Menu

Article 620

Elevators, Dumbwaiters, Escalators, Moving Walks, Platform Lifts, and Stairway Chairlifts

Part I. General

  1. Scope. This article covers the installation of electrical equipment and wiring used in connection with elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts, and stair‐ way chairlifts.Informational Note No. 1: For further information, see ASME A17.1-2013/CSA B44-13, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.Informational Note No. 2: For further information, see CSA B44.1-11/ASME-A17.5-2014, Elevator and Escalator Electrical Equip‐ ment .Informational Note No. 3: The term wheelchair lift has been changed to platform lift. For further information, see ASME A18.1-2014, Safety Standard for Platform Lifts and Stairway Chair‐ lifts .
  2. Definitions.Informational Note No. 1: The motor controller, motion controller, and operation controller are located in a single enclosure or a combination of enclosures.Informational Note No. 2: Informational Note Figure 620.2, No. 2 is for information only.Control Room (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). An enclosed control space outside the hoistway, intended for full bodily entry, that contains the elevator motor controller. The roomcould also contain electrical and/or mechanical equipment used directly in connection with the elevator or dumbwaiter but not the electric driving machine or the hydraulic machine.Control Space (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). A space inside or outside the hoistway, intended to be accessed with or without full bodily entry, that contains the elevator motor controller. This space could also contain electrical and/or mechanical equipment used directly in connection with the elevator or dumbwaiter but not the electrical driving machine or the hydraulic machine.Control System. The overall system governing the starting, stopping, direction of motion, acceleration, speed, and retarda‐ tion of the moving member.Controller, Motion. The electrical device(s) for that part of the control system that governs the acceleration, speed, retarda‐ tion, and stopping of the moving member.Controller, Motor. The operative units of the control system comprised of the starter device(s) and power conversion equip‐ ment used to drive an electric motor, or the pumping unit used to power hydraulic control equipment.Controller, Operation. The electrical device(s) for that part of the control system that initiates the starting, stopping, and direction of motion in response to a signal from an operating device.Machine Room (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). An enclosed machinery space outside the hoistway, intended for full bodily entry, that contains the electrical driving machine or the hydraulic machine. The room could also contain electrical and/or mechanical equipment used directly in connection with the elevator or dumbwaiter.
    imageMotion control
    Position and speed-sensing devicesOperation controlMotor controllerPositionOpenCloseCar operationcontrol
    • Car assignment
    • Operating device interface
    • Fixture interface
    • Load weighing dispatch
    DictationRun/stopDirection Auto/manualDictationcontrol
    • Stop control
    • Direction
    • Auto/manual
    Dictation
    • Pattern generator
    • Brake control
    • Motor field control
    • Load weighing
    Power converter
    • ac motor control
    Emergencystop Status
    • dc motorcontrol
    • Hydraulic valve control
    MachinepowerCar} operation controlInput power/standby powerStarter
    • Across the line
    • Resistance
    • Wye-delta

    Electrical protective devicesGroup operation control
    • Hall call assignment
    • Operating device interface
    • Fixture interface
    Car and group signal fixtures
    Car and groupoperating
    Door operatorMoving member
    • Motor
    • Hydro piston
    Informational Note Figure 620.2, No. 2 Control System.
    Machinery Space (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). A space inside or outside the hoistway, intended to be accessed with or with‐ out full bodily entry, that contains elevator or dumbwaiter mechanical equipment, and could also contain electrical equip‐ ment used directly in connection with the elevator or dumb‐ waiter. This space could also contain the electrical driving machine or the hydraulic machine.Operating Device. The car switch, pushbuttons, key or toggle switch(s), or other devices used to activate the operation controller.Remote Machine Room and Control Room (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). A machine room or control room that is not attached to the outside perimeter or surface of the walls, ceil‐ ing, or floor of the hoistway.Remote Machinery Space and Control Space (for Elevator, Dumbwaiter). A machinery space or control space that is not within the hoistway, machine room, or control room and that is not attached to the outside perimeter or surface of the walls, ceiling, or floor of the hoistway.Signal Equipment. Includes audible and visual equipment such as chimes, gongs, lights, and displays that convey information to the user.
  3. Voltage Limitations. The supply voltage shall not exceed 300 volts between conductors unless otherwise permit‐ ted in 620.3(A) through (C).
    1. Power Circuits. Branch circuits to door operator control‐ lers and door motors and branch circuits and feeders to motor controllers, driving machine motors, machine brakes, and motor-generator sets shall not have a circuit voltage in excess of 1000 volts. Internal voltages of power conversion equipment and functionally associated equipment, and the operating voltages of wiring interconnecting the equipment, shall be permitted to be higher, provided that all such equipment and wiring shall be listed for the higher voltages. Where the voltage exceeds 600 volts, warning labels or signs that read “DANGER— HIGH VOLTAGE” shall be attached to the equipment and shall be plainly visible. The danger sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
    2. Lighting Circuits. Lighting circuits shall comply with the requirements of Article 410.
    3. Heating and Air-Conditioning Circuits. Branch circuits for heating and air-conditioning equipment located on the eleva‐ tor car shall not have a circuit voltage in excess of 1000 volts.
  4. Live Parts Enclosed. All live parts of electrical appara‐ tus in the hoistways, at the landings, in or on the cars of eleva‐ tors and dumbwaiters, in the wellways or the landings of escalators or moving walks, or in the runways and machinery spaces of platform lifts and stairway chairlifts shall be enclosed to protect against accidental contact.Informational Note: See 110.27 for guarding of live parts (1000 volts, nominal, or less).
  5. Working Clearances. Working space shall be provided about controllers, disconnecting means, and other electrical equipment in accordance with 110.26(A).

