Troubleshooting Guides

Geared Machine Troubleshooting Guide

Symptom Possible Causes Solution
Brake opening is creating a loud noise. Brake gap is excessive Check gap, adjust as needed. See brake adjustment section of the manual.
Noise absorber is out of adjustment or worn out See brake adjustment section of the manual for proper adjustment.
Brake closing is creating a loud noise. Brake gap is excessive Check gap, adjust as needed. See brake adjustment section of the manual.
Normal brake is not holding Normal brake gap is not set properly Check gap, adjust as needed. See brake adjustment section of the manual.
Counterweight balance is not correct for the system Check that the counterweight is balanced at the proper percentage.
Car net travel distance is too long, not enough rope compensation Rope compensation is recommended for car travel of 110 ft or more.
Normal brake torque is not high enough Check gap, adjust as needed. See brake adjustment section of the manual.
Normal brake lining is worn Check brake lining wear. See lining check/replacement section of manual.
Brake is rubbing on one side only Brake gap is incorrectly set Check, adjust brake gap. See manual. Check clearance between pad/surface.
Ensure brake is properly opening on both sides and clear the braking surface.
Brake won’t open. Voltage and/or current from controller is not adequate or correct/ Wiring to be checked. Check Pick and Hold volts. See manual for proper settings. Confirm DC voltage is supplied to brake.
Coil is open or shorted Check coil with Ohm meter. See manual to verify correct reading. Replace brake coil if reading is bad.
Machine is equipped with a TDI emergency sheave brake and the car is not stopping in the correct distance for unintended movement Sheave brake gap is incorrectly set Check and adjust as needed. See manual for proper adjustment.
Sheave brake torque setting is incorrect Check and adjust as needed. See manual for proper adjustment.
Sheave brake pad is not properly aligned with the braking surface Check and adjust as needed. See manual for proper adjustment.
Counterweight balance is not correct for the system Check and adjust counterweight percentage.
Brake won’t pick Voltage and/or current from controller is not adequate or correct Check Pick and Hold volts. See manual for proper settings. Confirm DC voltage is supplied to brake.
Coil is open or shorted Check coil with Ohm meter. See manual to verify correct reading. Replace brake coil if reading is bad.
Controller indicates a brake switch fault Switch needs to be adjusted Check and adjust as needed. See manual for proper adjustment.
Switch is bad Replace switch and adjust the switch. See manual for proper adjustment.
Gearbox is leaking oil Oil level is over full Drain oil to the centre of the oil indicator.
Oil seal is worn Contact Torin Drive for the correct seal and procedures for replacement.
Gearbox is noisy Oil level is too low With the proper oil, fill to center of the gearbox sight glass.
Oil is dirty Change oil and check backlash. See the manual for proper adjustment.
Backlash is out of tolerance Check and adjust as needed.
Noticeable noise coming from the bearing Oil is dirty Change oil and check backlash. See the manual for proper adjustment.
Grease level is low in the bearing Grease bearing and follow maintenance schedule.
Bearing is worn Replace bearing and grease bearing.
Grinding noise coming from the motor Bearing has been worn or damaged Check and replace bearing.
High pitched noise coming from the motor Noise is likely being electrically induced by the drive Verify correct motor parameters were entered in the drive. Use application data table provided by Torin for each job.
Check drive parameters are set for an induction motor. Refer to drive manual.
Perform autotune/autolearn procedure. Refer to drive manual or manufacturer.
Ensure encoder cable is separate from motor leads to reduce noise interference.
Check/adjust the proportional and/or integral speed gain settings of the drive.
Consult controller or drive manufacturer for assistance w/advanced drive adjustments.
Motion related fault occurs when changing direction Backlash may be out of tolerance Check and adjust the backlash. See manual for proper adjustment.
Motor is overheating or operating at a noticeably higher temperature than normal Duty cycle on the machine is too high due to passenger traffic Decrease the top speed.
Use thermistor as motor protection signal to controller (R1,R2 connections in motor box).
Bearing is worn causing higher amperage Change the bearing.
Wrong voltage is being applied to the machine Check voltage against the machine data tag to be sure the voltage is correct.
Encoder related fault is occurring intermittently There is possible noise being induced onto the encoder wiring causing intermittent faults Ensure the encoder cable is separated from motor leads at the machine and controller to reduce noise interference.
Eliminate/isolate excess encoder cable. Don’t coil excess cable inside  controller. Coiling can cause noise interference.
If a noise problem is suspected & the cable cannot be shortened, store excess cable in a separate enclosure outside the controller.

