Summary of Learnings

I. Notes
a. Elevator Functions

Phase 1 essentially recalls elevator to the main level. If main level had the alarm, it recalls
the elevator to the next level. No hall calls are allowed. Door closes forcefully unless
otherwise pushed open with force. Once closed, elevators go down to the main level. Phase
2 allows the operation of the car to any floor. Doors are opened and closed with constant
pressure, and pressure should be maintained until fully opened or fully closed, otherwise if
it was released in the middle of movement, it will just go back to its previous state.

Hoist way access brings the car up and down with a key. It is normally located either at the
main level or at the top level. This is helpful for a lot of tests and for inspection purposes.

Nudging timers prevent the doors from being open for long periods of time. Code states
around 20 seconds.

Putting an elevator on automatic mode means energizing your INS and INX relays, although
other companies use it the other way around.

Hitting the first limit (slow down) signifies the leveling zone. The second (normal) limit
prevents operation in one direction and only allows movement in the other direction. Final
limit shuts down the elevator and cuts off power to the motor. For high-speed applications,
an elevator may need more than just one slow down limit, but regardless, functionality will
remain the same.

Rope grippers restrict unintended car movement.

Door operators are programmable. There is an HMI dedicated to configuring the door
operator. It usually has a manual associated with it.

Yaskawa drives are straightforward drives. These controls the frequency of the motor. These
also indicate when to run, and which direction it should run in. Tuning is crucial.

Alarm, fan and light gets its power from the 120VAC supply which is separate from the main
power supply. Emergency lighting and fan turns on once LFT is not energized, since it runs in
series as a normally closed contact.

For our standard controllers, CP1L collects information from the sensors, and CJ contains the
functionality of the elevator itself while using information gathered from the CP1L as
feedback.

b. Maintenance and Service

There are different types of tasks for elevator maintenance and are subdivided into 3-month
tasks, 6-month tasks, and 12-month tasks. Hydraulic elevators have 1-month tasks, which is
to check oil tank level and recording oil usage. Tasks are divided to different letters
accordingly and follow a schedule upon when they should be checked. It is important to still
check for other things even if it is not in schedule in order to prevent issues should they
arise.

Willie usually marks each component he replaces with a date to track the changes he has
made in addition to writing them down on the MCPs. We did this when we replaced the
battery in a UPS that had no power. His previous battery was last dated 2017, which he only
found out when he tried finding the marking.

Tank levels for hydraulic elevators should always be consistent. If oil is lower even by an inch
or half-inch, stop operation of the elevator until leak has been identified. Anything that
compromise the safety of the elevator should immediately be repaired, replacement should
be considered if deemed necessary.

Always make sure wires can be identified properly, and if it has no numbers, mark them. We
did this when Willie replaced the door operator board, which he had to re-wire accordingly.

Willie taught me that in a service call, he always checks any mechanical issues first, and then
moves on to electrical issues. When we were troubleshooting the strange operation of the
door at Etobicoke, he first checked the torque of the door, which was good in his case. He
then proceeded with checking the interlocks and other mechanical factors, which were still
good. He then proceeded with checking the electrical contacts. He then figured that it was
the door operator board which was the fault. He replaced the board.

Willie and John showed me the effects of bad contacts and how to clean and maintain such
contacts. They also showed me how to identify these contacts accordingly. They taught me
how to troubleshoot Otis controllers in a basic sense.

John Peacock taught me how to hook a door. He also taught me how to perform recall
testing. We practiced a few times during his maintenance.

Mac taught me how to trace drawings when replacing components during the door operator
replacement. The functionality of the door remains the same, the only thing that matters is
how we send signals to the opening and closing of the door. This was helpful since I can now
comprehend which does which when reading old elevator schematics.

I was able to learn how to setup a door operator from John Barnes. It is important to follow
the measurements accordingly and make the necessary adjustments when the parts are too
long or too short. In his case, the holes he drilled were custom made since the other parts
were longer than expected. He also made sure that the cables were run in a tidy way and
would not interfere with other mechanisms of the door operator. He also taught me how to
connect the door interlocks and the important measurements to consider. An inch from the
side of the elevator car to the edge of the door should be a good distance.

John Peacock tested emergency lighting and closing force. He also did clean of the car top.
He showed me how to lubricate the rails. There was a time the elevator was making too
much noise, so we went inside the pit to find out what was going on.

John Peacock showed me how to test for emergency communications. It was pretty easy,
but it was interesting since I have never seen it before. We did this after the recall test.

Elevators have a service mode which essentially only allows the operation of the car inside
the car and does not allow hall calls. This is different from inspection mode.

John showed me how to operate an old elevator from 888 Yonge Street. This had
mechanical doors, magnetic accelerators, enormous sheaves and machines. This one is a
drum type.

I was able to see a flooded pit with Don the other day. He explained to me the reason why
some of them happen and what to consider. It is important to clean the mess first and then
identify which components were affected.

c. Hoisting

I was able to see the hoisting procedures of an elevator controller and machine with a crane
alongside Michael and Jerry. Circling a finger up top means HOIST. Arms extended while
moving hands rapidly left and right means EMERGENCY STOP. MOVE SLOWLY is the same as
hoist except that there is another hand on top of the circling finger. LOWER is the same as
hoist except that you point the finger down. STOP is one arm extended while moving hand
right and left. PAUSE is putting hands together in front of body.

It is also important to maintain two-way communications with the crane operator. I was
able to see this with Jerry and how he handled the hoisting procedure accordingly.

d. Personal Notes

There are a lot of old technologies, and it is important to develop a fundamental

understanding of electrical theory in order to figure out which part to replace. Don taught
me a lot about electrical circuits that I was not aware of. I reviewed myself on fundamental
electronics and electricals, mainly on inductance, capacitance, DC motors, AC motors, and
transistors. It was helpful in order to understand how everything comes together.
 Equipment should be inspected and certified per manufacturer recommendations. Ensure
that all equipment is in good working condition.