Where conditions of maintenance and supervision ensure that only qualified persons examine, adjust, service, and main‐ tain the equipment, the clearance requirements of 110.26(A)

shall not be required where any of the conditions in 620.5(A) through (D) are met.

  1. Flexible Connections to Equipment. Electrical equipment in (A)(1) through (A)(4) is provided with flexible leads to all external connections so that it can be repositioned to meet the clear working space requirements of 110.26:
    1. Controllers and disconnecting means for dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, platform lifts, and stairway chair‐ lifts installed in the same space with the driving machine
    2. Controllers and disconnecting means for elevators instal‐ led in the hoistway or on the car
    3. Controllers for door operators
    4. Other electrical equipment installed in the hoistway or on the car
  2. Guards. Live parts of the electrical equipment are suitably guarded, isolated, or insulated to reduce the likelihood of inad‐ vertent contact with live parts operating at voltages greater than 30 volts ac rms, 42 volts ac peak, or 60 volts dc, and the equip‐ ment can be examined, adjusted, serviced, or maintained while energized without removal of this protection.
  3. Examination, Adjusting, and Servicing. Electrical equip‐ ment is not required to be examined, adjusted, serviced, or maintained while energized.
  4. Low Voltage. Uninsulated parts are at a voltage not greater than 30 volts rms, 42 volts peak, or 60 volts dc.

Part II. Conductors

  1. Insulation of Conductors. The insulation of conduc‐ tors shall comply with 620.11(A) through (D).Informational Note: One method of determining that the insu‐ lation of conductors is flame retardant is by testing the conduc‐ tors or cables to the VW-1 (Vertical-Wire) Flame Test in ANSI/ UL 1581-2011, Reference Standard for Electrical Wires, Cables, and Flexible Cords.
    1. Hoistway Door Interlock Wiring. The conductors to the hoistway door interlocks from the hoistway riser shall be one of the following:(1) Flame retardant and suitable for a temperature of not less than 200°C (392°F). Conductors shall be Type SF or equivalent.(2) Physically protected using an approved method, such thatthe conductor assembly is flame retardant and suitable for a temperature of not less than 200°C (392°F).
    2. Traveling Cables. Traveling cables used as flexible connections between the elevator or dumbwaiter car or coun‐ terweight and the raceway shall be of the types of elevator cable listed in Table 400.4 or other approved types.
    3. Other Wiring. All conductors in raceways shall have flame-retardant insulation.Conductors shall be Type MTW, TF, TFF, TFN, TFFN, THHN, THW, THWN, TW, XHHW, hoistway cable, or any other conductor with insulation designated as flame retardant. Shielded conductors shall be permitted if such conductors are insulated for the maximum nominal circuit voltage applied to any conductor within the cable or raceway system.
    4. Insulation. All conductors shall have an insulation voltage rating equal to at least the maximum nominal circuit voltage

    applied to any conductor within the enclosure, cable, or race‐ way. Insulations and outer coverings that are marked for limi‐ ted smoke and are so listed shall be permitted.
  2. Minimum Size of Conductors. The minimum size of conductors, other than conductors that form an integral part of control equipment, shall be in accordance with 620.12(A) and (B).
    1. Traveling Cables.
      1. Lighting Circuits. For lighting circuits, 14 AWG copper,20 AWG copper or larger conductors shall be permitted in parallel, provided the ampacity is equivalent to at least that of 14 AWG copper.
      2. Other Circuits. For other circuits, 20 AWG copper.
    2. Other Wiring. 24 AWG copper. Smaller size listed conduc‐ tors shall be permitted.

    Common feeder

    Feeder demand factor
    620.14

    Motor feeder short- circuit and ground-
    To supplyimage
    image
image

Disconnecting means

620.51

Motor branch-circuit

short-circuit and

620.61(D)

fault protection

620.61(C)

  1. Feeder and Branch-Circuit Conductors. Conductors shall have an ampacity in accordance with 620.13(A) through (D). With generator field control, the conductor ampacity shall be based on the nameplate current rating of the driving motor of the motor-generator set that supplies power to the elevator motor.Informational Note No. 1: The heating of conductors depends on root-mean-square current values, which, with generator field control, are reflected by the nameplate current rating of the motor-generator driving motor rather than by the rating of the elevator motor, which represents actual but short-time and inter‐ mittent full-load current values.Informational Note No. 2: See Informational Note, Figure 620.13, No. 2.
    1. Conductors Supplying Single Motor. Conductors supply‐
      External transformer          
      imageground-fault protection

      Branch-circuit conductors
      620.13

      (optional)


      Motor control circuits620.61(A)

