What if the Elevator Free Falls?

Hi, The modern elevators will never allow you to free fall. I hope you learned a lot about the fasinating engieering behind the safety mechanisms of elevators. We are thankful for the support received from SolidWorks for the production of this video. You may access an affordable version of 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers here ( $38USD/year! | 20% Off) - solidworks.com/lesics
You may download the elevator motion study model from here - www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jjhhbm...
Cheers Sabin Mathew

[@Lesics]

We are thankful for the support received from SolidWorks for the production of this video. You may access an affordable version of 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS for Makers here ( $38USD/year! | 20% Off) - solidworks.com/lesics You may download the elevator motion study model from here - www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/jjhhbmaln6urfzeuvtbbn/h?rlkey=gsgo2juq3n0y34v5bpe1582uy&e=2&dl=0 Sorry for the mistake at 8:12. The Empire state building bomber aircraft accident happened in the year 1945. When I write the script, I put the complete focus on the art of storytelling. Initially I add random numbers for year, height etc. Just before the voice over I usually replace them with actual numbers. However, for this script, I forgot to replace the year :( Thank you for your support - Sabin Mathew

[@cyrilmatthew2995]

Sir ... I really want your channel to be the best engineering channel globally ... Have been following since the start ... All the best sir. ..

[@user-wi1zo8wj6y]

😊😊

[@frogz]

i used solidworks before it was cool and used by makers, worked great to render...a really basic bucket with holes in it haha

[@tristanviola]

​@barrycaplin1394 Most content creators use sponsorships, I don't know what videos you're watching, plus solid works is a totally legit proven software 😂

[@Alfirio]

@@barrycaplin1394how much money do you give to support this channel?

[@seeker4430]

The amount of effort that goes on making these videos is immense and it's unfair that some jobless people making videos reacting to memes get more views and money

[@notsohuman-ky7xb]

so true man

[@Sealanimations69]

A wise word from a wise man

[@yensteel]

Lesics is back? I'm glad you're still making videos!

[@LuisSierra42]

Never left

[@matraz10]

The 1945 Empire State Building bomber accident killed 14 people, but not the elevator operator. She fell 70 floors and lived. The 2000 elevator accident in the Empire State Building fell 40 floors or 400 feet before the brakes stopped the car, as designed. That's floor 44 to 4. So if the cable would've broke at floor 38, that safety brake would have stopped the car at floor -2...

[@LeoLibe]

38 would have been no problem bro. It is a gradual brake, the speed would have been low at that point. The potential energy is also lower at floor 38 thwn 44.

[@candrabeqx]

@@LeoLibewhat about from floor 10-20?

[@alivira52]

​@candrabeqx same concept. At floor 10 potential energy would be low enough for the brakes to gradually slow down the lift before it hits the ground

[@alivira52]

Same concept as car brakes. The higher the speed the longer it take the brake to slow down a car

[@ThatOneGuy--]

Bro what

[@MEBYashSinghal]

Amazing Video , as a mechanical engineer truly appreciates the amount of hard work put in by you thanks a lot for such kind of videos

[@Shadow_of_STLKR]

Elevator will never fall, blocking mechanism is activated almost immediately. Not exactly what you showed on video, but still your doing amazing job, showing how things works.. for all this years. Thx

[@bruhholmes]

"Never" is a touch optimistic, about 8/9 years ago I fell approx 19 stories in an elevator before it stopped on floor 6.

[@Shadow_of_STLKR]

@@bruhholmes Hmm ok. Are you working on elevator services? bcs I preffer first and simple mechanism of locking elevator. It just should be more solid and durable, not like in ESB case. In modern design it is many ways, it could go wrong. I don't trust them bcs it depends more on servicing many components then one simple mechanism.

[@jayasuriyas2604]

Maybe it's a redundancy.

[@Shadow_of_STLKR]

@@jayasuriyas2604 Its not redundancy if one component fails and rests can't do the job.

[@matttzzz2]

​@bruhholmes bro what the fuck? What happened after that? Did you think youre gonna die? Were you in freefall and floating around?

