Elevator Maintenance

Building owners can steer clear from equipment failures just by being proactive about their elevator’s performance issues. For example, a slow elevator ride not only presents a bottleneck for office productivity, but it is also a sign of an impending breakdown, which itself leads to excessive downtime. Behind the scenes, a poorly running elevator exhibits signs of overheating and excessive power usage, which increases your energy bill. Today, we would like to inform you about the most frequently reported elevator issues and some proven solutions.

1) Worn Sheaves
In order to avoid the elevator hoist rope from getting damaged, sheaves must be re-grooved or replaced. This is because sheaves, when worn, place a greater amount of wear on the ropes. Worn ropes in turn can also damage sheaves, so this is a destructive pattern that needs to be addressed. There are tools available that when used with a straight edge will help you perform a visual check on the grooves to verify that they are wearing evenly.

2) Power failure
The elevator is among the most power-hungry equipment in a commercial building. Changes to the incoming voltage can negatively impact elevator operation, and even damage it. If your elevators have a history of motor failure, it would be highly advised to inspect the power quality. One easily implementable solution is to use an infrared thermometer to measure abnormal temperature changes, which will identify potential problem parts before they turn into costly widespread issues. For examples, fuses that are overheating can be easily detected well before any motor damage occurs. Power failures that occur unexpectedly during operation can lead to harrowing experiences for riders, who will remain trapped in the elevator until help arrives.

3. Contamination
When parts get worn, metal particles get dispersed, which can then interfere with the functioning of the elevator. For instance, if you find bronze material in the gear case oil, that may be an indication of the crown gear being worn out. Similarly, aluminum material in the hydraulic tank could mean that the pump housing is worn out. The oil needs to be thoroughly analyzed for various contaminants to detect where the contamination might be stemming from.

4. Bearing malfunction
Did you know that the majority of all motor failures are the result of bearing malfunction? One culprit is the variable frequency drive, which results in decreased energy usage from your motor, but it presents a downside: they emit currents that encourage bearing malfunction through increased vibrations within the motor.

We can address this issue from two different angles: First is to use an inductive absorber to negate these harmful currents, which may completely prevent unforeseen service outages related to motor failure. Another actionable tip is to verify that all the grounds are property connected; this will put an end to the electrical disturbances that short circuit the elevator’s electrical system.

5. Misaligned motor drive
This happens to be another very common elevator malfunction, and one which should not be overlooked, as shaft alignment plays a crucial function in an optimally functioning elevator. The motor drive alignment, when left unchecked, runs the risk of causing bearing malfunction. Any misalignment can be picked up using laser powered measuring devices.

At BROOKLYN ELEVATOR SERVICE, we work tirelessly to ensure your tenant & visitor safety so that you can focus your energies on the other vital building operations. We keep your elevators humming along and free from unexpected service outages, while also prioritizing safe operation. If you are experiencing any issues with your elevators, reach out to us at your earliest convenience (347) 835 4009. We look forward to utilizing our expertise to solve your elevator challenges quickly and professionally.