      Motor controller
      image

      Motor conductors
      620.13Overload protection for motors
      image
      MMotorThermal protection
      Article 450
      620.13, 620.15
      620.61(B)
      Article 430, Part I Article 430, Part IIIing a single motor shall have an ampacity not less than the percentage of motor nameplate current determined from 430.22(A) and (E).Informational Note: Some elevator motor currents, or those motor currents of similar function, exceed the motor nameplate value. Heating of the motor and conductors is dependent on the root-mean square (rms) current value and the length of operation time. Because this motor application is inherently intermittent duty, conductors are sized for duty cycle service as shown in Table 430.22(E).
    2. Conductors Supplying a Single Motor Controller. Conductors supplying a single motor controller shall have an ampacity not less than the motor controller nameplate current rating, plus all other connected loads. Motor controller name‐ plate current ratings shall be permitted to be derived based on the rms value of the motor current using an intermittent duty cycle and other control system loads, if present.
    3. Conductors Supplying a Single Power Transformer. Conductors supplying a single power transformer shall have an ampacity not less than the nameplate current rating of the power transformer plus all other connected loads.Informational Note No. 1: The nameplate current rating of a power transformer supplying a motor controller reflects the nameplate current rating of the motor controller at line voltage (transformer primary).Informational Note No. 2: See Informative Annex D, Example No. D10.FIGURE 620.13 Informational Note Single-Line Diagram, No. 2.
    4. Conductors Supplying More Than One Motor, Motor Controller, or Power Transformer. Conductors supplying more than one motor, motor controller, or power transformer shall have an ampacity not less than the sum of the nameplate current ratings of the equipment plus all other connected loads. The ampere ratings of motors to be used in the summa‐ tion shall be determined from Table 430.22(E), 430.24, and 430.24, Exception No. 1.
    Informational Note: See Informative Annex D, Example Nos. D9 and D10.
  2. Feeder Demand Factor. Feeder conductors of less ampacity than required by 620.13 shall be permitted, subject to the requirements of Table 620.14.
  3. Motor Controller Rating. The motor controller rating shall comply with 430.83. The rating shall be permitted to be less than the nominal rating of the elevator motor, when the controller inherently limits the available power to the motor and is marked as power limited.Informational Note: For controller markings, see 430.8.imageN
  4. Short-Circuit Current Rating.
  1. Marking. Where an elevator control panel is installed, it shall be marked with its short-circuit current rating, based on one of the following:
    Table 620.14 Feeder Demand Factors for Elevators
    Number of Elevators on a Single Feeder
    Demand Factor*11.0020.9530.9040.8550.8260.7970.7780.7590.7310 or more0.72* Demand factors are based on 50 percent duty cycle (i.e., half time on and half time off).
    1. Short-circuit current rating of a listed assembly
    2. Short-circuit current rating established utilizing an approved methodInformational Note: UL 508A-2013, Supplement SB, is an exam‐ ple of an approved method.
  2. Installation. The elevator control panel shall not be installed where the available short-circuit current exceeds its short-circuit current rating, as marked in accordance with 620.16(A).

