(ISO 9001:2015 Certified)

Overview of Escalators
Bappi Saket
Lecturer/(L&E)
 OVERVIEW OF ESCALATOR
Escalator is an equipment meant for transporting people in inclined
direction between two floor level. It is suitable in the buildings where
there is a spurt of traffic, e.g., in the buildings like Airport, Railway
station , Metro station, etc. During peak traffic, people can only be
transported through escalator quickly and smoothly.

The formula for calculating the theoretical capacity of an escalator is

as follows.

PTH = P*V*3600 / T , where

PTH = Passenger theoretical capacity per hour

P = number of persons, depends on width of the step
V = speed in m/s,
T = width of the step in meter
 ESCALATOR SPECIFICATION

• L = ESCALATOR INSTALLATION
LENGTH
• H = ESCALATOR HEIGHT
• A = STEP WIDTH
 Type of Escalators

Specification Type-I Type-II

BALUSTRADE S.S GLASS

LOCATION OUTDOOR INDOOR

MOTOR LOCATION MAIN SHAFT INSIDE PIT

DUTY COMMERICIAL HEAVY DUTY

ANGLE 30 degree 35 degree

Differences between Heavy duty and Commercial Escalators

Differences  DMRC/Heavy duty Commercial/Light duty

No. of Emergency
3 (Minimum) 2
Stop

No. of Flat Step 4 1 or 2

Type of Drive VVVF Star delta

No. of Skirt contact

6 (Minimum) 4
switches

Crawling speed 0.2m/s or 0.13m/s Stops when no passenger

 Salient features of DMRC Escalators

Rise- 3000mm
Smallest escalator Installed at Raja Nahar Singh metro station of Line-6
(BVHM)

Rise- 15650mm
Tallest escalator
Installed at Janakpuri west metro station of Line-8
(India’s tallest)
(JPW)

Largest organization Having 1127 no escalators under one roof

Six OEMs
Variety
(Schindler, Kone, SJEC-Johnson, Otis & Canny-AAL)

In-house
123 escalators
maintenance
 POPULATION OF ESCALATORS IN DMRC
MAINTENANCE 
Economical/
SN MAKE  Phase/Line QTY
OEM DMRC Crawling speed

Phase-I, II & III

1 SCHINDLER 216 124 92 0.13m/s
Line-1,3, AEL & NGN

Phase-I
2 KONE 75 75 0
Line-2

Phase-II
3 JOHNSON 294 263 31
L-2 ext, 3 ext 4,5,6
0.2m/s
Phase-III
4 AAL 310 310 0
Line- 5, 6, 8, 9 & others

Phase-III
5 OTIS 232 232 0
Line-2, 7 & others

TOTAL 1127 1004 123

*CRANEX
26 26 0 0.2m/s
TRAVELATOR 7
 Specification of DMRC Escalators
• Step width -1000mm
• Step Length - 400mm
• Step Rise - 200mm
• Step band speed - 0.65 m/s or 0.5 m/s
• Inclination - 30 degrees
• Rise - 03 to 15.65 m
• Balustrade - Glass, Steel
• Truss - Non oscillating and distortion free jig-welded structure
of rectangular hollow steel profile.
• Motor - IP55, single & double drive, single & double brake
(mechanical), 10-44KW, 10-20A (running current), 21-72A (Starting current)
• Gear - Worm & Planetary Gear
• Handrail - Black, fire resistant synthetic rubber & PU Rubber
• Step chains - Hardened and tempered material.
• Steps - Die cast of high strength aluminum alloy.
 ESCALATOR TERMINOLOGY
• DUTY CYCLE
- Typical daily usage of the escalator
• VERTICAL RISE (H)
- Difference between the floor levels at each escalator landing
• INCLINE
- Angle of the inclined section of the truss in relation to the horizontal 30degree
• STEP WIDTH (W)
- Nominal width of the step treads between the skirts 1000mm
• STEP BAND SPEED
- The traveling speed of the steps 0.65m/s or 0.5m/s
• THEORETICAL CAPACITY
- Number of persons that can be carried theoretically by the escalator in 1 hour
• DRIVE STATION (D)
- The drive unit consists of electric motor, service brake, gear box & drive wheels for the step
chain and the handrails
• TENSIONING/RETURN SATION (R)
- Located at the bottom end of the escalators where step chain is adjusted.
• RISER HEIGHT
The vertical height difference between adjacent steps 200mm
• TRUSS SUPPORT (S)
Escalator is supported at each end by mounting angles which sit on support beams within the
building structure.
• HANDRAIL CLEARANCE
The clearance between the side wall and the handrail.
• PIT (P)
The area meant for accommodating the horizontal truss portion is called Pit
9
 The maximum speed of an Escalator can be 0.75m/s with
30-degree inclination and 0.5m/s with 35-degree inclination.
The most commonly used angle is 30 degree as this offers
a good compromise between passenger comfort, safety and
the overall length of the escalator.
There are two types of escalator, heavy duty and light duty.
The material and design of the components of the escalator
will vary depending upon the duty. Depending upon the
location, whether the Escalator is inside the building or not, it is
classified as Indoor Escalator and Outdoor Escalator. The
material used and the protective class of the
components will differ depending upon these two types.
 Drive System TYPE-1

