suspension and compensating ropes for wear, corrosion, and broken ...

Traction elevators

W

Wire Rope Lubrication

The application of lubricant to elevator suspension and governor ropes to reduce internal ...

Rope maintenance

W

Worm Gear Traction Machine

A geared elevator drive using a worm-and-wheel gear reduction to increase torque from an A...

Low-to-mid-rise residential and commerci...

Z

Zone Control

A group control strategy that divides a high-rise building into vertical zones and assigns...

High-rise