I learned that there should always be two pairs of relays (UP, UPX for example) by law, for
backup in case one fails. I am now able to comprehend our standard traction prints better
than I did. Working with the controller at the shop helped me do this. I can troubleshoot a
little better.

I learned that there are a lot of standards and codes for machine rooms. There are prints to
be followed when installing barricades. It is important not to block access to the fuse
disconnects.

Programming the 87 Scollard Street job helped me obtain a sense of how to put all the
sensors together. I realized that there were a lot more components and functionality I
needed to integrate in the case of a traction elevator, which I had not done in my first
program.

Visiting the field and actual elevators helped me bring together the functionality of an
elevator. From program to the actual elevator.

There is an enormous amount of data we must monitor in order to ensure the functionality
and safety of an elevator. Redundancy testing is crucial to the safety of elevator passengers.

II. Safety

a. General

Procedures should always be done with precaution. It is important to be fully aware of

moving hazards, unexpected movement, power sources, use of jumpers, tripping hazards,
safety signs, live circuits, open hoist ways, and proper utilization of power tools.

It is extremely important that the RIGHT tool is used for every procedure. This saves a whole
lot of time and a whole lot of energy. (Willie)

It is important to invest in good tools. Use insulated equipment.

Took the EDM-T Safety Course, which was very useful for me especially when visiting
buildings and dealing with high power machinery.

b. Safety Circuit
 i. Up Final Limit – mechanically operated switch located at top of elevator hoist
way. In the event car travels more than preset distance and actuates up final
limit, power is cut off to the motor.
ii. Down Final Limit – mechanically operated switch located at bottom of elevator
hoist way. In the event car travels more than preset distance and actuates down
final limit, power is cut off to the motor.
iii. Pit Stop Switch – stop switch located in the pit area. Normally closed switch that
opens the safety circuit when triggered.
iv. Safety Switch – located below the car. This is a safety mechanism that works
together with the governor overspeed. Triggers when rated speed exceeds, or
during free-fall or rope stretch.
v. Emergency Exit Contact – this is the hatch located at the top of the car. Cuts off
power when opened.
vi. Car Top Stop Switch – stop switch located above the car. Normally closed switch
that opens the safety circuit when triggered.
vii. Phase 2 Stop Switch – stop switch used by firemen. Usually associated with
phase 2 operation.
viii. In Car Keyed Stop Switch – stop switch located in the elevator car. Accessible to
passengers. This is actuated with a key, but this can be bypassed by EM and BR.

III. Terms and Definitions

Line Reactor – protects equipment from input power disruptions. Line side is prone to
surges and harmonics. Line reactors are placed to stabilize these currents when VFDs are being
used.

RFI Filters – protects devices from unwanted frequencies that can disrupt operation.

VFD – type of motor controller that drives electric motor by varying frequency and voltage.

Governor – stopping device in case elevator runs beyond rated speed.

Counterweight – counterbalances the weight of an elevator. Helps maintain proper traction.

Hoisting machine – hoist ropes pass over drive sheave.

Buffer – designed to stop descending car beyond normal limit. Either spring buffer or oil
buffer.

Rope Gripper – prevents unintended movement and resists overspeed of moving car.

Brake Controller – regulates DC voltage being fed to the brake.

Sheaves – holds that hold elevator cables. Responsible for traction and offsets cables where
needed.

DC Motor – converts DC electrical energy to mechanical energy. Utilizes commutators,

actuators, brushes (but can be brushless too), etc.
 AC Motor – converts AC electrical energy to mechanical energy. Factors such as frequency,
three-phase power, number of pole pairs are considered.

Generators – creates DC power by turning DC generator with AC motor.

Crosshead – upper member of frame.

Stiles – vertical members that interconnects crosshead with safety plank.
Safety plank – This contains the safety and is at the bottom of the car.
Brace rod – supports the platform and securing car it in position.
Platform isolation – vibration-absorbing material.
Hitch plate – where the shackles and ropes are attached to.
Toe guard – fall protection in case car stops above landing.
Interlock – holds door in place and prevent door from being opened when elevator is
currently in uses. Elevator operates when interlock is engaged.
Door operator – system that allows passenger to enter and exit elevators by controlling
door. This is integrated to the elevator door and can be programmed accordingly to what is
needed.
Detector Edge – has a transmitter and a receiver at the sides of the elevator door. Infrared
signals. Opens door when there is disruption between transmitter and receiver.
Safety Edge – mechanically operated device mounted at side of door that opens door when
actuated. Protects the passenger from door closure while entering the car.
Car Rollers/Guide Shoes – Support element of the elevator car which runs along the rails.
Guide Rails – steel rails that serve as support. Main structure of elevator which runs
alongside the hoist way. Guide rails are also important for security and comfort of travel.
Runby – clearance between bottom of counterweight and buffer. It is important to clearly
define the amount of runby or clearances needed to avoid the car from striking the top.
Selector – rotating copper disc with a vertical bar on the back. Meets relays according to its
position.
Travelling Cables – multi-conductor link between the car and controller. Power and signal
information is transmitted all through the travelling cable.
Position indicator – placed outside and inside elevator to show current position. This is
required by law in modern code.
Compensator sheave – designed to provide tension as elevator car travels. Guides the
compensation ropes.
Overhead space – clearance between top of the car and upper ceiling. Required in order to
protect mechanic working on top of car.
LULA elevator – Limited Use, Limited Application elevators which provides solutions for
those who need accessibility in low rise commercial buildings.
Valve – device controlling passage of fluid through pipe.
Pump – mechanical device that moves fluids