Handrail

Drive gear for handrail shaft

Handrail chain
Bearing
Pinion

Handrail shaft

Friction wheel
Drive System TYPE-2
 SPECIFICATION OF ESCALATOR
Phase-I Phase-II Phase-III
SN Item Canny-
Schindler Kone SJEC-Johnson Otis
Autometer
1 Step Four flat steps Four flat steps Four flat steps Four flat steps Four flat steps

Diameter of step
2 100mm 100mm 100mm 100mm 76.2mm
rollers

Thickness of step
3 25mm 25mm 25mm 25mm 22mm
roller
Metallic hub with
Plastic hub with PU Plastic hub with PU Metallic hub with Plastic hub with
4 Step roller type PU rubber coating
rubber coating rubber coating PU rubber coating PU rubber coating

Provided
Provided Provided Provided
5 Step axle Not Provided (Non-removable
(removable type) (removable type) (removable type)
type)
Diameter of
6 100mm/75mm 100mm 100mm 100mm 100mm
Chain roller
Thickness of
7 25mm/20mm 25mm 25mm 25mm 25mm
chain roller

Metallic hub with PU Plastic hub with PU Metallic hub with Plastic hub with Metallic hub with
8 Chain roller type
rubber coating rubber coating PU rubber coating PU rubber coating PU rubber coating

Chain roller
9 Outside chain Outside chain Outside chain Outside chain Outside chain
location

10 Drive Chain type Duplex Not Provided Duplex Duplex Triplex

 SPECIFICATION OF ESCALATOR
Phase-I Phase-II Phase-III
SN Item Canny-
Schindler Kone SJEC-Johnson Otis
Autometer
11 Gear type worm gear Planetary Worm Worm Worm

12 Handrail chain Provided Not Provided Provided Provided Provided

13 Return shaft Shaft fixed Shaft fixed Movable type Shaft fixed Shaft fixed

Brake resistors In escalator control In escalator control

14 Between steps Between steps Between steps
location panel room panel room
Stainless Steel Aluminium Steel Stainless Steel Stainless Steel Stainless Steel
15 Floor plate
sheet sheet sheet sheet sheet

Audio
16 Not Provided Not Provided Not Provided Provided Provided
Announcement

Reversion
17 Sensor Sensor Switch Sensor Encoder
direction Safety

18 Bollard Not Provided Not Provided Provided Not Provided Not Provided

19 Handrail C-type W-type C-type C-type C-type

Main shaft mounted

20 Motor location Top Pit Top Pit Top Pit Top Pit
& Top Pit
 SAFETIES IN ESCALATOR
1. Comb plate contact
2. Step chain contact
3. Handrail entry boot
4. Floor cover switch
5. Water level contact
6. Smoke detector
7. Handrail speed sensor
8. Handrail broken contact
9. Step up thrust contact
10. Missing step sensor
11. Step level/sag contact
12. Skirt contact
13. Drive chain contact
14. Reverse protection
15. Flywheel contact switch
16. Motor speed sensor
17. Service brake contact
18. Safety brake contact
19. Low lube oil
20. Earth leakage protection
21. Power / phase protection
22. Inverter protection
23. Motor overheat protection
 SAFETIES IN ESCALATOR

1. Step Chains Contacts

Located in the lower step-reversing compartment, these contacts monitor the
step chains for elongation, breakage or shortening of one or both of the step
chains. When actuated, the monitoring contacts will disable and stop the
escalator from further movement.
2. Comb Plate Contacts
If a foreign object is caught between the comb plates, and the steps, the
resulting pressing action will move one of the comb plates backwards and
actuate a safety contact, thereby switching off the escalator.
3. Handrail Entry Contacts
The handrail entry points are located far beneath the head of the balustrade. the
handrail entry contacts are so positioned that if there is any danger of an object
becoming wedged in the handrail entry points, a contact will actuate and switch
off the escalator.
4. Emergency Stop Buttons
Emergency stop buttons have been built into the balustrade skirting at the upper
and lower ends of the escalator. As the name of the button so implies, the
emergency stop buttons may be used to switch off the escalator manually,
during emergencies or even during normal conditions.
 SAFETIES IN ESCALATOR

