Hang length & loop diameters
Product Weight Max. Hanging Length* Loop Diameter

See Tech Tip 1 for more detail.

There is a perception that CCTV's live feed is monitored by a person 100-percent of the time. However, this is simply NOT the case as the video is stored to a hard disk for a period of up to three (3) days. If an event occurs, the images are reviewed AFTER the event. With CCTV, the retrieval process is long and arduous.

DrakaCam, on the other hand, stores the images in easy-to-access JPEG format on a standard SD memory card and in conjunction with a special high-speed viewer supplied with the DrakaCam, the relevant high-quality images can be accessed and provided to the proper authorities.

DrakaCam is a motion-activated digital security camera designed specifically for elevators. It captures high-quality color digital images - up to 32,000 of them - and saves them to an on-board SD memory card. The pictures are encrypted with a digital signature and camera ID. The camera is installed inside a rugged stainless steel housing which is mounted in the corner of any elevator. And best of all, no additional wiring is required. It also uses PSIS technology.

Programmable Still Image Sampling (PSIS) is a technique whereby a surveillance Camera operates between CCTV mode and Digital Still Camera (DSC) mode.

This patented technology allows critical images to be captured and stored of anomalous events (intruders, attackers, vandals, terrorists) in high resolution without the quality degradation of CCTV still images.

This is a low-cost alternative to CCTV and can be used for many applications such as monitoring vandalism, fraud, criminal activity, and OSHA-related issues.

The camera has a highly sensitive motion detector which begins snapping high-quality color photographs the moment someone enters the elevator.

It can be mounted in any corner of an elevator, but we recommend mounting it in the corner opposite the COP.

Since the remote is small and easy to misplace, we recommend storing inside the housing itself.

CCTV: Reduced quality 'still image' due to decompression from video stream.
DrakaCam: High resolution digital still images (640x480 pixels)

CCTV: Bulky and non-portable.
DrakaCam: Light, compact, and portable.

CCTV: 1 ½ hours battery backup with UPS.
DrakaCam: Up to 2-weeks battery backup.

CCTV: CCTV is expensive and requires additional infrastructure such as wiring, electric, etc.
DrakaCam: A fraction of the cost of CCTV; wire-free with no installation costs.

You may check it anytime, but it will be required only after an anomalous event.

The images stored are standard JPEG images, however due to the wide quality variations in after-market SD cards; we only recommend using the cards supplied by Draka.

The backup battery will run the camera for approximately two (2) weeks.

12 months.

12 meters (approximately 36 feet)

Too much time has elapsed between setup and insertion of the SD card into camera. Date and timestamp are established through initial set-up with the DrakaCam software. After setup, the SD card should immediately be inserted into the camera. Alternately, if you estimate there to be a 10 minute time differential between set-up and card insertion, you can advance the time during set-up by 10 minutes to account for this difference. You should never set-up and install the card on different days unless you account for this by advancing the date during setup.

You can get a copy of our MSDS record for WR-DRAKALUBE™ from here.

Light Curtains (also called Light Grids, Photoelectric Sensors, or Door Edges) are comprised of a row of infrared transmitter elements in one housing and a row of receiver elements in a separate housing. The two housings are mounted facing each other to create an array of light, in which each receiver recognizes light from one or more transmitters. When a target (such as an arm or leg) breaks one or more light beams, the receiver no longer sees light from its corresponding transmitter(s) and triggers the output to change state.

"Protected height" is the length of the light curtain's active sensing area. It is measured as the distance from the center of the top beam in the array to the center of the bottom beam.

The "range" is the maximum distance that can exist between the transmitter and receiver. There are slight variances among Draka's light curtain offerings with respect to range.

The "response time" of the light curtain is the time it takes for the light curtain to transmit the output (alarm) signal to the safety interface or machine control element after the protection field has been interrupted. The overall response time of the light curtain safety system includes the response time of the light curtain, the response time of any interposed interface (such as a safety controller or safety PLC), and the response time of the machine primary control elements (e.g. motor contactor or control relay).

Response time is one of the important factors that must be considered when calculating the proper minimum safety distance. All of Draka's light curtains provide acceptable response times for elevator application.

Draka offers a wide range of different light curtains based on functionality and pricing. The comparison chart below should help in determining which light curtains are best for you.

47 beam paths.

Don't be fooled - everyone actually quotes beam paths, not beams. All products work the same way, switching 1 beam on at a time, in sequence, very quickly, from top to bottom. Formula's FCU 547 product, even though it only claims 47 beam paths, actually generates 50% more beams per second than their closest competitors - almost 1,000 per second! This results in faster detection and faster response.

