A compact refrigerant-cycle or thermoelectric cooling unit installed in the elevator cabin ceiling or rear wall to maintain a comfortable cabin temperature during high-ambient or high-traffic conditions.
Full Definition
Elevator cabin air conditioners are a niche but growing specification in Middle East, South Asian, and high-rise hotel markets where ambient shaft temperatures can exceed 45°C. Compact vapour-compression units (typically 500–2500 W cooling capacity) use inverter-driven compressors for variable-capacity operation and quiet running (≤42 dB(A) at 1 m). The refrigerant circuit is split: the evaporator unit is inside the cabin and the condenser rejects heat into the hoistway; some systems use a water loop to a building chiller. Power is supplied from the car lighting circuit (single-phase 230 V, 10–15 A). The unit must not reduce cabin headroom below EN 81-20 minimums (minimum 2000 mm clear), and air discharge must avoid blowing directly onto the control panel or intercom. Maintenance includes filter cleaning, refrigerant charge verification, and condenser coil cleaning every 6 months.