Part III. Wiring

  1. Wiring Methods. Conductors and optical fibers loca‐ ted in hoistways, in escalator and moving walk wellways, in plat‐ form lifts, stairway chairlift runways, machinery spaces, control spaces, in or on cars, in machine rooms and control rooms, not including the traveling cables connecting the car or counter‐ weight and hoistway wiring, shall be installed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or wireways, or shall be Type MC, MI, or AC cable unless otherwise permitted in 620.21(A) through (C).Exception: Cords and cables of listed cord- and plug-connected equip‐ ment shall not be required to be installed in a raceway.
    1. Elevators.
      1. Hoistways and Pits.
        1. Cables used in Class 2 power-limited circuits shall be permitted, provided the cables are supported and protected from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flame- retardant type.
        2. Flexible cords and cables that are components of listed equipment and used in circuits operating at 30 volts rms or less or 42 volts dc or less shall be permitted, provided the cords and cables are supported and protected from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
        3. The following wiring methods shall be permitted in the hoistway in lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft):
          1. Flexible metal conduit
          2. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit
          3. Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
          4. Flexible cords and cables, or conductors grouped together and taped or corded, shall be permitted to be
          installed without a raceway. They shall be located to be protected from physical damage and shall be of a flame- retardant type and shall be part of the following:
          1. Listed equipment
          2. A driving machine, or
          3. A driving machine brake
          Exception 620.21(A)(1)(c)(1), (2), and (3): The conduit length shall not be required to be limited between risers and limit switches, interlocks, operating buttons, and similar devices.
        4. A sump pump or oil recovery pump located in the pit shall be permitted to be cord connected. The cord shall be a hard usage oil-resistant type, of a length not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft), and shall be located to be protected from physical damage.
          1. Cars.
            1. Flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3∕8), or larger, not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) in length, shall be permitted on cars where so located as to be free from oil and if securely fastened in place.Exception: Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3∕8), or larger, as defined by 356.2(2), shall be permitted in lengths in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
            2. Hard-service cords and junior hard-service cords that conform to the requirements of Article 400 (Table 400.4) shall be permitted as flexible connections between the fixed wiring on the car and devices on the car doors or gates. Hard-service cords only shall be permitted as flexible connections for the top-of-car operating device or the car-top work light. Devices or luminaires shall be grounded by means of an equipment grounding conductor run with the circuit conductors. Cables with smaller conductors and other types and thicknesses of insulation and jackets shall be permitted as flexible connec‐ tions between the fixed wiring on the car and devices on the car doors or gates, if listed for this use.
            3. Flexible cords and cables that are components of listed equipment and used in circuits operating at 30 volts rms or less or 42 volts dc or less shall be permitted, provided the cords and cables are supported and protected from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
            4. The following wiring methods shall be permitted on the car assembly in lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft):
          1. Flexible metal conduit
          2. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit
          3. Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
          4. Flexible cords and cables, or conductors grouped together and taped or corded, shall be permitted to be installed without a raceway. They shall be located to be protected from physical damage and shall be of a flame- retardant type and shall be part of the following:
            1. Listed equipment
            2. A driving machine, or
            3. A driving machine brake
          5. Within Machine Rooms, Control Rooms, and Machinery Spaces and Control Spaces.
            1. Flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexible metal conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3∕8), or larger, not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) in length, shall be permitted between control panels and
              machine motors, machine brakes, motor-generator sets, discon‐ necting means, and pumping unit motors and valves.Exception: Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit metric designator 12 (trade size 3∕8) or larger, as defined in 356.2(2), shall be permitted to be installed in lengths in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
            2. Where motor-generators, machine motors, or pump‐ ing unit motors and valves are located adjacent to or under‐ neath control equipment and are provided with extra-length terminal leads not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) in length, such leads shall be permitted to be extended to connect directly to controller terminal studs without regard to the carrying- capacity requirements of Articles 430 and 445. Auxiliary gutters shall be permitted in machine and control rooms between controllers, starters, and similar apparatus.
            3. Flexible cords and cables that are components of listed equipment and used in circuits operating at 30 volts rms or less or 42 volts dc or less shall be permitted, provided the cords and cables are supported and protected from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
            4. On existing or listed equipment, conductors shall also be permitted to be grouped together and taped or corded without being installed in a raceway. Such cable groups shall be supported at intervals not over 900 mm (3 ft) and located so as to be protected from physical damage.
            5. Flexible cords and cables in lengths not to exceed
          1.8 m (6 ft) that are of a flame-retardant type and located to be protected from physical damage shall be permitted in these rooms and spaces without being installed in a raceway. They shall be part of the following:
          1. Listed equipment
          2. A driving machine, or
          3. A driving machine brake
          4. Counterweight. The following wiring methods shall be permitted on the counterweight assembly in lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft):
          1. Flexible metal conduit
          2. Liquidtight flexible metal conduit
          3. Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit
          4. Flexible cords and cables, or conductors grouped together and taped or corded, shall be permitted to be installed without a raceway. They shall be located to be protected from physical damage, shall be of a flame- retardant type, and shall be part of the following:
            1. Listed equipment
            2. A driving machine, or
            3. A driving machine brake
    2. Escalators.
      1. Wiring Methods. Flexible metal conduit, liquidtight flexi‐ ble metal conduit, or liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit shall be permitted in escalator and moving walk wellways. Flexi‐ ble metal conduit or liquidtight flexible conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3∕8) shall be permitted in lengths not in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).Exception: Metric designator 12 (trade size 3∕8), nominal, or larger liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit, as defined in 356.2(2), shall be permitted to be installed in lengths in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
      2. Class 2 Circuit Cables. Cables used in Class 2 power- limited circuits shall be permitted to be installed within escala‐ tors and moving walkways, provided the cables are supportedand protected from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
      3. Flexible Cords. Hard-service cords that conform to the requirements of Article 400 (Table 400.4) shall be permitted as flexible connections on escalators and moving walk control panels and disconnecting means where the entire control panel and disconnecting means are arranged for removal from machine spaces as permitted in 620.5.
    3. Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlift Raceways.
      1. Wiring Methods. Flexible metal conduit or liquidtight flexible metal conduit shall be permitted in platform lifts and stairway chairlift runways and machinery spaces. Flexible metal conduit or liquidtight flexible conduit of metric designator 12 (trade size 3∕8) shall be permitted in lengths not in excess of1.8 m (6 ft).Exception: Metric designator 12 (trade size 3∕8) or larger liquidtight flex‐ ible nonmetallic conduit, as defined in 356.2(2), shall be permitted to be installed in lengths in excess of 1.8 m (6 ft).
      2. Class 2 Circuit Cables. Cables used in Class 2 power- limited circuits shall be permitted to be installed within plat‐ form lifts and stairway chairlift runways and machinery spaces, provided the cables are supported and protected from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
      3. Flexible Cords and Cables. Flexible cords and cables that are components of listed equipment and used in circuits oper‐ ating at 30 volts rms or less or 42 volts dc or less shall be permit‐ ted in lengths not to exceed 1.8 m (6 ft), provided the cords and cables are supported and protected from physical damage and are of a jacketed and flame-retardant type.
  2. Branch Circuits for Car Lighting, Receptacle(s), Venti‐ lation, Heating, and Air-Conditioning.
    1. Car Light Source. A separate branch circuit shall supply the car lights, receptacle(s), auxiliary lighting power source, and ventilation on each elevator car. The overcurrent device protecting the branch circuit shall be located in the elevator machine room or control room/machinery space or control space.Required lighting shall not be connected to the load side of a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
    2. Air-Conditioning and Heating Source. A separate branch circuit shall supply the air-conditioning and heating units on each elevator car. The overcurrent device protecting the branch circuit shall be located in the elevator machine room or control room/machinery space or control space.
  3. Branch Circuits for Machine Room or Control Room/ Machinery Space or Control Space Lighting and Receptacle(s).
    1. Separate Branch Circuits. The branch circuit(s) supplying the lighting for machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, or control spaces shall be separate from the branch circuit(s) supplying the receptacle(s) in those places. These circuits shall supply no other loads.Required lighting shall not be connected to the load side of a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
    2. Lighting Switch. The machine room or control room/ machinery space or control space lighting switch shall be loca‐ ted at the point of entry.
    3. Duplex Receptacle. At least one 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere duplex receptacle shall be provided in each machine room or control room and machinery space or control space.
    Informational Note: See ASME A17.1-2013/CSA B44-13, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, for illumination levels.
  4. Branch Circuit for Hoistway Pit Lighting and Recepta‐ cles.
    1. Separate Branch Circuits. Separate branch circuits shall supply the hoistway pit lighting and receptacles.Required lighting shall not be connected to the load side of a ground-fault circuit interrupter.
    2. Lighting Switch. The lighting switch shall be so located as to be readily accessible from the pit access door.
    3. Duplex Receptacle. At least one 125-volt, single-phase, 15- or 20-ampere duplex receptacle shall be provided in the hoist‐ way pit.
    Informational Note No. 1: See ASME A17.1-2013/CSA B44-13,Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, for illumination levels.
    Informational Note No. 2: See 620.85 for ground-fault circuit-interrupter requirements.
  5. Branch Circuits for Other Utilization Equipment.
  1. Additional Branch Circuits. Additional branch circuit(s) shall supply utilization equipment not identified in 620.22, 620.23, and 620.24. Other utilization equipment shall be restricted to that equipment identified in 620.1.
  2. Overcurrent Devices. The overcurrent devices protecting the branch circuit(s) shall be located in the elevator machinery room or control room/machinery space or control space.