[@4thlord51]

Horror movies have been silent since this came out.

[@JAYFULFILMZ]

I’ve always wondered what would happen if an elevator was to free fall! One of my biggest fears has been cured! Thanks Lesics! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@karandonga9326]

Not all lifts have this mechanism though. You are 50% safe.

[@Corgi_fax]

if I ever got into a situation where Elevator freefalls, I'd accept death knowing that if all the parts that keep elevator safe had failed, then my life is not the biggest problem in the elevator. Also if anyone ever wants to blow up elevator, it wouldn't be to make it freefall.

[@Hallaaballaaa]

Same

[@theblockybanana5537]

Wayy more than 50% mate

[@BitBlossomBeats]

I am a lift technician, the chance of an elevator cable snapping is almost impossible

[@zykid60]

I am very much excited to watch every videos of this channel. Wishing all the best mr sabin mathew and stay blessed❤.

[@deathsinger1192]

I learned about elevator brakes a while ago, but I didn't understand it at the time, thank you for explaining!

[@DieselDucy]

Very well made

[@BitBlossomBeats]

big fan

[@Aviator727]

yep this helped me with my fear of elevators

[@nicodeklerk1617]

There was this elevator where maintenance was never done and the hoisting cable kept breaking. Luckily the governor cable always worked and saved many lifes. Sadly the Governer cable was never inspected and snapped without anyone knowing. Then the unthinkable happened and the hoisting cable broke again and the elevator fell freely. Never say Never.

[@theblockybanana5537]

How could the governor cable snap though?

[@opticalreticle]

@@theblockybanana5537 worn out over time

[@alltechreviewer120]

When the governor cable brakes, then the electric switch beneath the governor counterweight deactivates the electric circle and the elevator can't drive. Here in Germany latest 40 years elevators have this electric switch. Have a nice day, from a 20 years elevator technician.

[@herobrine1847]

The way you capitalize certain words and don’t cite a specific incident makes your story sound fake.

[@nicodeklerk1617]

@@herobrine1847It is fake... my point was that you can not say that an elevator can never free fall if it is still a possibility... even if that possibility is highly unlikely.

[@Thatoneladywhodoesnotcare]

I feel like I’ve just completed orientation at the elevator safety break company and I’m ready for on the job training!

[@robertthallium6883]

hurpa durpa durp

[@selvaram262]

I'm proud my self be a Elevator engineer👨‍🔧.. Thanks for the video

[@BitBlossomBeats]

same

[@ramonedrozojr.768]

All of your videos are very educational, please don't die.

[@contentforgestudios798]

congratulations we really appreciate your work

[@bruhholmes]

I was in a free falling elevator about 8/9 years ago in Vancouver BC, we were doing renovations on the Sheraton Wall Center downtown & at the end of the day we'd usually pack about 15-25 guys (200lb+ demo guys) into one of these elevators like sardines; these weren't construction hoists they were the commercial elevators installed in the building. Every now & then one of them would skip a couple floors on the way down & we'd all laugh. Well, one day I was riding by myself & the elevator just started falling, around floor 25, it didn't catch itself it just kept falling - it was in free fall all the way to floor 6 where it stopped so fast that I was thrown to the floor from a standing position, I felt like I weighed 1200lb for about a half second & completely collapsed. On the way down I remember thinking "...Do I jump? .... Do I lay down..?" & When it started going single digits I thought "God please just *unalive* (oh KZbin) me I don't want to be a cripple" As soon as that thought finished crossing my mind the elevator stopped exactly where it was.

[@DashCamSerbia]

You need to learn what "free fall" means.

[@Lesics]

Ohh, did you survive without any injury? It must be a horrifying experience. It seems like the reason for your free fall was something which was not mentioned in this video.

