March 23 was World Elevator Day and we at Eurotronix want to join in the celebration as this element has become the most used means of transport in the world. But since when have elevators existed?
It was in 200 BC in ancient Greece that the first archaic model of a platform that transported loads between different levels using the power of people or animals was found. In the 1830s and 1840s, they began to be powered by steam engines, later electric traction and hydraulic lifts were introduced. But it was not until 1852 when Elisha Graves Otis built the first elevator intended to transport people safely, as he developed a functional and safe braking system, giving rise to the elevator as we know it today.
Present and future of the sector
Looking to the not-too-distant future, the main challenge facing the elevator sector is urbanization and overpopulation. Currently, 50% of the world’s population lives in cities and the forecast is for 70% by 2050. This growth will lead to the construction of taller buildings, which will require state-of-the-art elevators capable of traveling greater distances in less time, improvements in safety and also in comfort.
Something that is already being prototyped is elevators that operate using magnetic levitation. This technology works without cables or closed structures and allows the machine to move both vertically and horizontally, making mobility in buildings much more flexible, faster and with a smaller carbon footprint.
One interesting fact is that two-thirds of people who use the elevator do not speak to each other. In this area of communication, the future of elevators is digital natives, with whom we will interact very actively. Screens with multimedia content and voice control of temperature, music or doors will significantly improve the user experience.
Furthermore, artificial intelligence and data analysis revolutionize the concept we had of elevators since, thanks to sensors and other elements, they control parameters of their operation, allowing predictive maintenance, controlling access according to the profile of each user or changing the parameters of the space depending on the person occupying it.
Eurotronix solutions for the elevator sector
The elevator sector is one of the most important for Eurotronix, as we work with the main companies, which make it a relevant part of our business.
We have a wide range of products to provide solutions for any element required in the entire elevator environment, from motor control and cabin electronics, the main button panel and access control, or emergency and safety devices.
Engine control and cabin electronics
A multitude of components are required to operate the engine and control the cabin electronics, and Eurotronix provides solutions for this thanks to leading manufacturers.
In the field of electromechanical components we offer electronic terminals and connectors, DIN rail terminals, circular connectors, industrial relays for distribution cabinets, safety relays (forced guides), signal relays or timers, among other elements.
At the electronic level, we supply components such as Hall current sensors, power and SMD inductors and resistors, electrolytic and film capacitors, motor drivers, AC/DC power modules, rectifier bridges or other power semiconductors, as well as protection elements such as varistors and thermistors. We can make all these products to measure according to the project specifications.
In addition, we have boxes and enclosures for panels or controls in which to integrate all this technology.
Main button panel
The push-button panel is the element of interaction with the user, which is made up of a variety of elements to provide a complete service to those who use the elevator. At Eurotronix we have push-buttons, buttons, speakers, buzzers, alarms and sirens. In addition, we also have a wide variety of display elements, such as TFT screens and LEDs for indication and emergency.
We have specific microcontrollers for controlling elevator buttons. These microcontrollers support the control of LCD screens, have an integrated CAN controller and are IEC 61508 certified.
Emergency systems
The EN 81-28 standard governs the emergency telephone system for lifts, which requires that all emergency communication equipment have autonomous power backup of at least one hour on standby, with a minimum of 15 minutes of talk time, to ensure communication in the event of a power failure.
In these emergency cases, Nickel-metal hydride batteries are one of the most used by our customers. They all have an extended temperature range and, for safety, can be supplied with PTC.
In addition, we also have supercapacitors or high-capacity capacitors to store energy in cases where the system is not connected to the power grid and the system memory can be saved.
EN 81-28 also regulates communication with the switchboard. When a user is trapped in the lift and presses the emergency button, the alarm system makes a voice call to give notice. This communication is M2M (machine to machine) and at Eurotronix we have cellular communication modules to provide a solution to these cases.
Elevator access control
We have RFID readers, which are ideal for elevator access control systems. They usually work with an identification card, a PIN or a biometric scanner. Some examples of how they work may be:
- Restrict access to high-security floors within a corporate or government building.
- Protect businesses in shared office buildings by preventing other building tenants from accessing private floors.
- Automatically direct people, employees or guests to their correct floor based on user profile, improving entry speed and convenience.
- Provide information to building managers or security personnel about user behavior and traffic patterns within the building.
Eurotronix, your partner in electronic components for elevators
The elevator revolutionized society the day it was invented and remains essential to our daily lives. That is why at Eurotronix we work to keep up to date and keep pace with the constant evolution of the sector, society and technology, guaranteeing the best support for our clients’ projects.
We have extensive experience in the distribution of electronic components for elevators with more than 20 prominent clients, including the most important companies in Spain and Portugal.
Thanks to our global partners, who offer high-quality technological products, and our strategic collaborators to optimize the costs of projects that require it, we are the leading local distributor among our clients, who highly value our customer service team and engineering support in each of their projects.