 

Gearless Machine Troubleshooting Guide

Symptom Possible Causes Solution
Normal brake is not holding 125 load Normal brake gap is not set properly Check gap, adjust as needed. See brake adjustment section of the manual.
Counterweight balance is not correct for the system Check that the counterweight is balanced at the proper percentage.
Car net travel distance is too long and there is not enough rope compensation Rope compensation is recommended for car travel of 110 ft or more.
After the emergency brake drops, the car is not stopping in the correct distance for the unintended movement test Brake gap is incorrectly set Check gap, adjust as needed. See brake adjustment section of the manual.
Brake pads may be worn Check and change as needed to maintain proper adjustment.
Counterweight balance is not correct for the system Check and adjust counterweight percentage.
Normal or emergency brake is not picking Voltage from the controller is not adequate or correct Check pick/hold voltages, see manual. Ensure voltage to brake coils is DC.
Coil is open or shorted Check coil with Ohm meter. See manual for reading. Replace coil if the coil is bad.
Controller indicates a brake switch fault Switch needs to be adjusted Check and adjust as needed. See manual for proper adjustment.
Switch is bad Replace the switch and adjust the switch. See manual for proper adjustment.
Brake pick is loud Brake gap is excessive Check gap,adjust as needed. See brake adjustment section of the manual.
Noise absorber out of adjustment/worn out See brake adjustment section of the manual for proper adjustment.
Brake drop is loud Brake gap is excessive Check gap, adjust as needed. See brake adjustment section of the manual.
Brake is scrubbing against one side only Brake gap is incorrectly set Check gap, adjust as needed. See manual for proper adjustment. Check clearance between pad and surface.
Ensure brake is properly floating on pins and both sides clear the braking surface.
Encoder related fault is occurring intermittently Possible noise being induced onto the encoder wiring causing intermittent faults Ensure encoder cable is separate from motor leads at the machine and controller to reduce noise interference.
Eliminate/isolate excess encoder cable. Don’t coil excess cable inside controller. Coiling can cause noise interference.
For noise problems where cable cannot be shortened, store excess cable in a separate space outside the controller.
Poor ground connection Inspect/retighten all ground connections at the machine and the controller.
Encoder cable is bad Inspect encoder cable for signs of being crushed or damaged from severe bending. Check for cuts in the cable.
Bad encoder connection View encoder wiring connections. Check 15-pin cable connector for debris or corrosion, ensure pins are straight/clean.
Check any individual wire connections at the terminal for loose connection or insulation clamping.
For any wiring that was cut and stripped, check each wire for signs of too few strands due to improper wire stripping.
Incorrect drive adjustment or setup Check the drive to ensure the parameters are correct.
Perform autotune or autolearn procedure. Refer to drive manual or manufacturer.
Encoder fault is consistently occurring and preventing the elevator from running Encoder is bad Change the encoder.
Encoder cable is bad Inspect encoder cable for signs of damage: cuts, bends, snags, etc.
If cable is damaged, order the correct cable. DO NOT CUT THE CABLE.
Severe noise interference causing consistent faults Ensure encoder cable is separate from motor leads to reduce noise interference.
Eliminate/isolate excess encoder cable. Don’t coil excess cable inside controller. Coiling can cause noise interference.
For noise problems where cable cannot be shortened, store excess cable in a separate space outside the controller.
There is a poor ground connection Tighten all ground connections at the machine and at the controller.
Bad encoder connection View encoder wiring connections. Check 15-pin cable connector for debris or corrosion, ensure pins are straight/clean.
Check any individual wire connections at the terminal for loose connection or clamping on the insulation.
For any wiring that was cut and stripped, check each wire for signs of too few strands due to improper wire stripping.
Incorrect drive adjustment or setup Check the drive to ensure the parameters are correct.
Perform an encoder alignment.
Perform autotune or autolearn procedure. Refer to drive manual or manufacturer.
No encoder communication to the drive or communication is faulty due to noise or wiring problem Perform encoder communication test at the drive to verify communication with the drive. Feature may not be available on all drives. Consult drive manual/manufacturer.
Encoder phasing miswire If individually wired, check wiring of A, A\, B, & B\ phases for possible miswiring.
High pitched noise coming from the motor Noise is likely being electrically induced by the drive Ensure motor parameters entered into the drive are correct. Use application data sheet provided by Torin for each job.
Check that the default drive parameters are set up for a permanent magnet motor.
Perform autotune/autolearn procedure. Refer to drive manual or manufacturer.
Ensure encoder cable is separate from motor leads to reduce noise interference.
Perform an encoder alignment.
Check and adjust proportional and/or integral speed gain settings of the drive. Consult controller or drive manufacturer for advanced drive adjustments.
Grinding noise coming from the motor A bearing is worn or damaged Check and replace the bearings.
Machine guards are rubbing Check and adjust the guards.
Machine vibrates during high speed, acceleration, or deceleration Drive parameters are not properly set Ensure drive settings match application data sheet provided by Torin for each job. Verify drive is setup for a PM machine.
Drive autotune (or autolearn) procedure needs to be performed Perform autotune procedure after the correct drive parameters and drive setup are confirmed.
Motor is overheating or operating at a noticeably higher temperature than normal Duty cycle is too high due to passenger traffic Lower the top speed.
Use thermistor as motor protection signal to the elevator controller (R1,R2 connections in the motor box).
Bearing is worn Change the faulty bearing.
Wrong voltage is being applied to the machine Check building voltage and drive output voltage against machine data tag to ensure correct voltage is supplied to machine.