Elevator Mechanic Exam Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering elevator mechanics, safety regulations, electrical components, and rigging procedures based on technical exam prep notes.

Latching relay

A relay used for call registration, direction selection, or as selector relays; available as electrical (Set/Reset) or mechanical types, signified by a box with a shaded triangle in the lower right hand corner.

$RPM$ Formula

$$60 \times \text{Frequency (Hz)} \div (\text{Poles} \div 2)$$

Megohm meter (Megger)

A test instrument that uses high voltages to check the insulation properties of electric wiring or motor windings to determine if they are shorted to ground.

Minimum insulation resistance

$$1\,M\Omega$$

Shunt

A parallel connection, such as a resistive element across armature terminals to bypass current or a flexible conductor used to conduct current around a mechanical joint.

Bridle hitch

A hoisting configuration consisting of two, three, or four single hitches used together to lift an object.

Sling angle safety

Sling angles should be kept greater than $45^{\circ}$; angles approaching $30^{\circ}$ are considered extremely hazardous and must be avoided.

Scaffolding tie-in requirements

The first vertical tie must be at a maximum height of $4$ times the narrowest base dimension; additional ties must not exceed $26\,ft$ vertically or $30\,ft$ horizontally.

Counterweight weight (Typical)

The weight of the car plus $40\%$ of the Capacity Load.

LULA (Limited Use/Limited Access)

A lift system (e.g., wheelchair lifts) with a maximum rise of $25\,ft$, maximum speed of $30\,ft/min$, maximum capacity of $1400\,lb$, and a maximum platform area of $18\,sq/ft$.

Residential Elevator limits

Maximum rise of $50\,ft$, maximum speed of $40\,ft/min$, maximum capacity of $940\,lb$, and maximum platform area of $19\,sq/ft$.

Dumbwaiter limits

Platform limited to $9\,sq/ft$, inside height limited to $4\,ft$, and capacity limited to $500\,lb$ with no riders permitted.

Up Valve

The most complicated valve in a hydraulic system which controls up start, acceleration, slow down, leveling, and stopping.

SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier)

A three-terminal device used in DC door motor control and direct drives that acts as an on/off switch by pulsing the gate with a positive voltage.

Off Delay Timing Circuit

A circuit where the relay picks as soon as the switch closes, but timing begins only when current from the feed is removed.

On Delay Timing Circuit

A circuit where the relay energizing is delayed until the parallel-connected capacitors are charged.

Ward Leonard System

A system of automatic armature voltage control that achieves constant speed under changing loads and regenerates power back to the AC mains.

Type B Safeties

Safeties that apply limited pressure on the guide rails during the stopping interval.

Omega Rails

Rails that should not be torqued at the joints to maintain the shape of the rail.

Inductors (Solid State Drive)

Components used on the AC input of a solid state drive to prevent distortion to the building supply and provide filtering on the notch effect.

AND gate

A digital logic gate where the output is High only when all inputs are High.

Exclusive Or Gate (XOR)

Also called a Comparator Gate, the output is High if any but not all of the inputs are High.

Step Level Switch (Sag Switch)

An escalator safety device that prevents operation if a step sags more than $1/8\,in$ at the riser end.

Elevator Abstract

A document specifying the number of rails, hall lanterns, buttons, materials, and special features unique to an installation.

Percussion Rotary Drilling

An efficient drilling method for hard rock using a Button Bit with water and compressed air.

Governor tripping speed

Minimum speed intended to be not less than $115\%$ of the rated speed.

Over Speed Switch

A switch required on elevators over $150\,ft/min$ that opens at not more than $90\%$ of the mechanical tripping speed.

Category 1 Oil Buffer test

A test where the plunger must return to its normal operating position within $90\,s$ after being fully compressed.

ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)

Static electricity that can destroy solid state assemblies; requires use of a ground strap when handling boards.

Hydraulic Static Load Test

A test for unexposed cylinders where movement after $15\,min$ (not caused by temperature or visible leaks) indicates an underground leak.

Entrant

The general level of training required to perform a repair in an elevator pit determined to be a confined space.

ASME Rule 207.8

Requires that an elevator brake shall be able to lower, stop, and hold $125\%$ of the rated load safely.

Permeability

The ability of a substance to pack in lines of magnetic flux within a given space.

Saturated (Magnetic)

A condition where a material contains all the lines of force it can hold, and further increases in current will not increase magnetic strength.

Isolation Transformer

A transformer used to minimize electrical noise from being reflected back onto supply lines.

ANSI Rule 112.3

States that the closing force exerted by a passenger elevator door cannot be greater than $30\,lb$.

NFPA Label Red Square "4"

Indicates the product is a severe fire hazard.

Class C Fire Extinguisher

An extinguisher suitable for electrical equipment including motors and switches.

Flash Point

The temperature at which a substance gives off enough vapor to ignite.

Competent Person (OSHA)

One who can identify predictable hazards and has authorization to take prompt corrective measurements.