Tips and How to Choose an Elevator Motor

The elevator motor is recognized as the primary factor in the operation and movement of the elevator; without a motor, the elevator does not move. Moreover, its type significantly affects the performance and quality of the elevator. Therefore, selecting the elevator motor plays a key role in purchasing and choosing the appropriate elevator. Below, along with introducing the best elevator motors, factors are mentioned that can help you identify and select the elevator motor.

What is an Elevator Motor?

The elevator motor is recognized as the primary factor in the operation and movement of the elevator; without a motor, the elevator does not move. The elevator motor, as a generating force, provides conditions for the movement and displacement of the elevator. Moreover, its type significantly affects the performance and quality of the elevator.

Types of Elevator Motors:

What makes choosing an elevator motor somewhat difficult is encountering various types of motors. As you know, the design and manufacture of the motor can be done by domestic or foreign companies. Consequently, each of them has different capacities, qualities, and prices. All of these factors ultimately affect the useful life of the elevator.

Pneumatic, traction, and hydraulic are three methods of implementing and installing today's elevators, among which traction has the most application in choosing the appropriate elevator. But why? Traction elevators have characteristics that prioritize them not only for low-rise buildings but also for tall complexes. However, the electric motor of traction elevators is divided into several categories, among which gearless and geared (gearless) have the most applications, which we will introduce later.

Elevator Gearbox Motor

In elevators equipped with a machine room, this type of motor is used. The gearbox motor consists of several main components such as the gearbox, gearbox pulley, and brake connected to each other. The brake mentioned is of the disc type, which leads to the wear of brake shoe linings.

If we want to make a small comparison between the gearbox motor and gearless motor for selecting the elevator motor, we should say that the gearbox motor has a lower price, and consequently, with the decrease in price, the motor's efficiency also decreases.

As a result, the initial cost of the gearbox motor is low; however, contrary to the initial cost, it has high maintenance and repair costs. Based on the electric motor used inside the gearbox motor, it can be said that gearboxes are produced in two types of single-speed motors (VVVF) and two-speed motors (AC2):
- Single-speed gearbox (VVVF)
- Two-speed gearbox (AC2)

Single-Speed Gearbox (VVVF)

The power transmission element in a single-speed elevator motor is the gearbox. The question here is, what does it mean to be single-speed? You may have experienced using elevators where you don't notice much acceleration or deceleration; it's good to know that the motor in these elevators is a single-speed gearbox. This motor moves slowly, and before stopping at floor level, the brake reduces its speed. Therefore, if we were to plot a graph for its speed, it would be a curve.

Two-Speed Gearbox (AC2)

The two-speed gearbox is another option in selecting an elevator motor. If you easily notice the movement and stopping of the elevator when using it, it means its motor is a two-speed gearbox. The speed of this motor increases rapidly at the beginning of the elevator's movement and decreases approximately 30 centimeters before reaching floor level.

As a result, the speed graph is linear and accelerating. Interestingly, to reduce the intensity of the vibrations caused by the elevator's initial acceleration or its stopping, a heavy metal wheel called a flywheel is connected to the motor, ultimately making the elevator's movement smoother. However, it should be noted that these vibrations somewhat lead to a decrease in the durability and lifespan of elevator components and, on the other hand, increase power consumption costs.

Gearless Elevator Motor

This motor operates without a gearbox and does not require a machine room. With these interpretations, power transmission is carried out through direct coupling to the motor shaft. The motor's iron core is permanent and powerful, and compared to geared motors, it is more power-efficient. Therefore, its presence is essential for office buildings and high-speed elevators. Moreover, the technology used in gearless motors is more advanced than geared ones. For example, the presence of a regulator in the stator field circuit along with variable resistance leads to smooth acceleration until reaching the final speed. Then the stator frequency remains constant until the speed decreases.

The reduction in speed and ultimately stopping the cabin is also done by an induction switch set, and the use of brakes is only for when the cabin is stationary. Due to the absence of a gearbox, the size of this motor is smaller than geared motors, making it easier to install. All of these factors together make the gearless motor have a special position in the selection of elevator motors. However, it should be noted that these advantages lead to a doubling of the price of gearless motors compared to geared ones, although the cost of maintenance and repairs is lower.