Part IV. Installation of Conductors

  1. Metal Wireways and Nonmetallic Wireways. The sum of the cross-sectional area of the individual conductors in a wireway shall not be more than 50 percent of the interior cross- sectional area of the wireway.Vertical runs of wireways shall be securely supported at inter‐ vals not exceeding 4.5 m (15 ft) and shall have not more than one joint between supports. Adjoining wireway sections shall be securely fastened together to provide a rigid joint.
  2. Number of Conductors in Raceways. The sum of the cross-sectional area of the individual conductors in raceways shall not exceed 40 percent of the interior cross-sectional area of the raceway, except as permitted in 620.32 for wireways.
  3. Supports. Supports for cables or raceways in a hoist‐ way or in an escalator or moving walk wellway or platform lift and stairway chairlift runway shall be securely fastened to the guide rail; escalator or moving walk truss; or to the hoistway, wellway, or runway construction.
  4. Auxiliary Gutters. Auxiliary gutters shall not be subject to the restrictions of 366.12(2) covering length or of

366.22 covering number of conductors.

  1. Different Systems in One Raceway or Traveling Cable. Optical fiber cables and conductors for operating devices, operation and motion control, power, signaling, fire alarm,lighting, heating, and air-conditioning circuits of 1000 volts or less shall be permitted to be run in the same traveling cable or raceway system if all conductors are insulated for the maximum voltage applied to any conductor within the cables or raceway system and if all live parts of the equipment are insulated from ground for this maximum voltage. Such a traveling cable or raceway shall also be permitted to include shielded conductors and/or one or more coaxial cables if such conductors are insu‐ lated for the maximum voltage applied to any conductor within the cable or raceway system. Conductors shall be permitted to be covered with suitable shielding for telephone, audio, video, or higher frequency communications circuits.
  2. Wiring in Hoistways, Machine Rooms, Control Rooms, Machinery Spaces, and Control Spaces.
    1. Uses Permitted. Only such electrical wiring, raceways, and cables used directly in connection with the elevator or dumbwaiter, including wiring for signals, for communication with the car, for lighting, heating, air conditioning, and venti‐ lating the elevator car, for fire detecting systems, for pit sump pumps, and for heating, lighting, and ventilating the hoistway, shall be permitted inside the hoistway, machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, and control spaces.
    2. Lightning Protection. Bonding of elevator rails (car and/or counterweight) to a lightning protection system down conductor(s) shall be permitted. The lightning protection system down conductor(s) shall not be located within the hoist‐ way. Elevator rails or other hoistway equipment shall not be used as the down conductor for lightning protection systems.Informational Note: See 250.106 for bonding requirements. For further information, see NFPA 780-2014, Standard for the Installa‐ tion of Lightning Protection Systems.
    3. Main Feeders. Main feeders for supplying power to eleva‐ tors and dumbwaiters shall be installed outside the hoistway unless as follows:
    1. By special permission, feeders for elevators shall be permitted within an existing hoistway if no conductors are spliced within the hoistway.
    2. Feeders shall be permitted inside the hoistway for eleva‐ tors with driving machine motors located in the hoistway or on the car or counterweight.
  3. Electrical Equipment in Garages and Similar Occupan‐ cies. Electrical equipment and wiring used for elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators, moving walks, and platform lifts and stairway chairlifts in garages shall comply with the require‐ ments of Article 511.

Informational Note: Garages used for parking or storage and where no repair work is done in accordance with 511.3(A) are not classified.