[@bruhholmes]

@@Lesics Thanks for responding! Yes I was okay, no injury from the fall. It was an incredibly surreal experience, I didn't really panic much at all because for the short time of the event I just couldn't believe it was happening, it wasn't until I started seeing the numbers go below 10 that I started getting scared. To this day I still get a little nervous in elevators that are programmed to move quickly. I never found a good answer for why the elevator acted the way that it did. I'm a construction safety officer & I have spoken with several people in my industry (all of whom were completely shocked by the failure) as well as done my own research & I haven't been able to find a satisfactory reason for why it let go or why it took so long to catch itself.

[@engineeringin2minutes]

Thank you for this explaining video ❤❤

[@jeetdec]

Thanks for this informative video.

[@FlyingHangman]

Been stuck in elevators 4 times in my life (twice in one day at seperate elevators). On one time, the cable slipped or something (didnt break) meaning the box shunted down all of avout a foot (if that far), and it stopped solid... engineer came out, took one look and told me the emergency break had stopped it... now that ive seen how it works, i can relate to everything happening.

[@waelfadlallah8939]

You're a catastrophe magnet

[@chowdercake2223]

stay away from elevators

[@FlyingHangman]

@chowdercake2223 I did for a while after the second time. But its surprisingly few times considering how often I use them. For example, before the first one, I had to ride an elevator for work (as in most of my shift was spent going up and down to different floors); I would estimate I would ride that elevator at least 50 times a shift, that's 250 times a week, and I was in that role for a whole year before I got stuck in an elevator (a different one btw). So in the law of statistics, that's actually a pretty rare event. More common is having a near miss at least once a week driving to work (think about how often you have one), which is only 2-3 times a day.

[@technofete]

Really awesome, never thought a lift would have such a complex system 😶

[@SawyerKnight]

Now I WANT to get into an elevator freefall emergency!!

[@herobrine1847]

Me too!!!

[@Alfirio]

@lesics I think it would be a good idea to give a tutorial on how to make the elevator in Solidworks, or have a series on Solidworks tutorials.

[@lucassean]

Lesics hasn't ended🎉

[@mishalavik4595]

Я недавно устроился на работу в ГродноЛифт, и это видео оказалось очень полезным в обучении работы лифтов, спасибо автору

[@ajaypathak8338]

Thank you so much

[@maimisa]

Great,Thanks to Lesics...

[@lohhongsheng367]

You earned my subscription!

[@BuBuBoy996]

support. U are the best sir!

[@mihirchandran]

You should make a video on how hydraulic elevators and maglev elevators work.

[@user-yv2zd3rx4w]

Your🥰🥰 new subscriber. Love from Bangladesh sir. 🇧🇩🇧🇩🇧🇩

[@sevegarza]

If both the cables that hold the car and the brake cable are cut…like if an airplane crashes through the building, I don’t think the little spring on the bottom is going to save you.

[@JP_TaVeryMuch]

There's a set of emergency emergency braking systems like progressive brakes, mechanical governors, new versions of cogs and racks attached to the cabin, or the futuristic still, magnetic brake system. I don't think Mr. Lesley Ics is a lift engineer.

[@cokedrunk69]

the spring extends the deceleration time, which greatly reduces deceleration rate. so spring might not save you completely safely but no spring would just kill you.

[@alltechreviewer120]

When the governor cable brakes, then the electric switch beneath the governor counterweight deactivates the electric circle and the elevator can't drive. Here in Germany latest 40 years elevators have this electric switch. Have a nice day, from a 20 years elevator technician

[@MegaLokopo]

Actually in most buildings the springs are completely unnecessary. An elevator at free fall compresses the air beneath it, and the compressed air slows the elevator down, until the elevator reaches the bottom moving very slowly.

[@asimawad]

Inspiring, thanx

[@skygnd]

2 months ago, a dorm s elevator in my country caused 2 (As far as I remember) deaths from freefalling... Its good to check elevators routine maintenance label about when its maintained lastly (also color code of the routine maintenance label)

[@md.mizanhossenbiplop7251]

Amazing ❤

[@akashkumarmahto4921]

Greatly appreciated .

[@toquita3D]

This video is correct, but only valid if there's proper maintenance on the elevator itself. And as we've seen countless times, this is not always the case and the elevator _can_ free-fall.

