Elevator Systems Glossary
Concise technical definitions for elevator systems, components, safety, traction and project specifications.
1:1 roping
Suspension arrangement where the car and rope move at the same speed.
2:1 roping
Suspension arrangement where the car moves at half the rope speed.
Access control
System that limits or authorises elevator access for defined users or areas.
Brake
Electromechanical device that holds the elevator when the hoisting machine is not driving.
Elevator car
Enclosed platform carrying passengers or goods between landings.
Car door
Door mounted on the elevator car that controls access between the car and landing.
Controller
Control equipment that manages elevator movement, calls, safety circuits and operating logic.
Counterweight
Balanced mass that reduces the load the traction machine must move.
Elevator group
Two or more elevators coordinated by a common group-control system.
Elevator shaft
Enclosed vertical space in which the car and, where applicable, counterweight travel.
Goods elevator
Elevator designed primarily for transporting goods and associated handling equipment.
Guide rails
Steel rails that guide the car and counterweight through the shaft.
Headroom
Clear vertical space above the highest served landing needed for the elevator system.
Landing
Building floor area immediately in front of an elevator entrance.
Landing door
Shaft door that provides safe access to the elevator car at a landing.
Machine room
Room containing the hoisting machine and related drive/control equipment; not required on MRL systems.
MRL elevator
Machine-room-less elevator with the traction equipment located in or near the shaft.
Rated load
Maximum load for which the elevator is designed and certified.
Ride comfort
Perceived quality of elevator travel, influenced by noise, vibration, acceleration and jerk.
Safety gear
Mechanical device that can stop and hold an elevator car during an overspeed event.
Suspension rope
Ropes that suspend and move the elevator car and interact with the traction system.
Traction system
Hoisting arrangement using friction between ropes and a traction sheave.
Travel
Vertical distance an elevator car moves between its terminal positions.
Rated speed
Specified operating speed of the elevator car.
Buffer
Energy-absorbing device at the bottom of the shaft that limits the consequences of overtravel.
EN 81-20
European safety standard covering construction and installation requirements for lifts.
EN 81-50
European standard covering design rules, calculations, examinations and tests of lift components.
Technical reference: KONE elevator terminology glossary. Definitions are concise project-oriented summaries.