Lift operation during a power outage

Lift operation during a power outage can mean either evacuating passengers or continuing to operate from a backup power source. These are different scenarios, so the power requirements should be defined for the specific building during the design stage.

What autonomous operation means

Autonomous operation can refer to two different objectives: completing an emergency procedure and allowing passengers to leave the lift cabin, or enabling further trips after the main power supply is lost.

The first scenario concerns evacuation, while the second involves lift operation during a power outage using a backup power source. This is why the required behaviour of the lift during a power failure should be defined before the equipment is selected.

Evacuation and continued operation are different scenarios

Evacuation is intended to allow passengers to leave the lift cabin safely after the main power supply is lost. It does not mean that the lift will continue normal operation throughout the entire outage.

Continued autonomous operation requires a separate backup power source that is compatible with the equipment. Its parameters are determined according to the characteristics of the specific lift and the required operating mode.

What determines the operating time

There is no universal period for which a lift can operate during a blackout. The duration depends on the equipment characteristics, backup power source, load and intended operating scenario.

If repeated trips are required, the technical requirements will differ from a scenario intended only for emergency actions. The required duration of autonomous operation should therefore be determined for each specific project.

Battery capacity

Battery capacity affects the available energy reserve, but on its own it does not determine how long or in what mode the lift can operate autonomously. The equipment characteristics and the components that need to remain powered must also be considered.

This is why backup power should not be selected simply according to a desired number of operating hours. The intended scenario should be defined first, followed by the technical parameters of the appropriate solution.

Load

Backup power requirements also depend on the operating mode expected from the lift. The equipment characteristics and whether only evacuation or continued trips are required are both important.

For this reason, the same solution cannot automatically be applied to different lifts and buildings. The parameters of the backup power source should be matched to the specific equipment configuration.

How to define requirements for autonomous operation

The starting point is to answer one question: what should happen after the main power supply fails? The required operating mode can then be defined, taking into account the lift characteristics and the building’s electrical supply.

Euroformat provides design services and technical support, so these requirements can be considered during equipment selection.

Need the lift to operate during power outages?

Provide Euroformat specialists with the initial project data and the required autonomous operating scenario. This will allow the backup power solution to be assessed in relation to the parameters of the specific lift equipment.

Euroformat services page:
https://euroformat.com/services/

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between guaranteed evacuation and autonomous operation?

Evacuation is an emergency procedure designed to allow passengers to leave the lift cabin after a power failure. Autonomous operation means that the lift can continue making further trips. This requires a separate backup power solution.

Can a lift operate throughout the entire power outage?

This depends on the backup power source, equipment characteristics, load and duration of the outage. An evacuation system does not mean continuous operation throughout a blackout. The required operating time should be determined during technical selection.

Who determines the required autonomous operating scenario?

The requirements are defined according to the purpose of the building and the needs of its users. They are then matched to the characteristics of the lift equipment and the building’s electrical supply. The technical solution should be agreed during the design stage.

Why should autonomous operation be agreed before installation?

The backup power source must be compatible with the specific equipment and the required operating algorithm. Agreeing these requirements in advance allows them to be incorporated into the design. For an existing lift, the available options should be assessed according to the installed configuration.

Conclusion

Lift autonomy is not simply a matter of adding a battery. Emergency evacuation and continued operation from a backup power source are different scenarios, and the technical solution should be selected according to the lift parameters and the needs of the building.