A safety device that engages the guide rails in a single sharp action to stop a falling car, permitted only at rated speeds up to 1.0 m/s.
Full Definition
Instantaneous safety gear clamps the guide rails in one abrupt action without progressive force build-up. This results in high deceleration forces (potentially exceeding 1 g), which is acceptable for freight or low-speed service lifts where structural robustness outweighs ride comfort concerns. EN 81-20 §5.6 restricts instantaneous gear to rated speeds at or below 1.0 m/s. Two variants exist: roller-type instantaneous gear (slightly more gradual) and wedge-type (very abrupt). After activation the car structure must be inspected for deformation before return to service.
