Definition of elevator terminology

elevator for home use: According to building codes, a residential (or home) elevator is designed for private residences such as single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments serving a single household.

drive system: The mechanism that controls the direction and speed of the elevator car and its passengers. Types of drive systems used in home elevators include:

pneumatic vacuum elevator (PVE): A turbine, operating as an exhaust fan, draws air from the top of the cylinder to create a vacuum, causing the sealed elevator car to rise. During descent, air is introduced in a controlled manner, allowing the car to move downward smoothly by gravity. No cables, chains, or hydraulic jacks are used during operation. PVE is the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient elevator on the market. It is also among the most reliable, requiring minimal maintenance.
chain-driven: A gear-and-chain mechanical drive that uses a counterweight to balance the weight of the elevator car, making it highly efficient.
hydraulic: Also known as hydraulic elevator, uses a hydraulic jack or plunger beneath the platform, along with cables, to raise and lower the car.
drum-winding: Also known as cable drum, a gear-driven machine with suspension cables wound around a rotating drum.

hoistway: Also known as a shaft, it is the vertical passage through the floors that houses and guides the elevator car. Note: Traditional chain-driven traction, hydraulic, and drum-winding elevators typically require a hoistway and most require a pit, but pneumatic vacuum elevators do not require either a hoistway or a pit.

hoistway door: Also known as access door, refers to the door from the room opening into the hoistway.

landing: The point at each floor where the elevator stops and opens.

car: Also known as cab, it is the part of the elevator in which people ride.

car door: The door is essentially the entrance to the elevator car and moves with the car. Some elevators may have doors or openings on one, two, or three sides.

car door interlock: A safety device that prevents the elevator from operating unless the car door is locked in the closed position; mechanically prevents the car door from being opened from inside the car unless the car is within the door zone and has stopped.

automatic door operator: Also known as automatic door, an electromechanical device used to open and close the car door automatically.

nudge close: When the elevator system is equipped with an automatic door operator, if the elevator door remains open longer than the preset time, an audible and/or visual signal is activated, reducing the speed and torque of the door closing.

running space: The gap between the landing sill and the car sill (typically 1 1/4 inches).

sill: A grooved flat metal fitting over which the door tracks slide at the landing or car door entrance.

call station: Also known as remote station or corridor station, it is the button located at each landing that people press to "call" the elevator to that floor.

controller: The enclosure containing the electrical control circuits of the elevator.

car operating panel (COP): The control panel inside the elevator car, containing buttons and switches that allow passengers to send calls and commands to the elevator.

automatic car light: Also known as emergency car light, a battery-powered light inside the elevator car, typically LED, that turns on automatically when the elevator is in use and turns off after a preset delay timer.

interlock: A critical safety mechanism that reduces the risk of someone falling into the hoistway.

emergency battery lowering (EBL): An emergency power source used during power outages to lower the elevator to a landing and activate the interlock, allowing occupants to exit safely.

home return device: A mechanism that sends the elevator to a designated landing when not in use.

alarm button: A button inside the elevator car that triggers an audible alarm outside the elevator. If remotely monitored, pressing this button also activates a connection allowing passengers to communicate with monitoring services.

alarm delay time: The duration for which the home elevator alarm button must be pressed before the alarm is triggered. Useful in preventing accidental activation.

machine room (MR): A small room typically built adjacent to the elevator hoistway (at any level) to house the drive system and electrical control panel. Note: Not all traditional elevators require a machine room, and PVE elevators do not require one.

machine-room-less (MRL): MRL elevators have their drive system fully integrated within the hoistway, eliminating the need for a separate machine room.

overhead: The clearance required above the top of the elevator car. Measured from the finished floor of the top landing to the lowest obstruction at the top of the hoistway.

pit: Located at the lowest landing, the pit provides clearance for supporting components beneath the elevator car, allowing the car floor to align level with the lowest floor. In most cases, the pit is formed by penetrating the top of the building's foundation. Not all elevators and installations require a pit. Vacuum elevators never require a pit.

car guide rails: Metal tracks that guide the movement of the elevator car within the hoistway.

handrail: A horizontal bar installed on the interior side walls of the elevator car, providing passengers with support and balance.

brake: An electromechanical device that prevents the elevator from moving when the car is stopped or when power is cut.

traveling cable: Also known as multi-conductor cable, it transmits power and signals from the controller to the car, running from the bottom to the top of the hoistway. It provides power and communication to the car while maintaining safety circuit connections.

load capacity: Also known as rated load, refers to the total weight the elevator is designed to carry.