Elevator Vibration and Noise: ISO 18738-1 Ride Quality, EN 81-20 55 dB, Drive Harmonics, Guide Shoe Sources and Commissioning Measurement

Elevator vibration and noise affect passenger comfort and are a frequent source of complaints. Key parameters and limits: (1) Horizontal car body vibration — measured in the frequency range 1–80 Hz; EN 81-20 has no direct limit but industry guidance (ISO 18738-1) specifies ≤100 milli-g for 'good' ride quality in the 4–8 Hz range; (2) Vertical acceleration (jerk) — EN 81-20 limits rated acceleration to achieve a comfortable ride; ISO 18738-1 specifies jerk ≤2.0 m/s³ for good comfort; (3) In-car noise — EN 81-20 requires ≤55 dB(A) during travel; (4) Machine room noise — typically 60–75 dB(A) for PMSM gearless machines; older geared machines up to 80–90 dB(A). Primary noise and vibration sources: (a) Drive — PWM switching frequency harmonics (typically 3–12 kHz) transmitted to motor; mitigated by dv/dt filters, chokes; (b) PMSM cogging — periodic torque ripple at multiples of pole-pair frequency; mitigated by motor winding design and skewing; (c) Guide shoes — worn or poorly aligned guide shoes generate vibration from guide rail imperfections; roller guides smoother than sliding shoes; (d) Door operator — door closure impact noise; (e) Rope resonance — suspension rope lateral resonance in high-rise buildings; (f) Counterweight hitting guide rails — if counterweight balance is wrong. Commissioning vibration measurement using accelerometers per ISO 18738-1 is best practice.

View All Terms