[@FlnSkr]

technically, theres a bigger chance for a free rise... but dont worry

[@alltechreviewer120]

​@@FlnSkryes you are right about the more chance the elevator to go up. Wenn the brakes on the motor are defekt from the weight of the counterweight the elevator would go up.

[@dvilardi]

Amazing video overall! One thought, though: the empire state wasn’t up in 1912 lol

[@user-cz4mb5xd3l]

You are the best person which understandkng the concept of evcery thing If you dont understand my cooment so you can translate by chat gpt You are the best person Allah ap ko aur rarki aur ziyda ilam aur danish mandi day

[@Riuengy]

Amazing

[@winfredj9820]

so detailed.

[@uchennagodfrey8343]

Great content

[@TheMatsushitaMan]

8:25 Brake, not Break

[@rajpawar9343]

Blame KZbin subtitles for that. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@winfredj9820]

@@rajpawar9343 that is not a subtitle.. but I dont want to nitpick the awesome work

[@Celestiallearn1162]

Wow nice explain

[@EvanTownsend]

$38 for a year of solid works? Might have to actually tap in on that. Solid works was like $150 a seat back in drafting class. Thanks 😁 nice video too

[@headliner733]

Former elevator tech. They can free fall. Until they reach the end of the cable/chain or hit the bump stop. The chances of that happening though are extremely rare. Like one in a trillion.

[@MegaLokopo]

It doesn't stop gradually, it stops instantly.

[@maciej.opalinski]

Nothing can stop instantly because it would have infinite acceleration which is not possible.

[@MegaLokopo]

@@maciej.opalinski you know what I meant. Stop being an annoying twelve year old. You know I meant the device to stop it is activated immediately.

[@maciej.opalinski]

@@MegaLokopo ok

[@infantjerome7115]

Could you please tell how the artificial vacuum space (Zero Gravity Space) works, That is used for the space trainers...?

[@planktonfun1]

Jumping inside a free-falling elevator won't save you because both you and the elevator are falling at the same rate due to gravity, so your jump won't change your velocity relative to the elevator.

[@theblockybanana5537]

New governors are bi-directional, and feature both centrifugal mechanisms to apply the brakes, and an electronic measure. I’m fairly certain the other end of the governer is connected to the counterweight.

[@aumesania]

Kindly make video about how work Burj Al khalifas lights show

[@arvinpogi123422]

Hi lesics, we need video of Francis scott bridge how they build it.

[@libre.private]

Much better thumbnail. I ignored the video wt the previous image, but felt like clicking wt the new one. Good change 👌

[@alltechreviewer120]

When the governor cable brakes, then the electric switch beneath the governor counterweight deactivates the electric circle and the elevator can't drive. Here in Germany latest 40 years elevators have this electric switch. Have a nice day, from a 20 years elevator technician

[@elamaran.r.p]

In elevators Slip ring induction motor is used for smooth ride

[@KryptoKn8]

Pretty sure elevators are built in such a way that a single cable is still enough to carry the load capacity of the elevator, because (correct me if i'm erong) back when the inventor showed it off, people refused to step on one because they didnt trust a singular cable (despite him showcasing the safety by standing under it while it was on 1 cable on full capacity). So yeah. Its far more likely that the mechanism that actually moves the elevator breaks than the cables themselves, excluding centuries of no maintenance on said cables

[@RahulAhire]

I've been watching lesics since 2017/2018 and I really appreciate your work but just have a suggestion that although the illustrations and narration are to the point but somehow I feel that your render quality hasn't improved much. By improved I mean coming up with more realistic renders like what Brian from real engineering, Animagraffs, etc. are doing. I can understand that its monumentally challenging to do that but it'll significantly improve the visual experience thus gaining a significant brand value for lesics.

[@adilmuhammed2366]

Keep going❤

[@nader50352]

What if the failing system fails? 🥸

[@EscaLifts]

They probably are already tested

[@learningdimension3911]

You live ...it's as simple as that.