Part V. Traveling Cables

  1. Suspension of Traveling Cables. Traveling cables shall be suspended at the car and hoistways’ ends, or counterweight end where applicable, so as to reduce the strain on the individ‐ ual copper conductors to a minimum.Traveling cables shall be supported by one of the following means:
    1. By their steel supporting member(s)
    2. By looping the cables around supports for unsupported lengths less than 30 m (100 ft)
    3. By suspending from the supports by a means that auto‐ matically tightens around the cable when tension is increased for unsupported lengths up to 60 m (200 ft)
    Unsupported length for the hoistway suspension means shall be that length of cable measured from the point of suspension in the hoistway to the bottom of the loop, with the elevator car located at the bottom landing. Unsupported length for the car suspension means shall be that length of cable measured from the point of suspension on the car to the bottom of the loop, with the elevator car located at the top landing.501.10(B)(2)(7), 502.10(B)(2)(6), 503.10(A)(3)(6),
  2. Hazardous (Classified) Locations. In hazardous (clas‐ sified) locations, traveling cables shall be of a type approved for hazardous (classified) locations as permitted in
    505.15(C)(2), and 506.15(A)(6).
  3. Location of and Protection for Cables. Traveling cable supports shall be located so as to reduce to a minimum the possibility of damage due to the cables coming in contact with the hoistway construction or equipment in the hoistway. Where necessary, suitable guards shall be provided to protect the cables against damage.
  4. Installation of Traveling Cables. Traveling cables that are suitably supported and protected from physical damage shall be permitted to be run without the use of a raceway in either or both of the following:
  1. When used inside the hoistway, on the elevator car, hoist‐ way wall, counterweight, or controllers and machinery that are located inside the hoistway, provided the cables are in the original sheath.
  2. From inside the hoistway, to elevator controller enclo‐ sures and to elevator car and machine room, control room, machinery space, and control space connections that are located outside the hoistway for a distance not exceeding 1.8 m (6 ft) in length as measured from the first point of support on the elevator car or hoistway wall, or counterweight where applicable, provided the conduc‐ tors are grouped together and taped or corded, or in the original sheath. These traveling cables shall be permitted to be continued to this equipment.

