Modernization and Troubleshooting

Upgrading old elevators and finding faults, the last course of the elevator mechanic program in Washington: why and when equipment is modernized, surveys and scope, the code triggers and permits for alterations (SDCI in Seattle), controller, drive, machine, rope, brake, door and fixture upgrades, hydraulic modernization and cylinder replacement, commissioning and acceptance, a method for troubleshooting electrical, control and mechanical faults and ride quality, ending with the modernization of a 1962 geared car and preparation for the L&I elevator mechanic license exam.

ELV-430 12 lessons · 4 h 19 min ▶ Video lessons coming soon

Offered by HSM University · Elevators

This is the American version of this course. See the Canadian version.

What you'll learn

Explain what modernization means in code terms, distinguish repairs, replacements and alterations, and describe the scopes from one system to complete replacement
Assess why and when equipment should be modernized from reliability, parts, safety, accessibility, energy and building changes, using condition and callback records
Carry out and score a modernization survey, write a scope, and plan the work with a critical path, long-lead items and contingency in an occupied building
Build a requirements list from the alteration items of the edition in force, identify the other trades it needs, and manage permits, conditions and site surprises
Replace a controller and drive on an existing machine, size the drive, check the energy case, and carry out first runs safely with every jumper logged
Decide whether a machine, brake and ropes can be reused, refurbish them, and add independent emergency braking for ascending overspeed and unintended movement
Rebuild car and hoistway door equipment, set closing force, energy and time, and install accessible fixtures and emergency communication
Plan and carry out a hydraulic modernization, including power unit sizing, cylinder replacement or holeless conversion, and the environmental duties if oil is found
Commission a modernized elevator: tune the drive and motion, learn the hoistway, write and run a pretest plan, and hand over with baseline records
Apply a systematic troubleshooting method, from the complaint and records through half-split measurements and tested hypotheses to a verified, recorded fix
Troubleshoot electrical and control faults safely by correlating fault records with conditions, measuring supplies and testing insulation
Troubleshoot mechanical faults from noise, vibration and ride quality measurements, and prepare for the certification exam by knowing where things are in the code

Course content

12 lessons · 4 h 19 min total · final exam

1 Why and when elevators are modernized 22 min · quiz
2 Modernization planning, surveys and scope 23 min · quiz
3 Code triggers and permits for alterations 21 min · quiz
4 Controller and drive replacement 22 min · quiz
5 Machine, rope and brake upgrades 22 min · quiz
6 Door equipment and fixture upgrades 21 min · quiz
7 Hydraulic modernization and cylinder replacement 21 min · quiz
8 Commissioning and acceptance after a modernization 21 min · quiz
9 A troubleshooting method for elevators 20 min · quiz
10 Troubleshooting electrical and control faults 20 min · quiz
11 Troubleshooting mechanical faults: noise, vibration and ride quality 22 min · quiz
12 Capstone: the Tillicum car 1 modernization and the certification exam 24 min · quiz
E Final exam 20 questions

Requirements

ELV-420 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.