Elevator technicians install, maintain, and repair elevators and other people-moving machines like escalators. They require knowledge of hand and power tools, electrical theory, and programming. Technicians troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, and computer-related problems. An apprenticeship is necessary to gain experience and work independently.
An elevator technician performs a variety of tasks, including initial installation, preventative maintenance, and repairs. In addition to elevators, most technicians work on other people-moving machines, such as escalators. A successful elevator technician will ensure that each machine runs efficiently and safely, applying the knowledge he has gained over several years of apprenticeship under an experienced worker.
Installing an elevator requires knowledge of hand and power tools, as well as electrical theory. The technician must run long, supporting cables through the elevator shaft, connect side rails, and strategically route electrical wiring away from moving parts. In addition, the elevator main motor must be installed correctly for reliable elevator movement.
The installation procedure also involves programming the elevator’s microprocessor system. A technician must be able to guide the elevator to a specific floor, with no dangerous gaps between the elevator and the floor opening walkway. The parameters must be programmed into the elevator computer’s microprocessor so that the machine will default to a safe floor, such as a lobby area, in an emergency.
Preventive maintenance is another essential duty of an elevator technician. The gears must be lubricated to avoid friction and mechanical failures. Support cables may need adjustment over time due to normal wear and tear. Minor defects, such as a faded floor number on an elevator button, must be repaired to avoid passenger confusion.
The elevator technician must be well versed in parameter troubleshooting for unexpected repair requests. Typical repairs can be mechanical, electrical, or computer related; the technician must analyze a fault and decide on the quickest and most complete repair possible. For example, an elevator that doesn’t stop perfectly on each floor could have a mechanical or computer-related problem. It is common to investigate the simplest repair first; in the aforementioned example, a minor programming glitch can be quicker and easier to correct than a problem in the elevator’s mechanical system.
Escalators are another machine that an elevator technician must troubleshoot and repair. The mechanical movement of an escalator is similar to the design of an elevator, and technicians will have greater job security as they can repair various machines that a business might have, such as a department store that uses a mix of stairs and elevators. The elevator technician will also install, perform preventive maintenance and repair escalators when necessary.
This technical profession usually requires an apprenticeship for a few years. The apprentice technician will receive hands-on experience on many different repair and installation projects. As a result, the technician will be able to work independently and safely on future elevator repairs and installations.
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