Part VI. Disconnecting Means and Control

  1. Disconnecting Means. A single means for disconnect‐ ing all ungrounded main power supply conductors for each elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, moving walk, platform lift, or stairway chairlift shall be provided and be designed so that no pole can be operated independently. Where multiple driving machines are connected to a single elevator, escalator, moving walk, or pumping unit, there shall be one disconnecting means to disconnect the motor(s) and control valve operating magnets.The disconnecting means for the main power supply conductors shall not disconnect the branch circuit required in 620.22, 620.23, and 620.24.
    1. Type. The disconnecting means shall be an enclosed externally operable fused motor circuit switch or circuit breaker that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25.The disconnecting means shall be a listed device.Informational Note: For additional information, see ASME A17.1-2013/CSA B44-13, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.Exception No. 1: Where an individual branch circuit supplies a plat‐ form lift, the disconnecting means required by 620.51(C)(4) shall be permitted to comply with 430.109(C). This disconnecting means shall be listed and shall be lockable open in accordance with 110.25.Exception No. 2: Where an individual branch circuit supplies a stair‐ way chairlift, the stairway chairlift shall be permitted to be cord-and- plug-connected, provided it complies with 422.16(A) and the cord does not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft) in length.
    2. Operation. No provision shall be made to open or close this disconnecting means from any other part of the premises. If sprinklers are installed in hoistways, machine rooms, control rooms, machinery spaces, or control spaces, the disconnecting means shall be permitted to automatically open the power supply to the affected elevator(s) prior to the application of water. No provision shall be made to automatically close this disconnecting means. Power shall only be restored by manual means.Informational Note: To reduce hazards associated with water on live elevator electrical equipment.
    3. Location. The disconnecting means shall be located where it is readily accessible to qualified persons.
      1. On Elevators Without Generator Field Control. On eleva‐ tors without generator field control, the disconnecting means shall be located within sight of the motor controller. Where the motor controller is located in the elevator hoistway, the discon‐ necting means required by 620.51(A) shall be located outside the hoistway and accessible to qualified persons only. An addi‐ tional fused or non-fused, enclosed, externally operable motor- circuit switch that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25 to disconnect all ungrounded main power-supply conductors shall be located within sight of the motor controller. The addi‐ tional switch shall be a listed device and shall comply with 620.91(C).Driving machines or motion and operation controllers not within sight of the disconnecting means shall be provided with a manually operated switch installed in the control circuit to prevent starting. The manually operated switch(es) shall be installed adjacent to this equipment.Where the driving machine of an electric elevator or the hydraulic machine of a hydraulic elevator is located in a remote machine room or remote machinery space, a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded main power-supply conductors shall be provided and be lockable open in accord‐ ance with 110.25.
      2. On Elevators with Generator Field Control. On elevators with generator field control, the disconnecting means shall be located within sight of the motor controller for the driving motor of the motor-generator set. Driving machines, motor- generator sets, or motion and operation controllers not within sight of the disconnecting means shall be provided with a manually operated switch installed in the control circuit to prevent starting. The manually operated switch(es) shall be installed adjacent to this equipment.Where the driving machine or the motor-generator set is located in a remote machine room or remote machinery space,
        a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded main power- supply conductors shall be provided and be lockable open in accordance with 110.25.
      3. On Escalators and Moving Walks. On escalators and moving walks, the disconnecting means shall be installed in the space where the controller is located.
      4. On Platform Lifts and Stairway Chairlifts. On platform lifts and stairway chairlifts, the disconnecting means shall be located within sight of the motor controller.
    4. Identification and Signs.•
      1. More than One Driving Machine. Where there is morethan one driving machine in a machine room, the disconnect‐ ing means shall be numbered to correspond to the identifying number of the driving machine that they control.The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign to identify the location of the supply side overcurrent protective device.imageN
      2. Available Short-Circuit Current Field Marking. Where an elevator control panel is used, it shall be legibly marked in the field with the maximum available short-circuit current at its line terminals. The field marking(s) shall include the date the short-circuit current calculation was performed and be of suffi‐ cient durability to withstand the environment involved.When modifications to the electrical installation occur that affect the maximum available short-circuit current at the eleva‐ tor control panel, the maximum available short-circuit current shall be verified or recalculated as necessary to ensure the elevator control panel’s short-circuit current rating is sufficient for the maximum available short-circuit current at the line terminals of the equipment. The required field marking(s) shall be adjusted to reflect the new level of maximum available short-circuit current.imageN
    5. Surge Protection. Where any of the disconnecting means in 620.51 has been designated as supplying an emergency system load, surge protection shall be provided.
  2. Power from More Than One Source.
    1. Single-Car and Multicar Installations. On single-car and multicar installations, equipment receiving electrical power from more than one source shall be provided with a discon‐ necting means for each source of electrical power. The discon‐ necting means shall be within sight of the equipment served.
    2. Warning Sign for Multiple Disconnecting Means. Where multiple disconnecting means are used and parts of the controllers remain energized from a source other than the one disconnected, a warning sign shall be mounted on or next to the disconnecting means. The sign shall be clearly legible and shall read as follows:WARNINGPARTS OF THE CONTROLLER ARE NOT DE-ENERGIZED BY THIS SWITCH.The warning sign(s) or label(s) shall comply with 110.21(B).
    3. Interconnection Multicar Controllers. Where intercon‐ nections between controllers are necessary for the operation of the system on multicar installations that remain energized from a source other than the one disconnected, a warning sign in
    accordance with 620.52(B) shall be mounted on or next to the disconnecting means.
  3. Car Light, Receptacle(s), and Ventilation Disconnecting Means. Elevators shall have a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded car light, receptacle(s), and ventilation power- supply conductors for that elevator car.The disconnecting means shall be an enclosed, externally operable, fused motor-circuit switch or circuit breaker that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25 and shall be located in the machine room or control room for that elevator car. Where there is no machine room or control room, the discon‐ necting means shall be located in a machinery space or control space outside the hoistway that is readily accessible to only qualified persons.Disconnecting means shall be numbered to correspond to the identifying number of the elevator car whose light source they control.The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign to identify the location of the supply side overcurrent protective device.Exception: Where a separate branch circuit supplies car lighting, a receptacle(s), and a ventilation motor not exceeding 2 hp, the discon‐ necting means required by 620.53 shall be permitted to comply with 430.109(C). This disconnecting means shall be listed and shall be lock‐ able open in accordance with 110.25.
  4. Heating and Air-Conditioning Disconnecting Means. Elevators shall have a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded car heating and air-conditioning power-supply conductors for that elevator car.The disconnecting means shall be an enclosed, externally operable, fused motor-circuit switch or circuit breaker that is lockable open in accordance with 110.25 and shall be located in the machine room or control room for that elevator car. Where there is no machine room or control room, the discon‐ necting means shall be located in a machinery space or control space outside the hoistway that is readily accessible to only qualified persons.Where there is equipment for more than one elevator car in the machine room, the disconnecting means shall be numbered to correspond to the identifying number of the elevator car whose heating and air-conditioning source they control.The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign to identify the location of the supply side overcurrent protective device.
  5. Utilization Equipment Disconnecting Means. Each branch circuit for other utilization equipment shall have a single means for disconnecting all ungrounded conductors. The disconnecting means shall be lockable open in accordance with 110.25.

Where there is more than one branch circuit for other utilization equipment, the disconnecting means shall be numbered to correspond to the identifying number of the equipment served. The disconnecting means shall be provided with a sign to identify the location of the supply side overcur‐ rent protective device.

