Warner Electric Modified ER VAR15 Brakes for Passenger Elevators

Warner Electric was selected by a large elevator OEM to develop a braking system for a challenging gearless motor elevator application that required dynamic torque < 160%, noise < 54 dB A and very high energy, up to 57kJ. To meet the tough requirements, Warner engineers worked closely with the customer’s engineering team as the elevator design evolved.

The braking system has the following three functions: ascending car overspeed protection, unintended car movement protection and maintaining car position in parking mode.

Engineers developed a solution that had low wear but high energy, noise dampening with low torque impact combined with torque stability and precision. To meet the criteria, two modified ERS VAR15 electrically released brakes with fixed magnets and a floating disc were designed. The highly modular, compact units allowed the configured system to fit within the customers tight footprint. Units are microswitch equipped, EC 95/16 certified and provide EN81-1 redundancy.

The brakes were subjected to a full array of lengthy testing including energy, life cycle, climatic, aging and destruction tests. Pre-packaged brake assemblies were delivered to the customer with ready-to-mount paired magnets and burnished discs.