Absolutely not! The current design has evolved over many years, using feedback from US consultants and installers to ensure fitting is easy, quick and guaranteed to work without any adjustments. A true fit-and-forget solution!

An in-line load-weighing device (such as the Micelect ILC3) can have a positive effect on the safety and comfort of elevator passengers with the added benefit of reducing operating costs. The LWD provides real time load information and uses that information to tell the controller how to operate accordingly.

See Tech Tip 7 for more detail.

Other than common tools (such as screwdrivers, drills, etc.), we recommend a hand held monitor and multimeter.

The kit contains everything you need to install the system in the hoistway including camera, transmitter, receiver, power supplies and cable. Draka can provide video cable if required. You will need to provide your own DVR and monitors.

Check with your local governing body if you have specific questions, but we have yet to encounter any issues regarding using this system in an elevator shaft. As for FCC/IC regulations, the system is license free.

No. We use the lowest power omni-directional antennas and are able to achieve great distances. Anything less and we would not need antennas!

Installers have indicated that it takes approximately 3 hours to install the complete system. This is true even for someone who has never seen an elevator shaft. Installation is very simple.

The channel-switching technology used by the system ensures that it will function without interference, regardless of what equipment is used in or around the shaft.

Hardwired systems are more costly due to labor and cable costs. Also, the cable is often run parallel with AC power which can cause poor video. The EV-L2R5803 will deliver crisp DVD-quality vide and you won't get tangled up in cable.

Each elevator will require a complete kit because each link is encrypted and requires a dedicated transmitter/receiver pair.

There are generally two options. One is to mount the transmitter on top of the cab and the receiver in the overhead. The second is to mount the transmitter below the cab with the receiver in the pit. The decision is typically based on where you plan to keep monitors and recording equipment. The only requirement is that you keep a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver.

No; 802.11a technology is immune to such obstructions.

Draka's 2500 seismic sensor is a compact device which senses seismic shocks or earthquakes. The sensor's main component is a 3-axis accelerometer sensitive enough to detect a seismic event as small as 0.01G. The device automatically records the date, time, duration, and peak acceleration in each axis for up to 15 seismic events.

When a seismic event exceeds the user-defined threshold, the sensor directs the elevators in motion to the nearest floor, opens the doors, and removes the cars from service until manually reset by a certified maintenance technician. Elevator cars already standing at a floor would be prevented from starting.

A "G" is defined as the acceleration due to gravity on the Earth's surface which is 32.2 ft/sec2 (9.8 m/s2).

No, the alarm levels are pre-set to meet elevator safety code.

Draka's seismic sensor is approximately 8-in wide x 7-in tall x 3-in deep (21cm x 18cm x 8cm).

The device meets or exceeds ASCE 25-97, ASME 17.1/17.5, CSA B44.1.

The unit's backup battery begins functioning in the event of a power outage. If the power outage is long enough that the backup battery's power reaches 20-percent of max, the sensor reacts as if a seismic event had occurred, removing the cars from service until manually reset by a certified maintenance technician. This is to comply with California's seismic code established in April 2007. (The device functions normally after short power blinks)

Draka recommends installing the seismic sensor in the machine room near the elevator controller. The seismic sensor MUST be installed on a load-bearing surface. It may be installed horizontally or vertically, provided it is located on a load bearing surface.

AC or DC supplies are both acceptable, but must not exceed 24VDC/VACPK. For AC main power, 120V/60Hz to 240V/50Hz is acceptable.

Hydraulic fluid adversely reacts to the PVC jacket making it brittle, which will result in cracking.

Hydraulic fluid adversely reacts to the PVC jacket making it brittle, which will result in cracking.

Draka Elevator Products uses IWRC ( Independent Wire Rope Core) to conduct the ASME destructive engineering strength test. These ropes have a much higher breaking strength than the EHS (Extra High Strength) ropes that were used in the past. The test requires that a wedge socket must be strong enough so the rope will break before the socket or wedge deforms. Draka Elevator Products rope sockets exceed this standard for every size sold.

Draka Elevator wedge socket components were engineered and tested to specifically work with each other. Mixing of component manufacturers will jeopardize wedge socket integrity.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Determine the type of rope you are using

Find the correct chart (chart A or B below) for the type of rope you are using such as 8x19, 8x25, etc. The wire rope types are listed just above charts A and B and highlighted in green.

