Elevator Overspeed Governor: How It Works & A Buyer’s Guide

An elevator overspeed governor is a key safety device designed to monitor lift speed and trigger protective action if the elevator moves faster than its safe operating limit. In this guide, Altivex Elevators explains how an overspeed governor works, its main components, and why it is essential for safe and reliable elevator operation.

An lift overspeed governor is a mechanical or electromechanical safety device that continuously monitors the lift speed. The governor rope attaches it to the car and it works with the safety gear. If the lift runs faster than the permitted speed, the governor operates and the safety gear engages the guide rails to stop the car in a controlled manner.The governor is not responsible for the normal movement . This is the task of the control system . It is a required added, stand alone layer of protection on traction lifts.Typical governor system comprises:
🔴Governor wheels Governor chains

🔴Tensioning mechanism

🔴Speed sensing or locking mechanism

🔴Safety switch 2.

🔴Attachment to the lift safety gear

Moving lifts safely involves many systems working together. The normal operation is controlled by the controller, drive, brakes and door interlocks, but for abnormal conditions extra protection is required. If the car travels faster than the permitted speed the governor detects this and initiates the safety gear. It is not a substitute for the brake or controller, but one part of a coordinated safety system. Lift speed depends on type

🚩  hydraulic lifts travel at ~1 m/s in low-rise buildings

🚩  geared traction lifts handle 4–30 storeys at low-to-mid speeds

🚩 gearless traction in high-rise towers can run at 6 m/s or more

🚩A governor must be rated for the speed class it protects.

Under normal circumstances, the governor pulley rotates relative to the car and the movement is transmitted to the governor by the rope. If the mechanism passes a certain overspeed condition, then the centrifugal force acts on weighted flyweights within the mechanism, causing the mechanism to grip or lock the rope . Operating the safety linkage, so that the safety gear engages the guide rails.Elevator is operational. Safety check. Rapid movement detected by governor. Centrifugal lock engages. Rope is locked. Safety equipment initiates. Car stops.This is different from normal floor selection, pressing a floor button does not engage the governor.

Replacing one part without checking the rest of the setup can create problems with compatibility and commissioning.

Overspeed governors are used for passenger, goods and freight, high rise, hospital, MRL, commercial and residential lifts. Specification selection should not be made by category alone. Rated speed, rated load, travel distance, configuration, type of safety gear and arrangement of guide rail all count. The governor and safety gear must be compatible, as both must work together in an emergency.Planning a new lift or upgrading an existing safety system? Call Altivex Elevators and discuss the correct overspeed governor for your application.

Overspeed governors are subject to international standards and in most regulated markets there is no option to not comply:

• EN 81-20 – requirements for design and construction including behaviour of governor activation EN 81-50 – design rules, calculations and tests for components
• International standards ISO Elevator safety standards – broader international benchmarks
• CE certification-confirms compliance with regional requirements

These standards include speed of activation, mechanical endurance, testing procedures and reliability of performance, and a governor should never be selected without checking it against the standards that apply to the location of the project.

An lift overspeed governor is an important layer of protection against excessive speed, working with the safety gear to bring the car to a controlled stop when necessary.Buyers need not only to consider size or price, but rated speed, application, safety gear compatibility, installation, applicable standards, testing and long-term support.Contact Altivex Elevators today to discuss the best lift safety solution for your project.