Power Electronics and Electric Drives for Traction Applications

8 Elevators

Ana Escalada and Gonzalo Abad

8.1 Introduction

In this chapter, elevators from an electric and electronic point of view are studied. Hence, first of all, a general description of the elevator is carried out, providing insight about relevant aspects such as: elevator’s definition, their classification, their technical parameters, their main components, and a study of the elevation system. After that, as with the previous three chapters, the physical aspects of the elevator are described. This allows us to model the elevator dynamics enabling further analysis for design, dimensioning, control, and many other purposes.

Then, the electric core of the elevator is described (i.e. the electric drive in charge of controlling the movement of the elevator). Details of the power electronic conversion system are provided, together with the electric machine, the control strategy, the brake, and an exercise showing how the electric drive can be dimensioned, and then a computer‐based simulation example is investigated. Finally, some specifics about elevators are briefly introduced: standards and norms, door opening and closing mechanisms, rescue systems, and traffic. To conclude, as with other chapters, a summary of the technology employed by the most representative elevator manufacturers is carried out, together with a short history of the evolution of the elevator as well as a discussion of future trends.

8.2 General description

8.2.1 Definition

An elevator (in some ...