Step 2: Determine the diameter of your hoistway wire rope.

The outer diameter (OD) of the hoistway wire rope is listed along the left column of charts A and B.

Step 3: Determine the number of hoistway wire ropes you have.

The number of hoistway wire ropes is listed along the top row of charts A and B.

Step 4: Find the correct Whisper-Flex sizing.

Find where the OD from step 2 and the number of hoistway wire ropes intersect on the chart to determine the correct Whisper-Flex sizing.

Step 5: Determine whether the elevator is 1:1 or 2:1 roping.

If your roping is 1:1, you have determined the correct size. If your roping is 2:1, multiply your answer by 2 to determine the correct sizing.

Step 5: Determine how many pieces of Whisper-Flex per car you need.

Finally, determine whether you want 1 or 2 pieces of Whisper-Flex per elevator cab. If you want 1 piece per cab, simply take the sizing determine in step 4 to determine the closets Whisper-Flex product based on weight per foot. If 2 pieces are desired, divide the sizing found in step 4 by 2 to determine the closets Whisper-Flex product based on weight per foot.

Ropes will expand in diameter and get shorter, lifting both the governor and compensation sheaves. Wet ropes will impact the leveling of the car.

Elastic Stretch is an increase in rope length due to change in load (the rope acts like a rubber band).

Constructional Stretch is the settling/compression of the core and strands when a load is applied (most occurs shortly after the rope is put into service).

Pre-Stretched Rope? Laboratory testing has shown that standard Gustav Wolf fiber core rope exhibits comparable elongation to commonly used brands of pre-stretched rope.

Pre-stretching is defined as pre-loading ropes in a way that the main rope elements, such as core fibers, core, wires and strands can settle under load prior to installation. In theory, pre-stretching should reduce (but not eliminate) the amount of elongation of newly installed elevator ropes. In actuality, the data does not support this viewpoint.

IWRC (Independent Wire Rope Core) ropes or mixed core ropes have better elongation behavior than fiber core ropes. Pre-stretching these rope types is not required since they naturally settle due to their construction.

Pre-stretching may be performed either during or after production.

Pre-stretching during Production:

If ropes are pre-stretched during rope production the result can be negligible. In fact, it is not possible to pre-stretch fiber core elevator ropes during production as the time is too short to gain any benefit. Improving elongation behavior by pre-stretching fiber core ropes requires a very high time factor. Therefore some producers offer post-production pre-stretched ropes. Pre-stretching after Production

If the ropes are pre-stretched after production the effect is little to none. Even if the rope speed is slower than during rope production, the time required to achieve meaningful rope stretch is not sufficient. Fiber core ropes with effective long time pre-stretching would simply be too costly. Also, ropes change reels several times before they are installed on an elevator. They move from production to master reels and usually from master reels to smaller warehouse reels for distribution. At the end they are cut to length and wound to even smaller reels or coils, ready to be installed onto elevators. During such handling, strands and wires change position and tend to lose any benefit of a pre-stretching process. This is yet another reason why the effect of pre-stretching ropes is very small or absent.

They are as follows…

Fiber Core Ropes

The core of a fiber core rope is the most important part. It supports the strands when the rope is under load. A good fiber core stays firm and will not get compressed by the strand pressure and thus prevents excessive rope stretch. A good fiber core has a significant influence on reducing rope elongation behavior. Therefore, rope manufacturers with in-house core production can integrate and control the core production in their own quality systems. Such ropes have a good elongation behavior.

Mixed or Steel Reinforced Core Ropes

In mixed core ropes, part of the fiber core is replaced by steel wire strands or smaller steel ropes. A steel reinforced core supports the outer strands better than a pure fiber core. This gives the mixed core rope a better elongation behavior than a fiber core rope. In addition, the steel part of the mixed core relieves the outer strands of some load which also results in lower stretch. Mixed core ropes have a good elongation behavior.

Steel Core Ropes

Steel wire strands or steel wire rope (IWRC) can also be used as cores. Both have an enormous effect on positive rope elongation behavior. Steel core ropes support the outer strands best. This results in very little diameter reduction and therefore keeps rope stretch very low. Steel core ropes have the best elongation behavior.

Remark

Different manufacturers offer elevator ropes with mixed and steel cores. Parallel laid elevator ropes with mixed or steel cores are very delicate and tend to untwist easily during installation if not handled correctly. With this exception, parallel laid ropes have a good elongation behavior. See the table, below, for elongation comparisons among different rope types