Surge Protection for Elevators
Elevators
Elevators are an indispensable part of modern infrastructure, efficiently transporting individuals across towering structures. However, the sophisticated electrical systems powering these engineering marvels are not immune to the unpredictable nature of electrical surges. Surge events significantly threaten elevator operation, potentially causing costly damages, operational downtime, and compromising passenger safety. Below is a list of items to consider when assessing surge protection solutions for elevators:
- If the elevator room is on the ground floor (versus the roof of the building), you will need to install a hard-wire surge protector at the electrical disconnect next to the elevator machine. Most elevators are 3 phase (120/208 volts), but verifying before ordering surge protection is a good idea.
- If the elevator room is on the roof of the building (typical of taller buildings), you need to install the surge protector at this location (at elevator disconnect) AND install a surge protector at the elevator breaker at the ground floor main electrical service entrance to the building. This extra surge protector helps dissipate transient surge energy and related surge damage from a nearby lightning strike.
- It is always a good idea to install a surge protector at the main electrical disconnect too if funds are available. This “layering” of protection can go far in mitigating the future risk of surge damage.
- Please also verify with your elevator service company that your elevator(s) have “loss of phase” protection. This feature turns off the elevator if one of the electrical phases drops out. Quite often, if no loss of phase protection and a phase drops out, equipment will attempt to keep running and can burn out. (NOT GOOD!)
- Three phase pumps also need to have loss of phase protection.
To see solutions options, please go to our Product Page. If your facility is 120/208 3 phase, then you must order an MPAF 120/208Y 3P hard-wire surge protector for each disconnect.
Call 800-362-9997 or email orders@Kenick.com to place your order today!