Course 1 of 7
How lifts work.
What is inside a lift, how it moves and what stops it safely. Start here if you are new to lifts.
The lessons.
Work through them in order, or start with the one you need.
- Parts of a liftEvery main component of a traction lift, on an interactive cutaway.11 min
- How a traction lift worksCounterweights, sheaves and roping ratios, and why most passenger lifts use them.8 min
- Machine room-less liftsWhere the machine goes when there is no machine room, and what that means for maintenance.7 min
- Lift doors and interlocksDoor operators, interlocks and light curtains: the busiest parts of any lift.10 min
- Lift controllers and drivesHow the controller decides where the lift goes, and what the drive does.9 min
- Lift safety systemsThe governor, safety gear and buffers that stop a car moving when it should not.8 min
- Lift ropesHow suspension ropes are made, how they wear and when they are replaced.9 min
- What happens when you call a liftThe journey from button press to doors opening, step by step.7 min
Core reading.
Our main guides on these topics. The lessons link to them wherever they go into more depth.
Questions about your lifts?
Talk to an engineer about maintenance, repairs, examinations or a lift that is giving you trouble.
Common questions.
Practical answers about this course and its topics.
Do I need technical knowledge to follow these lessons?
No. Each lesson starts from first principles and explains technical terms the first time they appear. The lessons are written for building managers, managing agents and residents as well as anyone curious about lifts.
Are these lessons a substitute for a lift engineer?
No. They explain how lifts work so you can follow what engineers and examiners tell you. Never try to work on a lift or release trapped passengers yourself. Call your maintenance provider, or 999 if someone is in danger.
What is the difference between a traction lift and a hydraulic lift?
A traction lift hangs from steel ropes or belts that run over a motor-driven sheave, balanced by a counterweight. A hydraulic lift is pushed up by a ram driven by oil under pressure and lowers under its own weight. Our hydraulic lifts page compares the two in more detail.