5. Phase Failure Relay

This relay is a safety feature, which monitors the main power supply and disables
the escalator in the event of phase failure or phase reversal.
6. Step Gap Lighting
Special green lamps in the form of fluorescent tubes, mounted on both the top
and bottom of the escalator, make the individual steps clearly discernible and
distinguishable, especially at the horizontal runs. Boarding the escalator is
therefore made much easier for the young, elderly and inexperienced persons.
7. Skirting Contacts
These contacts have been installed at both the top and bottom of the escalator at
the transition curve. If an object gets caught between the step and the skirting
panel, the resultant pressure on the skirting panel will actuate one of these
contacts, thereby disabling and switching off the escalator.
8. Drive-Chain Contact
This contact monitors the Drive-Chain for breakage. When actuated, the contact
will stop the escalator.
9. Motor Overload & Overheat Relay
This relay monitors the motor working condition. In case of motor overloaded or
overheated, the escalator should be stopped.
 SAFETIES IN ESCALATOR
10. Speed Monitor with Anti-reverse Function
Fixed at the bottom of brake, it is to monitor the speed of flywheel as well as to
avoid reverse and will stop escalator in case rated speed is over 120% or under
80%.
11. Step Sag Contacts
Fixed at the start sections of both inclined upper and lower transition curves, it
will be actuated to stop escalator in case step (including step roller) sags more
than 3mm.
12. Safety Brake on Main Shaft
Fixed on main shaft, it will be actuated in case drive-chain is broken or speed is
over 120%. As standard requirement, it shall be equipped for non-public service
escalator when rise is over 6m. It is standard feature for public service escalator.
13. Handrail Speed Monitor
There are two detectors integrated in the handrail support rollers at both left and
right sides. When one or both handrails are broken or run underspeed, the
system will be executed.
14. Automatic Lubrication System
A central automatic lubrication system complete with a pump is installed to
provide adequate lubrication for all chains automatically.
 SAFETIES IN ESCALATOR
15. Step Upthrust Contact
It is fixed at upper/lower transition curves to stop escalator in case of step
upthrust.
16. Step Missing Device
Two sensors are fixed at upper/lower return sections to receive pulse signals from
steps passing by and stop escalator before missing step entering comb plate in
case of step missing.
17. Skirting Brush
It is fixed at left/right skirting panel to cover the gap between step and skirting in
order to avoid possible risk caused by the gap.
18. Balustrade Lighting
Located in the balustrade profiles on both left and right sides, meanwhile
beautifying the environment. This Function is only available for commercial
balustrade.
19. Skirting Lighting
Skirting lighting is installed in the skirting panel on both left and right sides.
20. Comb Lighting
Located in the skirting panel on both sides of top and bottom escalator entrance
providing 50 lux for highlighting the start and finish of the moving steps
 SAFETIES IN ESCALATOR
21. Brake Lining Safety Switch
The brake lining safety switch is provided at each brake shoe of the machine brake
to monitor the lining thickness and to detect any abnormal or uneven wear of
brake lining.

Normally, the two metal sticks are on open circuit, yet while the brake shoes wear
too much, the metal sticks will be connected together and the safety switch will
work.
 DO’S
• Do switch OFF/ON the Escalator only when the passengers
are not there.
• Hold the handrail while traveling.
• Face forward on the center of the step with feet slightly
apart and without touching the stationary sides.
• Watch your step when entering and leaving the Escalator.
• If your hands are full with packages or luggage, do not use
Escalator, Balancing packages on the steps or on the
handrail may cause injury to you or other.
• Recognize your limitations, if you feel uncomfortable riding,
or experience difficulty in boarding or exiting an Escalator,
use the elevator or stair instead.
 DONT’S
• Do not bypass any safety instruction while during
maintenance
• Don’t operate the Escalator if any malfunction is
observed after maintenance.
• Don't switch OFF/ON the Escalator while
passengers are traveling.
• Never ride on Escalator barefoot.
• Don’t use an inoperative Escalator as a stairway.
• Don’t place items on the handrails or steps.
• Don’t run on the Escalators
 SAFE SHUT DOWN OF ESCALATOR

• SAFE SHUTDOWN
• Stop Escalator by key switch by rotate the key in
reverse traveling direction for Line 1 & 3
• Press the stop button for Line 2 . The escalator
will come to a controlled stop.
• Escalator shall only be stopped when no person
are on the Escalator.
• Main power supply shut down
• Shut down the main power only when
necessary
• Shut down the main power from Escalator
control panel after revenue hours.
SAFETY CHECK BEFORE STARTING IN MORNING

• Start the main switch from control panel.

