Elevator Motors and Their Applications

Elevator Motor Overview

Elevators are part of everyday life. They make living and working in high-rise buildings possible. They're also an important component in several industries. Elevators are able to lift and lower thanks to electric motors.

Residential and commercial hydraulic and traction lift elevators use AC and DC elevator motors. These motors are broken down into three categories. Each has different advantages and capabilities over the others. Following is an outline of these elevator motor systems and their real-world applications.

Hydraulic Elevator Pump Motors

You'll find hydraulic elevator pump motors in elevator systems like:

• Hydraulic pump passenger elevators
• Service elevators
• Freight elevators
• Dumbwaiter low rise elevators

These systems feature open frame construction and can travel at speeds up to 200 feet per minute (FPM).

Submersible Hydraulic Elevator Pump Motors

Low-rise elevator systems use submersible hydraulic elevator pump motors. They power applications in hydraulic passenger, service, and freight elevators. These types of motors are rated for intermittent duty and they travel at speeds up to 200 FPM.

VVVF (Variable Voltage Variable Frequency) Traction Elevator Hoist Motors

Traction elevators move faster and more efficiently than hydraulic lifting systems. In these systems, a counterweight offsets the weight of the cab box. The offset weight decreases the load on the motor, making this system more energy efficient.

Traction elevator motors also include two distinct types, geared and gearless.

Geared Traction Elevators

These elevators use a worm gear reducer attached to the motor. The reducer drives the hoisting sheave.

Gearless Traction Elevators

This elevator type has a wheel mounted on the motor shaft. A drive controls the motor speed. Because of the motor drive combination, these motors can travel at speeds up to 500 FPM.

Tips and Reminders for Motor Efficiency

When choosing an elevator motor, consider factors like building height and weight considerations. In low- to mid-rise buildings, hydraulic motors may be more cost-efficient. However, in a high-rise building, a VVVF traction hoist motor will be ideal because of speed. Selecting the right motor will help reduce downtime in installation and repairs.

For more on hydraulic systems, traction, and submersible elevator motors reach out to one of our commercial motors experts below.