Lifts are wonderful for everyday use, thanks to all the conveniences they provide for vertical mobility. However, they aren't perfect. Lack of maintenance or other external causes can cause problems. Therefore, knowing common lift breakdowns is essential to avoid unpleasant moments.
Identifying common problems is essential to ensure proper operation and user safety. Read our guide to discover the most common lift breakdowns.
Main lift breakdowns and their causes
Failures in the electrical and electronic system
Power supply problems are common in lifts and arise for a variety of reasons. They usually occur due to power outages that disrupt the operation of their systems. However, they can also occur due to wiring failures or failures in the electronic control unit.
These common lift breakdowns have a variety of consequences, from erratic operation to complete inoperability.
For this reason, it is necessary to implement an appropriate security system and perform preventive maintenance periodically.
Problems with the lift doors
Lift doors are prone to malfunctions both when opening and closing. These problems occur due to sensor wear and dirt buildup. In some cases, knocks and vibrations also cause problems with door operation.
Ignoring door maintenance is one of the main causes of operational problems. However, these common lift breakdowns can occur due to external causes, such as rail obstructions.
Wear of cables and pulleys
With daily use and a lack of basic maintenance, lift cables and pulleys are exposed to deterioration. This can lead to poor performance, causing jams or complete shutdowns. These components suffer wear for the following reasons:
- Constant tension and friction that produces corrosion.
- Excessive weight loads that accelerate deterioration.
- Lack of lubrication that increases wear.
- Misalignment of the pulleys due to constant vibrations.
It's important to note that environmental conditions can also cause these common lift failures. The accumulation of moisture and dust directly affects the lifespan of these components.
Errors in the leveling system
The lift's leveling system is crucial for maintaining optimal performance. It facilitates user entry, especially for those with disabilities. Therefore, system errors can impair the lift's daily use. The main causes of these failures are:
- Frequently exceeding the maximum weight load that the lift can support.
- The age of the lift and the frequency of daily use.
- Lack of maintenance on the main parts of the lift.
- Loss of pressure after several days of parking.
By calibrating the sensors and checking the brakes, it's possible to prevent these common lift failures. Proper lubrication is another key factor in preventing errors with the leveling system.
Engine and drive system failures
As one of the main components of every lift, motor failures are noticeable from the start. These usually manifest themselves through sudden starts or stops. Motor failures arise due to voltage fluctuations, short circuits, overheating, among other common causes.
In the case of the traction system, malfunctions produce strange noises and interrupted movement. They can also cause the lift cables to break. Corrosion and lack of lubrication are the main causes of these common lift breakdowns.
Failures in safety and braking systems
Problems with safety systems are among the most dangerous a lift can face. These include safety gears, speed limiters, and overload sensors. They also affect the lift's door detection systems and brakes.
These malfunctions occur for a variety of reasons. Mainly, difficulties with the electrical connection. However, they can also occur due to overloading and breakage of the traction cables.
With proper maintenance, it's possible to avoid these common lift breakdowns, especially since many occur due to component wear.
How to prevent lift breakdowns?
Avoiding problems with a lift requires caution and responsibility in its use. By being cautious and following the manufacturer's recommendations, your lifts will operate efficiently for years. To prevent breakdowns, follow these tips:
- Ensure that tenants respect the maximum number of passengers and the maximum weight load.
- Do not force the lift to open or block the automatic closing mechanism of its doors.
- Do not throw objects into the lift shaft, as this can cause problems.
- Avoid sudden movements or jumping when you are inside the lift.
- Don't forget preventative maintenance to avoid common lift breakdowns. By hiring a professional service to examine lift components, you'll be able to detect and prevent potential failures.
If you want more information about this, we recommend reading the article: How to Take Care of a lift?
What to do if a lift breaks down?
If your lift has any of the aforementioned problems, the first thing you should do is call a professional. With specialized assistance, identifying and fixing the problem is a simple process. This way, you'll prevent the problems from getting worse and ending up costing you more money in the long run.
However, the situation changes if you're inside the lift when the breakdown occurs. In such a situation, try to remain calm and not give in to despair. Just press the emergency button and wait for professionals to assist you.
At Eleva Balear we are specialists in lifts
With our services here at Eleva Balear, you won't have to worry about common elevator breakdowns. We take care of the lift maintenance in Mallorca so that they function optimally. As a company lift operator in Palma de Mallorca, we are your ideal ally to avoid problems when traveling.
Contact us to receive specialized care and discover the different ways we can help you.