Necessary Factors for Choosing the Best Elevator Motor

There are various factors that paying attention to them can greatly help you in choosing the elevator motor. Here are some important factors:

• Choosing the elevator motor based on power.
• Selecting the geared motor based on capacity and power.
• Choosing the gearless motor based on capacity and speed.

Choosing Elevator Motor Based on Power

One of the most important characteristics that create distinction and difference between motors and ultimately elevator performance is motor power. The number of floors in the building and cabin capacity must be taken into account when determining the power of the elevator. Higher heights and more floors require the use of high-speed motors. Below, you can see in the motor selection table a group of domestic and foreign-made motors along with their power.
 

Choosing Gearbox Motor Based on Capacity and Power

Another influential factor in selecting an elevator motor is the capacity of the cabin and the elevator itself. Generally, it's important to consider how much capacity the elevator in your building requires. For example, in office complexes or medical buildings, the capacity of elevators is greater than that of a 5-story building, meaning a more powerful motor with higher power is needed. Below, you can see some gearbox motors along with their capacity and power.
 

Selecting a gearless motor based on capacity and speed

Gearless motors, due to their new technology and lower maintenance costs, are among the first options to consider when choosing an elevator motor. So, it's better to take a look at the necessary criteria for selecting a gearless motor through the motor selection table right now.
 

Which company should you buy the elevator motor from?

Throughout this article, you became familiar with motors from various brands; some of them are domestic, and others are imported. Well, now the issue arises as to which brand to trust. To address your concerns, we provide a brief introduction to several established companies, enabling you to confidently select an elevator motor.
- Alco
- Behran
- Yaran
- Alkamp
- Sassi
- Italy

Elevator motors from domestic companies

Below, we introduce you to the most important Iranian brands of elevator motors.

- Alco

Alco can be considered one of the most successful brands in Iran in producing elevator motors, as it faces very stiff competition with its foreign competitors and has so far been successful in satisfying its customers. Producing the best elevator motors in various dimensions, resilient and of high quality, compatible with the country's climate, are among the noticeable features in each of their produced products.

- Behran

Behran is one of the most famous brands producing elevator motors in the country, and its gearbox motors have been the talk of the town in this industry. Therefore, it can be one of your choices in selecting an elevator motor. Among the features of its gearbox motors is a motor with a capacity of 6 persons and a speed of 1 meter per second, which moves smoothly and without slippage.

- Yaran

Motors produced by this brand are compatible with different climatic conditions. Among Yaran's productions, we can mention a motor with a capacity of 6 persons, a speed of 1 meter per second, and a power of 5.5 kilowatts. Yaran elevator motors, like the other mentioned companies, have a valid national certificate and are listed among the best options for selecting an elevator motor.

- Elcam

You may be surprised to see this brand name among domestic productions because Elcam is an Italian brand. Iranian Elcam is produced by a manufacturer from Tabriz, inspired by the Italian Elcam, and produces good motors that have a capacity of 6 persons and move at a speed of 1 meter per second.

Elevator motors from foreign companies

Some of the most famous foreign brands of elevator motors include:

- Sassi

Sassi is a well-known global brand in the field of elevator motor manufacturing, an old Italian brand that has gained considerable credibility over the years through the production of high-quality products. Among the features of Sassi motors are a capacity of 6 persons and a speed of 1 meter per second, which should be considered when selecting an elevator motor.

- Ital

This Italian brand is one of the best-selling brands of elevator motor manufacturers, whose products, while having excellent quality, also have a reasonable price and come with a two-year warranty. The sound of these motors is very low, they have a power range of 5.5, 6.1, and 7.7 kilowatts, and are produced in both single-speed and two-speed versions.

Summary regarding the selection of elevator motors

Up to this point, efforts have been made to describe the various types of elevator motors, different brands, and the necessary factors for selecting an elevator motor in detail for you. We hope that with the help of this article, you have gained all the necessary information regarding the best elevator motor. However, if you have any doubts or questions in this regard or regarding the service, maintenance, and repair of elevators and escalators, you can contact the experts at Owj Faraz.