Escalators Parts

Balustrade — The side of an escalator extending above the steps. It includes skirt panels, interior panels, decks and handrails.

Brake — An electro-mechanical device used to prevent the elevator from moving when the car is at rest and no power is applied to the hoist motor. On some types of control, it also stops the elevator when power is removed from the hoist motor.

Brake shoe — moving member(s) of a brake, lined with friction material which, when in contact with the brake drum, holds the elevator at floor level. On some types of control, it will stop the elevator when power is removed from the hoist motor.

Brush — a device, usually of carbon or graphite composition, used to connect a circuit with the rotating or moving portion of a DC motor, generator or other electrical device. It carries current to and from the non-moving parts of connections.

Callback — in contract service, a customer request which requires a check of an elevator other than the regularly scheduled maintenance.

Car (elevator) — the load-carrying unit, including its platform, frame, enclosure, and car door or gate.

Car counterweight — a set of weights roped directly to the elevator car of a winding-drum type installation. In practice, this weight is equal to approximately 70 percent of the car weight.

Car operating station — a panel mounted in the car containing the car operating controls, such as call register buttons, door open and close, alarm emergency stop and whatever other buttons or key switches are required for operation.

Car top inspection station — a control panel on top of an elevator car which, when activated, removes the car from normal service and allows the car to run at inspection speed from the car top station only.

Code — a system of regulations pertaining to the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators and moving walks. The most widely recognized and used is ANSI A-17.1, sponsored by the National Bureau of Standards, the American Institute   of Architects, The American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and published by ASME. It has been adopted by many states. Some states and cities have written their own codes, most of which are based on the ANSI A-17.1.

Controller — a device, or group of devices, which serves to control, in a predetermined manner, the apparatus to which it is connected.

Counterweight — a weight which counterbalances the weight of an elevator car plus approximately 40 percent of the capacity load.

Cylinder — the outermost lining of a hydraulic jack.

Direct current (DC) — an electric current flowing in one direction only and substantially constant in value.

Door lock — any type of mechanical lock designed to prevent the opening of a hoistway door from the landing side.