• Check any damage of Escalator step and
handrail.
• Start the Escalator towards observer
• Check all step and two teeth combs for damage
• Check any abnormal noise
• Ride Escalator and check for smooth operation
of the step band before returning Escalator to
service.
 ESCALATOR SHALL BE STOPPED AT ONCE

• If the handrail are not moving properly and with

a speed not suitable with that of the step band,
• If the step band moves with jerks,
• Unusual noise is generated during the run,
• If two combs teeth are damaged.
If the Escalator had to be switched off due to
one of the above reasons, restart is permitted
only upon inspection by a Escalator team.
 OPERATING MODES

• Continuous operation

– Open switching on the escalator the

step band runs permanently in the
operational direction selected by you
(0.65 m/s or 0.5 m/s selectable)
• Standby mode
– Upon switching on the escalator the step
band initially runs at approx half speed (0.2
m/s in Line-2 0.13m/s in Line-1,3 standby
mode) .If an escalator user passes through
the light barrier/photo cell at the bottom or
top escalator access the step band is
switched from standby speed to full travel
speed (only in the running direction of
escalator). Timing can be adjusted from (ECP
front panel display) depending upon the
requirement.
 PERSONAL SAFETY DURING MAINTENANCE

• Ensure the traffic light is Red in both the entrances

while in service mode
• Barricade the Escalator till returning the escalator to
usage.
• While entering in Escalator pit for maintenance
always wear the helmet and safety shoe.
• After the maintenance, during first start up, travel in
the escalator and ensure for normal operation.
• During maintenance check function of Emergency
stop.
• Shut down the Escalator if any malfunction is
noticed.
 ESCALATOR COMPONENTS
1. Steps 16. V3f Drive
2. Step chain 17. Motor
3. Step chain contact 18. Floor plate
4. Step up thrust contact 19. Floor cover switch
5. Step level/sag contact 20. Main Drive chain
21. Drive chain contact
6. Handrail 22. Service brake
7. Handrail shaft 23. Safety brake
8. Handrail chain 24. Skirt brush
9. Handrail entry boot 25. Skirt brush switch
10. Handrail speed sensor 26. Smoke detector
11. Handrail broken contact 27. Direction indicator
28. Cladding
12. Comb plate
13. Comb plate contact
14. Main shaft
15. Return/Bottom shaft
Steps Step chain

ain
ch
ep
ps

St
Ste
Step chain contact Step up thrust contact

sw hain
itch
pC
Ste

thr up
ust
p
Ste
Step sag Handrail

il
dra
Han
p sag
Ste itch
sw
Handrail shaft Handrail chain

n ai
l ch
rive

rai
d
l
ai ft

nd
r
nd sha
Ha
Ha
Handrail entry boot Handrail speed sensor

Handrail
entry boot

sor eed
sen l sp
ra i
nd
Ha
Handrail Broken Comb plate

Hand
broke rail
n con
t
switc act
h

te
pla
b
Com
Comb plate contact Main shaft

tac e
con plat
t

haft
b
Com

in s
Ma
Return/Bottom shaft V3F Drive

aft
sh
urn

rive
Ret

D
V3f
Motor Floor/Landing plate

te
pl a
or
Flo
Floor cover switch Main Drive chain

ni
cha
swi plate

ve
tch

Dri
or
Fl o
Dri
ve
cha
in c
ont
act
Drive chain contact

Ser
vice
dru brake
m
Service brake
Safety brake Skirt brush

sh
bru
t
Skir
e
rakb
ety
Saf
Skirt brush switch Smoke detector

or
ect
itch

Det
t sw

oke
Skir

Sm
Direction indicator Cladding

ng
ddi
Cla
ind ction
or
icat
e
Dir
 Drive Chain contact

Fault Code 54
Drive chain protection

Solution:
1. check if S7, S8 is activated Tip: if this switch open, E-brake will work to stop the
2. check if the drive chain is loose or broken escalator.
 Main driving shaft
• The main driving shaft is composed of main axle, driving sprocket, double
roller driving wheel, bearing, pinion etc, and fixed with truss via pins and
bolts on support-plate.

2
1.Steps sprocket
3
4 2. Main axle
3. Pinion
4. Duplex sprocket
5. Friction dish
1
5 6. Support-plate

6
Main driving shaft
 Safety/Auxiliary brake

Diagram Auxiliary brake

1. Magnetic 2. Block 3. Friction dish 4. Brake baffle 5. Pressure dish 6.Tightening-bolt
7. Double sprocket 8. Main shaft 9.Installing seat 10.Connecting plate
 Handrail shaft

Diagram 1-5 Handrail driving shaft

1. Friction wheel 2.Bearing 3.Handrail drive axle 4.Handrail axle chain wheel
Step system
 STEP DESIGN

Step
1. Trade / step Groove 2. Nylon pad 3. Step roller
Track system
Step broken case
New escalator installation at DM
Escalator control panel for KONE make
Escalator control panel for Schindler make
Escalator control panel for JLPL make
Thanks