Residential Elevator Terminology
Glossary
A
Accordion Gate
A folding interior gate that closes and travels with the elevator.
Adjacent Opening
A cab configuration with doors on two sides at a 90-degree angle. Also called a 90-degree opening.
Automatic Gate Opener
A device that automatically opens and closes an accordion gate.
B
Battery Backup
A built-in safety feature that activates during a power outage. Powers lights and lowers the cab to the nearest landing for safe exit.
C
Cab (Car)
The enclosed platform where passengers ride.
Cab Configuration
The layout of doors on the elevator cab: inline, adjacent, or front and rear (pass-through).
Car Operating Panel (COP)
The control panel inside the cab used to select floors and operate lights, optional key lock, and emergency features.
Car Sling
The structural frame that supports the elevator cab and its contents inside the hoistway.
Child Entrapment Hazard & Door Gap Recall
Refers to a serious safety issue in some residential elevators where a hazardous gap exists between the landing door and the interior gate, allowing small children to enter the shaft when the cab is not present. This risk has led to a nationwide recall of affected models. Corrective actions include installing space guards or other approved safety devices to meet updated code requirements and prevent entrapment.
Commercial-Style Doors
Heavy-duty, stainless steel or glass elevator doors, like automatic sliding doors found in commercial buildings.
Controller
The computerized system that manages elevator movement, door operation, and safety features.
D
Drive System
The mechanical system that powers the elevator. Southeast Elevator offers electric winding drum and hydraulic systems. LEARN MORE
E
Elevator Code Compliance
Southeast Elevator systems meet all local and national codes, including ASME A17.1 standards.
Emergency Telephone
A phone located in the elevator cab for contacting emergency services or a designated number if needed. Code compliance requirement.
F
Fixtures
Light rings, handrail, COP, hall call button.
Fixture Finish
The selected material and color of hardware components like buttons and handrails. Available in various finishes.
Float Switch
A float switch is a safety device installed in the elevator pit to detect rising water levels and prevent elevator damage during flooding. When water reaches a certain height, the switch signals the control system to move the elevator cab to a designated upper floor and take it out of service until a technician can inspect and reset the system.
Front and Rear (Pass-Through)
A cab configuration with doors on opposite sides of the cab, allowing entry and exit in a straight line.
G
Gate
The interior barrier that closes off the cab entrance during operation. It moves with the elevator as it travels. Common types include accordion gates and scissor gates. Elevator gates prevent access to the shaft while the cab is in motion and must be fully closed for the elevator to operate.
H
Hall Station
A button panel located outside the elevator at each landing used to call the elevator to that floor.
Handrail
A horizontal rail inside the cab for passenger support and stability. Comes in various finishes.
Hoistway
The vertical shaft in which the elevator cab travels. Built of wood or block depending on the structure.
Hydraulic Drive System (Roped)
A quiet, residential elevator system that uses a combination of hydraulic power and steel cables to move the cab. A hydraulic piston raises and lowers a sheave (pulley), which moves ropes attached to the elevator cab. LEARN MORE
I
Inline Opening
A cab configuration with a single opening to the cab.
Interlock
A mechanical safety device that prevents a landing door from opening unless the elevator cab is present at that floor. Ensures that passengers cannot access the open shaft.
L
Landing Door
A swing-style door at each floor, designed to match the home’s interior and to prevent shaft access when the elevator is not present.
LED Lighting
Energy-efficient lighting used inside the cab. Bright, low-heat, and long-lasting.
M
Machine Room (Equipment Area)
A space that houses the controller and a hydraulic elevator’s motor.
O
Overhead Clearance
The vertical space above the cab required for safe elevator operation.
P
Pit
A shallow recessed area beneath the lowest landing. Houses safety equipment and provides cab clearance.
PVE (Pneumatic Vacuum Elevator)
A self-supporting elevator system that moves the cab using air pressure in a clear tube. Compact and ideal for retrofits. LEARN MORE
R
Rated Load Capacity
The maximum weight the elevator can carry, typically 950 lbs for residential systems.
Roped Hydraulic System
A type of hydraulic elevator that uses a combination of a piston and cables to move the cab. Instead of pushing the cab directly, the hydraulic piston raises and lowers a sheave, which moves the ropes attached to the cab. This setup allows for greater travel distance with a shorter piston and a more compact installation. Southeast Elevator uses roped hydraulic systems for smoother rides, space efficiency, and reliable performance in residential settings. LEARN MORE
S
Scissor Gate
A collapsible metal gate made of intersecting steel arms.
Service Disconnect
The main elevator power switch located within or near the controller.
Shaft
The vertical space or structure that the elevator cab travels through. Also called the hoistway. Can be built of framed wood or concrete block depending on the home’s construction and local code requirements.
Sheave
A grooved wheel (pulley) that guides and supports the elevator cables.
Sill
The threshold at the entrance to the elevator cab and each landing. Made of durable metal, the sill bridges the gap between the landing floor and the elevator cab floor.
T
Traction Elevator
A type of elevator that uses steel ropes and a counterweight system driven by a motor and traction sheave to move the cab. While commonly used in commercial settings, traction elevators have posed issues in residential applications. Southeast Elevator does not offer traction elevators due to documented recalls, recurring reliability problems, and safety concerns. We strongly recommend alternative elevator systems that deliver safer, more consistent performance for residential use.
Travel Distance
The total vertical distance the elevator travels between the lowest and highest landings.
W
Wall Panel Style
The material and design of the elevator’s interior walls. Available in flat, raised, or recessed styles in various finishes.
Winding Drum
A compact drive system that uses steel cables wound on a drum to move the cab. Often machine room-less, known for being space-efficient and mechanically straightforward, winding drum elevators are a popular choice for residential use. Southeast Elevator specializes in winding drum systems for their reliability, quiet operation, and low maintenance needs. LEARN MORE