Initial installation, preventative maintenance, and repairs are just a few of the responsibilities of an elevator technician. Most elevator technicians also work on escalators and other people-moving machines. By applying the knowledge he has gained over several years of apprenticing under an experienced worker, a successful elevator technician will ensure that each machine operates efficiently and safely.
An understanding of hand and power tools, as well as electrical theory, is required to install an elevator. Long, supportive cabling must be run up the elevator shaft, side railings must be attached, and electrical wiring must be strategically placed away from moving parts. Furthermore, for dependable elevator movement, the elevator’s main motor must be installed correctly.
Programming the elevator’s microprocessor system is also part of the installation process. The elevator must be guided to a specific floor without any dangerous gaps between the elevator and the floor’s opening walkway. In the event of an emergency, parameters must be programmed into the elevator’s computer microprocessor so that the machine defaults to a safe floor, such as a lobby area.
Another important function of an elevator technician is preventative maintenance. To avoid friction and mechanical failure, gears must be lubricated. Stretching and normal wear may require adjustments to supportive cables over time. To avoid passenger confusion, minor flaws such as a faded floor number on an elevator push button should be repaired.
For unexpected repair requests, the elevator technician should be well-versed in troubleshooting parameters. Typical repairs can be mechanical, electrical, or computer-related; the technician must analyze the failure and choose the most expedient and thorough solution. A mechanical or computer problem, for example, could be the cause of an elevator that does not stop perfectly at each floor. It’s common practice to look into the simplest repair first; in the example given, a minor programming error might be quicker and easier to fix than a mechanical problem with the elevator.
Other machines that an elevator technician must troubleshoot and repair are escalators. An escalator’s mechanical movement is similar to that of an elevator, and technicians will have more job security because they can repair multiple machines in a single business, such as a department store that uses both escalators and elevators. In addition, the elevator technician will install, maintain, and repair escalators when necessary.
This technical profession usually necessitates a few years of apprenticeship. On a variety of repair and installation projects, the apprentice technician will gain hands-on experience. As a result, the technician will be able to work on future elevator repairs and installations independently and safely.