A
Automatic Gate Operator – An electromechanical device that opens and closes the car gate automatically.
B
Backup Battery – An emergency power source that will allow you to lower the elevator to the next lower level in the event of a power failure.
C
C.O.P. – The Car Operating Panel (C.O.P.) is the control panel inside the elevator that houses the floor buttons, the light switch, the alarm button, the emergency stop switch and optional key lock.
Calling the Elevator or Call Button – Pressing the call button in the hallway will “call the elevator” to you, if the elevator is not in use and/or is located on a different level.
Car – Cab or finished portion of the elevator in which people ride.
Car Gate – Door or gate that is connected to the car and travels with the car.
Controller – The controller houses the electrical control circuits of the elevator.
D
Drive System – The drive system is the power and strength behind lifting the elevator car and its passenger(s). Fox Valley Elevator (formerly Waupaca Elevator) utilizes two types of drive systems, winding drum and roped hydraulic.
Dumbwaiter – Is a self contained car that is lowered and raised on a vertical path. Fox Valley (formerly Waupaca) dumbwaiters can carry loads from 50 lbs. to 500 lbs. depending on the model chosen. Load examples may be fireplace wood, grocery bags, laundry and paperwork.
E
Electromechanical Interlocks – Electrically wired lock in the hoistway door that prevents the door from opening when the elevator is not stopped at the landing. The elevator will not run unless all doors are closed.
G
Gate – The gate is a door that attaches to the outer edge of the elevator or dumbwaiter car. It prevents objects inside the car from coming into contact with objects outside of the car during travel. Gate styles include
H
Hall Station – The Hall Station refers to the panel located outside the elevator doorway in the hallway that houses the call button.
Hoistway – An opening through a building or structure for the travel of elevators. Also called the elevator shaftway.
Hoistway Doors – The hoistway door allows access to the hoistway and is prevented from opening unless the elevator is stopped and waiting at that particular landing.
Home Elevator – A home (or residential) elevator is an elevator primarily designed for the needs of private residences and multi-family housing such as townhomes and condominiums.
Hydraulic (Roped) – This drive system utilizes a hydraulic jack and a wire rope to raise and lower.
J
Jack (Hydraulic) – A unit consisting of a cylinder equipped with a plunger or piston which applies the energy provided by a liquid under pressure.
L
Landing – A term used to describe each floor on which the elevator will open.
M
Machine Room – This is a room constructed adjacent to the elevator hoistway to accommodate the drive system and electrical control box.
Machine Room-less – Since the drive system is located on top of the rail in the hoistway. The Control box is located nearby but does not require a separate room.
Muntz – Muntz is the name given to the bronze tone finish on the hall stations and car operating panel.
O
Overhead Clearance – This is the clearance needed to accommodate the components on top of an elevator car. It is measured from the upper level floor to the lowest obstruction at the top of the hoistway.
P
Pit – Portion of a hoistway extending from sill level of lowest landing to the floor at the bottom of the hoistway. The pit provides clearance for the support components that are below the floor of the elevator car allowing the elevator floor to level with the door opening.
Pneumatic Elevator – an elevator that derives its lifting power through the use of a vacuum in an airtight tube.
R
Rail – The rail is the steel track that guides the elevator when it travels up and down the hoistway. Depending on the model there may be one or two rails.
Residential Elevator – A residential (or home) elevator is an elevator primarily designed for the needs of private homes and multi-family housing such as townhomes and condominiums.
Roped Hydraulic – A drive system utilizing a hydraulic jack connected to the car wire ropes or indirectly coupled to the car via wire ropes and sheaves.
S
Service Disconnect – Located near the controller in the machine room, the service disconnect is the main electrical power switch to the elevator.
Sheave – A pulley.
Sling – L-shaped heavy-duty metal support that the elevator car rests on. The sling travels up and down, carrying the elevator car.
W
Weight Capacity – Is the total amount of weight that can be added to the elevator. For safety purposes, never exceed the elevator cars weight capacity.
Winding Drum – A geared drive machine in which the suspension ropes are fastened to and wind on a rotating drum.