Part VII. Overcurrent Protection

  1. Overcurrent Protection. Overcurrent protection shall be provided in accordance with 620.61(A) through (D)
    1. Operating Devices and Control and Signaling Circuits. Operating devices and control and signaling circuits shall be protected against overcurrent in accordance with the require‐ ments of 725.43 and 725.45.Class 2 power-limited circuits shall be protected against over‐ current in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 9, Notes to Tables 11(A) and 11(B).
    2. Overload Protection for Motors. Motor and branch- circuit overload protection shall conform to Article 430, Part III, and (B)(1) through (B)(4).
      1. Duty Rating on Elevator, Dumbwaiter, and Motor- Generator Sets Driving Motors. Duty on elevator and dumb‐ waiter driving machine motors and driving motors of motor- generators used with generator field control shall be rated as intermittent. Such motors shall be permitted to be protected against overload in accordance with 430.33.
      2. Duty Rating on Escalator Motors. Duty on escalator and moving walk driving machine motors shall be rated as continu‐ ous. Such motors shall be protected against overload in accord‐ ance with 430.32.
      3. Overload Protection. Escalator and moving walk driving machine motors and driving motors of motor-generator sets shall be protected against running overload as provided in Table 430.37.
      4. Duty Rating and Overload Protection on Platform Lift and Stairway Chairlift Motors. Duty on platform lift and stairway chairlift driving machine motors shall be rated as intermittent. Such motors shall be permitted to be protected against over‐ load in accordance with 430.33.Informational Note: For further information, see 430.44 for orderly shutdown.
    3. Motor Feeder Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protection. Motor feeder short-circuit and ground-fault protection shall be as required in Article 430, Part V.
    4. Motor Branch-Circuit Short-Circuit and Ground-Fault Protection. Motor branch-circuit short-circuit and ground- fault protection shall be as required in Article 430, Part IV.
  2. Selective Coordination. Where more than one driving machine disconnecting means is supplied by a single feeder, the overcurrent protective devices in each disconnecting means shall be selectively coordinated with any other supply side over‐ current protective devices.

Selective coordination shall be selected by a licensed profes‐ sional engineer or other qualified person engaged primarily in the design, installation, or maintenance of electrical systems. The selection shall be documented and made available to those authorized to design, install, inspect, maintain, and operate the system.

Part VIII. Machine Rooms, Control Rooms, Machinery Spaces, and Control Spaces

620.71 Guarding Equipment. Elevator, dumbwaiter, escalator, and moving walk driving machines; motor-generator sets; motor controllers; and disconnecting means shall be installed in a room or space set aside for that purpose unless otherwise permitted in 620.71(A) or (B). The room or space shall be secured against unauthorized access.

  1. Motor Controllers. Motor controllers shall be permitted outside the spaces herein specified, provided they are in enclo‐ sures with doors or removable panels that are capable of being locked in the closed position and the disconnecting means is located adjacent to or is an integral part of the motor control‐ ler. Motor controller enclosures for escalator or moving walks shall be permitted in the balustrade on the side located away from the moving steps or moving treadway. If the disconnect‐ ing means is an integral part of the motor controller, it shall be operable without opening the enclosure.
  2. Driving Machines. Elevators with driving machines loca‐ ted on the car, on the counterweight, or in the hoistway, and driving machines for dumbwaiters, platform lifts, and stairway lifts, shall be permitted outside the spaces herein specified.

Part IX. Grounding

  1. Metal Raceways Attached to Cars. Metal raceways, Type MC cable, Type MI cable, or Type AC cable attached to elevator cars shall be bonded to metal parts of the car that are bonded to the equipment grounding conductor.
  2. Electric Elevators. For electric elevators, the frames of all motors, elevator machines, controllers, and the metal enclo‐ sures for all electrical equipment in or on the car or in the hoistway shall be bonded in accordance with Article 250, Parts V and VII.
  3. Nonelectric Elevators. For elevators other than elec‐ tric having any electrical conductors attached to the car, the metal frame of the car, where normally accessible to persons, shall be bonded in accordance with Article 250, Parts V and VII.
  4. Escalators, Moving Walks, Platform Lifts, and Stairway Chairlifts. Escalators, moving walks, platform lifts, and stair‐ way chairlifts shall comply with Article 250.
  5. Ground-Fault Circuit-Interrupter Protection for Personnel. Each 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacle installed in pits, in hoistways, on the cars of elevators and dumbwaiters associated with wind turbine tower elevators, on the platforms or in the runways and machinery spaces of platform lifts and stairway chairlifts, and in escalator and moving walk wellways shall be of the ground-fault circuit- interrupter type.

All 125-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere receptacles installed in machine rooms, control spaces, and control rooms shall have ground-fault circuit-interrupter protection for personnel.

A single receptacle supplying a permanently installed sump pump shall not require ground-fault circuit-interrupter protec‐ tion.

Part X. Emergency and Standby Power Systems

620.91 Emergency and Standby Power Systems. An eleva‐ tor(s) shall be permitted to be powered by an emergency or standby power system.

Informational Note: See ASME A17.1-2013/CSA B44-13, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, 2.27.2, for additional informa‐ tion.

  1. Regenerative Power. For elevator systems that regenerate power back into the power source that is unable to absorb the regenerative power under overhauling elevator load condi‐ tions, a means shall be provided to absorb this power.
  2. Other Building Loads. Other building loads, such as power and lighting, shall be permitted as the energy absorption means required in 620.91(A), provided that such loads are automatically connected to the emergency or standby power system operating the elevators and are large enough to absorb the elevator regenerative power.
  3. Disconnecting Means. The disconnecting means required by 620.51 shall disconnect the elevator from both the emer‐ gency or standby power system and the normal power system.

Where an additional power source is connected to the load side of the disconnecting means, which allows automatic move‐ ment of the car to permit evacuation of passengers, the discon‐ necting means required in 620.51 shall be provided with an auxiliary contact that is positively opened mechanically, and the opening shall not be solely dependent on springs. This contact shall cause the additional power source to be disconnected from its load when the disconnecting means is in the open position.

Last posts

Sidebar