What are Traction Elevators?
Traction elevators use an electric traction machine to move the elevator car through the friction between the hoist ropes and the traction sheave. A counterweight balances the weight of the car and part of its rated load, reducing the amount of force required from the motor.
Traction elevators are the most widely used system in modern buildings.
How Does a Traction Elevator Work?
First, let’s look at a traction elevator’s components. A typical traction elevator consists of four main components:
Traction motor
Sheave
Steel ropes or flat steel belts
Counterweights
Traction elevators use a rope-and-sheave system to move the car. The cab is usually pulled over a sheave turned by an electric motor, with steel ropes or flat steel belts, and counterweights at their ends.
The counterweight balances the weight of the car and occupants. In this way, the motor doesn’t have to move as much weight, making it much more energy efficient than a hydraulic elevator.
Different Types of Traction Elevators
1. Geared Traction Elevator
Geared traction elevators are unique with their simple structure and mature technology and are an excellent fit for freight and low-speed elevators. They also have gears between their electric motor and sheave, which drives the pulley and moves the steel ropes or flat steel belts.
Geared traction elevators are generally used for lower-speed applications, typically up to around 500 ft/min (2.5 m/s).
2. Gearless Traction Elevator
Gearless traction elevators are well suited to mid and high-rise buildings, especially where higher speeds and efficient operation are required.
The gearless model is usually driven by a synchronous motor and has a simple structure, reliable operation, small size, lightweight, high efficiency, low speed and high torque. Depending on the elevator model, configuration, and application, it can reach 2,000 ft/min (10 m/s) or more. if you prioritize speed and energy efficiency.
Traction Elevator Components
1.Reduction gearbox
2.Traction machine
3.Traction machine base
4.Guide sheave
5.Speed limiter
6.Machine base
7.Guide bracket
8.Rope
9.Switching iron
10.Terminal switch
11.Guide shoe
12.Lift frame
13.Lift door
14.Safety clamp
15.Guide rail
16.Rope head combination
17.Counterweight
18.Compensation chain
19.Compensation chain Guide wheel
20.Tensioning device
21.Buffer
22.Base
23.Floor door
24.Call box
25.Floor indication
26.Entourage cable
27.Lift wall
28.Maneuvering box
29.Door opener
30.Shaft sensor
31.Power switch
32.Control cabinet
33.Traction motor
34.Brake
What are the Benefits of Traction Elevators
- Traction Elevator Pros
- It offers a smoother and quieter ride
- Can travel a nearly unlimited number of floors
- Smaller electric motor size and control room requirements
- Accommodates front and rear openings in any configuration
- It has greater power and energy efficiency than hydraulic elevators
- Travels faster and covers longer vertical distances than hydraulic elevators
- It doesn’t require lubrication, thus eliminating the risk of oil contamination and potential fire risks
- The safety systems in a traction elevator are explicitly designed to prevent dead drops and injury resulting from mechanical failure or steel ropes or flat steel belts breaking
What’s The Disadvantage Of Traction Elevator？
- Limited cab weights and capacities
- More expensive to install and maintain than hydraulic elevators
- It takes longer to install, thereby adding an extra 4-6 weeks to the project schedule
- Crane is typically required, and there are structural building considerations because the top of the hoistway supports the elevator, and the building roof cannot be installed over the hoistway
How to Choose a Traction Elevator
When choosing a traction elevator, it is important to consider key factors such as building space, the drive system, load capacity and speed, and after-sales service.
Building Space
Traction elevators can be divided into two types: machine-room and machine-room-less (MRL). Machine-room elevators require a dedicated space to house the traction machine, control cabinet, and other equipment. If space is limited, a machine-room-less elevator can be an excellent choice.
Drive System
For the drive system, we recommend a permanent-magnet synchronous gearless traction machine, which offers low noise, high energy efficiency, and smooth operation. It is also one of the most widely used drive systems in modern elevators.
Load Capacity and Speed
Determine the required rated load and operating speed based on the building’s purpose, number of floors, and passenger traffic. Choosing the right specifications helps avoid unnecessary costs while ensuring the elevator has sufficient capacity for the expected traffic.
Evaluating Suppliers
Choose a supplier with extensive project experience, reliable spare-parts availability, and responsive technical support.
How Much Does a Traction Elevator Cost?
The price of a traction elevator (excluding installation) ranges from $15,000 to $90,000, depending on capacity, speed, car interior finish, floor height,and other specifications.
For example, a machine-room traction elevator with a 1,000 kg capacity, a rated speed of 1.5 m/s, and 14 floors costs approximately US$1,700.
FAQs
Traction Elevator Speed
Traction elevators have a wide speed range, from 0.4 m/s to 10 m/s. Ultra-high-speed elevators can operate even faster, with the world’s fastest currently reaching 21 m/s.
Traction Elevator Capacity
The capacity of the traction elevators typically from 320 kg to 5,000 kg, depending on the application and design.
How Many Floors Can a Traction Elevator Serve?
Modern high-speed traction elevators can serve very tall buildings. Currently, the most advanced technology allows for a maximum lifting height of over 600 meters (equivalent to the height of a 150- to 200-story building).
Traction Elevator Service Life
Traction elevators typically have a service life of 15 to 25 years; With proper maintenance and modernization, some elevators can remain in service for considerably longer.
Do You Need Help with a Traction Elevator?
We hope that this guide has been beneficial and that you found it useful in selecting a particular type of elevator.
We are an experienced elevator solution provider that can provide you with all types of traction elevators that can guarantee savings on initial investment and maintenance costs, installation space, and energy use.
Contact us to help you design traction elevators that meet your specific needs and requirements without sacrificing anything, and you can choose from various materials and accessories. So, whether you need an elevator for your low to high buildings, we have the expertise and experience you can trust.