[@user-uk1vz6hp8l]

Aciona o modo reverse👍

[@nopparuj]

10:13 if someone plan to end you, they watched this video. Cut the speed governor too lol.

[@luckykumar3338]

Proud to be an Engineer ❤

[@stevenhill3136]

I wonder how these safety systems hold up over many decades and if they need regular maintenance or not

[@marcosvictor4935]

I knew there were brakes on elevators but I really tought they worked in a simple manner this seems quite overengeneered. The lead spring solution is more along the lines of what I tought was the case. Instead I tought he brakes were always activated under spring tension as a failsafe for the motor brakes, and when the motor was activated it would separate the brake pads either with it's own power or by activating another motor with an electric circuit or something similar. The leaf spring mechanism is simpler yet than what I tought was the case, just replace the metal prongs with a brake pad that won't stop instantly.

[@tristanviola]

The system they have works flawlessly, practically no need for improvement. They are "over" engineered on purpose, yes, because it's critical and people lives are at risk

[@snipoxkillo1099]

Wake up babe, new Lesics dropped

[@slickman5969]

thanks now i know i cant be assassinated in one 🤣🤣

[@Kirnotsarg]

old fear locked up! Thanks!

[@physicsboi9453]

What if the flywheel rope breaks. obviously there is the buffer springs, but yea it wud be quite a hit. Anyways amazing video.

[@FlnSkr]

it has a safety switch that activates the elevator brakes

[@physicsboi9453]

Exactly. When we can use a circuit with compact accelerometers and gyroscopes and spring mechanisms, why do we need flywheel.

[@FXTraderAustralia]

you should make a video on the baltimore bridge collapse

[@Aviator727]

thanks this helped my fear of elevators

[@user-qd2zk8zs1f]

I have been searching for an engineer channel for many month now, and I have now found the holy grail. Thank you very much Lesics. I have always been curious about the bewitching technology and engineering that surrounds us all, and I am incredibly elated to gain access to an intelligible lecture of engineering. You deserve all the subscribers in the world.

[@Boss_Tanaka]

Most deaths in elevator don’t come from free fall but when the doors open there s no elevator and people fall in the well

[@nocontent2027]

what if safety cable also snapped? and I am not comfortable with spring

[@techalyzer]

The biggest problem that has been proven endless times in real life is if these devices actually make it onto the final build, and not left out because they were "too expensive". 15 killed in Italy quite recently because the cable car emergency brakes were too expensive to repair and maintain, so they just took them out.

[@beedslolkuntus2070]

So this isn’t a problem of the engineers or even the companies who install this. Almost all modern elevators have a lot of safety mechanisms. If the building, or management, or whoever cannot maintain this this is totally on them. You can’t really blame the technology or the engineers behind it. Same can be told for cars, aero planes and other heavy machinery which all need maintenance in order to run good. And that is why at least some countries are strict in inspections

[@Virtuous_Rogue]

Under US federal law, elevators in the US include the most recent inspection approval and date (usually in a picture frame) on the elevator wall. Don't get in an elevator that hasn't been inspected in over a year. CFR 1917.116(e): Elevators and escalators shall be thoroughly inspected at intervals not exceeding one year. Additional monthly inspections for satisfactory operation shall be conducted by designated persons. Records of the results of the latest annual elevator inspections shall be posted in elevators. Records of annual escalator inspections shall be posted in the vicinity of the escalator or be available at the terminal.

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

That newer system relies on, assumes there is power, what if it goes out? Do they have Diesel generators to kick on, or batteries? For back-up. In the hospital, we have BIG Diesel power, tested once a week. We are told to use stairs. Generator is for red plugs only, IV pumps, ventilators, cardiac monitors, etc. Elevators I believe are not powered by the Diesel power plant.

[@akashverma5756]

Engineers are real God(designer) of modern world.

[@UQRXD]

At very last second before impact is jump up as hard as you can. The fall never kills it's the stop.

[@user-jp7tw3sd3x]

The original spring design could be extended to activate the modern breaks. It would be much safer. And if we add electronics, I'd make the elevator itself activate the breaks, if it detects free fall.

[@tristanviola]

What if electronics fail it's practically unnecessary to over complicate this system

[@user-jp7tw3sd3x]

@@tristanviola You add the electronics as extra fail-safe, not as primary safety feature, like it's shown in the video. The idea is that cutting the safety wire would make the shown electric (and mechanic) system(s) useless, but having an accelerometer in the cabin would be an improvement. I was also thinking about manual break, but outside skyscrapers there won't be enough time to act, even if there are warning signs.

[@beedslolkuntus2070]

@@user-jp7tw3sd3x What you’re saying is generally what is implemented anyway. Cable snaps are first of all very rare. So an actual free fall happens upwards not downwards. Because counterweight is heavier than the cab. When the normal steel cables snap it doesn’t mean that power is immediately lost to the cab anyway. There’s a different belt which carry the signal and power.

[@AK70FORYOU]

Why isnt that flywheel mechanism on the car itself? What happens if the event that snaps the cables ALSO snap the governor cable and allow the falling elevator to bring the governor cable with it?

[@briand.rivera7827]

To survive a free falling elevator. U need to lay down completely flat and if u have things to protect your head u need to cover ur head with ur things and it goes on the ground it absorb the energy of the elevator but remember the free falling elevator is so fast so u need to fast. Ok

[@Celestiallearn1162]

Nice

[@Mervin-Bunter]

Thanks Cyril Figgis

[@bluegizmo1983]

All elevator speakers should be wired to automatically start playing the song Free Fallin' by Tom Petty when the cable breaks 😂

[@debuti]

Why eddy brakes arent used?

[@kelanaground]

Very nice ....elevator video.. 10:27

[@tiemanowo]

1:46 I just wonder why even bother with a flywheel? can't just tension from cables make breaks pads move apart and in the situation when cables break, tension is lost and breaks will be closed?

[@nitinpandey5753]

Did you buy the licence for the Solid Works from DS?

[@Stamptined]

You somehow cured my fears

[@PratyushTewari]

How does it make sure that in case of emergency the free falling elevator is not arrested at the top of the building but is safely slid down to ground level? Is there any mechanical way to do that?

[@FlnSkr]

no

[@beedslolkuntus2070]

Nobody says it’ll safely go to the lowest floor. It will just stop wherever it can. Sir, how will they rescue the trapped passenger? Some lifts have a escape hatch for a reason, the rescuers can place ladders and climb down to the cab from the nearest shaft door and then can get you out. Yes, a bit involved process but this way at least nobody is trapped.

[@naromsky]

Never is a strong word.

[@sadasdafa]

hopefully no more elevator free falling nightmare at night

[@Wirmish]

When all cables breaks you need some springs and metal claws...

[@andersonsheng9685]

Will an IMU work better and way cheaper?

[@txm100]

Empire State Building B-25 crash was 1945, not 1912. Very obvious, too. Empire State was build in 1931.

[@raloed.363]

So an emp could make the safty mechanism fail. I thought that the entire reason of mechanical activated switches was to avoid the possible risk of electronic failure for electrical switches

[@coachtaewherbalife8817]

Airplanes also have backups. A typical airplane accident requires 3 to 5 state's to fail St the same time.

[@logicool2793]

what if you jump right before impact?

[@eliasmarquez6347]

I wonder why the flywheel isnt attached underneath the car? Seams like an easier use? Maybe wear on the rail? Interested to know more about accelerated trigger mechanisms.

[@dialecticalmonist3405]

That tooth system could instead be rubber brakes rather than teeth, correct?

[@Squat5000]

No it's supposed to lock closed during a fault so there is no possibility of release during a braking event

[@dialecticalmonist3405]

@@Squat5000Why not just place rubber at the ends, so it becomes a brake?

[@Squat5000]

@@dialecticalmonist3405 because if the system activates the elevator needs to stop and be manually put back into service. There should be no chance of self release

[@dialecticalmonist3405]

@@Squat5000 But how is that any different from the modern mechanical braking system that uses the cable?

[@tatianechinelati469]

Quando vai sair em português?