Elevators & Escalators
Quality in Motion
History of the Elevator Mitsubishi Monumental Elevators Elevator Structure and Equipment Basic Operations Emergency Operations Systems Special Features Glossary
Elevators
Glossary
Terms and definitions related to Mitsubishi Electric elevators.
A C D E F G H I L M N O P R S T U V
A
Term
Definition
3D Multi-Beam Door Sensor A safety device to prevent passengers from being caught by the doors, using multiple infrared light beams emitted to the hall in addition to those used for the MBS. The doors reverse and open if the beams are blocked or if a passenger or baggage is detected in the hall while the doors are closing. Detection toward the hall is deactivated immediately before the doors are completely closed.
Alarm Button An emergency button provided on the Car Operating Panel. An alarm sounds when pressed to notify building personnel that an abnormality has occurred.
Attendant Service Operation Exclusive operation conducted by an elevator operator with the buttons and switches in the Service Cabinet, ensuring smooth boarding and exiting of passengers or baggage.
Attendant Service Switch A switch located in the Service Cabinet used to switch between Attendant Service Operation and automatic operation.
Attentive Announcement
(AAN - B)
A device that alerts passengers of improper operation such as overloading of a car, by voice or sound to the passengers inside the car.
Automatic Bypass
(ABP)
A function where a car automatically bypasses Hall Calls when fully loaded.
Auxiliary Car Operating Panel
(ACS)
An auxiliary Car Operating Panel additionally provided in a large-capacity car or for wheelchair users, to enhance easy access to the Car Operating Panel.
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B
C
Terms
Explanation
Call A signal memorized in a controller, which instructs the car to make stops at the floors called by Car Buttons (Car Calls) or by Hall Call Buttons (Hall Calls).
Car A generic term to represent a cabin or enclosure where passengers or baggage board.
Car Arrival Chime
(AECC / AECH)
A chime to indicate that a car will soon arrive.
Car Button A button located on the Car Operating Panel or Hall Operating Panel to register Calls for destination floors. With the Hall Operating Panel, both Car Calls and Hall Calls can be registered simultaneously. Those provided on the Hall Operating Panel are called Destination Floor Buttons.
Car Call A signal memorized in a controller, which instructs the car to make stops at the floors called by Car Buttons.
Car Call Canceling
(CCC)
A function where Car Calls that have been made for bypassed floors and are still effective when the car arrives at the last floor are regarded as mistakes and collectively cancelled.
Car Call Erase
(FCC-P)
A function where registration of a Car Call can be cancelled by pressing the same Car Button twice consecutively when the wrong Car Button has been pressed.
Car Light / Fan Shut Off - Automatic (CLO-A / CFO-A) An energy-saving function where the car ventilation fan and car lighting are automatically turned off when a car is not used for a certain length of time.
Car Operating Panel A device mounted inside a car, on which the items necessary for car operation such as Car Buttons, Door Open/Close Buttons, Alarm Button, and Inter Communication System are located. Some panels are provided with switches and buttons that are used by elevator operators and others, inside the Service Cabinet.
Car Prediction Chime A single-tone chime of the Immediate Prediction Indication (AIL, an optional function for the sigmaAI-2200 group control system) to indicate which car will arrive when a Hall Call Button is pressed.
Continuity of Service
(COS)
A function where a car experiencing problems is automatically withdrawn from group control operation to maintain overall group performance.
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D
Terms
Explanation
Destination Floor
The floor to which a passenger wishes to travel in a car by registering a Car Call.
Destination Floor Indicator An indicator for Destination Oriented Prediction System (DOAS), which indicates the floors to be served. This indicator is mounted only on the floor where the Hall Operating Panel is mounted.
Destination Oriented
Prediction System
(DOAS)
An optional function for the sigmaAI-2200 group control system. To enhance operating efficiency, Hall Operating Panels are mounted in designated halls, and the cars are allocated to different destination floors.
Direction Indicator
An indicator located on the Car Operating Panel, Hall Lantern or Position Indicator, that indicates traveling direction of a car.
Door Close Button A button located on the Car Operating Panel to close the doors, used when doors need to be closed before they close automatically.
Door Load Detector
(DLD)
A safety device to detect excessive load on opening or closing doors. The doors reverse when the door motor torque exceeds a certain limit.
Door Nudging Feature
(NDG)
A function where doors close automatically along with a warning voice and a sound when the doors have been kept from closing for a certain length of time.
Door Open Button A button located on the Car Operating Panel to open the doors, used when closing doors need to be opened.
Door Sensor Self-Diagnosis
(DODA)
A function to diagnose the failure of non-contact car door safety devices such as the Safety Ray (SR) or Multi-Beam Door Sensor (MBS), and to reduce the door closing speed in case of abnormality in order to ensure passenger safety.
Door Switch A maintenance switch located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel, used to set or deactivate automatic open and close operation of car doors.
Down Button
A button located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel, which is used mainly during Attendant Service Operation. The traveling direction reverses from upward to downward when pressed after the car has stopped.
Down Collective Operation
(DC)
Fully automatic operation for residential and other buildings, where only one car operates. Unlike Selective Collective Operation, Hall Calls can be made only toward the main floor.
Down Hall Call Button A Hall Call Button located in a hall to register downward Hall Calls.
Down Peak Service
(DPS)
Service to increase downward transportation capacity to minimize the bypassing of Hall Calls due to a full load when the downward traffic toward a main floor intensifies during a certain time period such as work quitting time.
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E
Terms
Explanation
Elevator A device to transport people and baggage in a car that ascends and descends under power.
Emergency Car Lighting
(ECL)
Car lighting that turns on automatically upon power failure to illuminate the inside of a car using a battery for Emergency Car Lighting.
Emergency Operations A generic term to represent Earthquake Emergency Return Operations, Emergency Operations under Power Failure and Fire Emergency Operations.
Emergency Operations under Power Failure Emergency Operations to be started under power failure. The two types of operations are Operation by Emergency Power Source (OEPS) and Operation by Mitsubishi Emergency Landing Device (MELD).
Exclusive Operations A generic term representing non-automatic operations such as Attendance Service Operation, Independent Service Operation, VIP Operation and Hospital Emergency Operation.
Extended Door Open Button
(DKO-TB)
A button located on the Car Operating Panel to extend the door open time, used when extra time is needed for boarding or exiting passengers or baggage.
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F
Terms
Explanation
False Call Canceling - Automatic
(FCC-A)
A function where all Car Calls are cancelled to avoid unnecessary stops if the number of Car Calls registered does not correspond to actual car load.
Fan Switch A switch located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel to turn ventilation fan mounted on the car ceiling on and off.
Fire Emergency Operations A generic term representing Fire Emergency Return Operation (FER) and Fireman’s Emergency Operation (FE).
Fire Emergency Return Operation
(FER)
One of the Fire Emergency Operations activated by fire signals from sensors or by a switch on the Supervisory Panel, where all cars automatically return to the Evacuation Floor to ensure passenger safety.
Fireman’s Emergency Operation
(FE)
One of the Fire Emergency Operations that is started in case of fire using the Fireman’s Emergency Operation Switch located in a hall. After the car has arrived at the Return Floor, the car can be used exclusively for fire fighting and rescue operations.
Forced Floor Stop
(FFS)
A function where all cars automatically stop at a predetermined floor on every trip without being called.
Fully Automatic Group Control System
(sigmaAI-22 and sigmaAI-2200 group control)
A group control system where multiple elevators are controlled as a group and respond to changing traffic efficiently.
sigmaAI-22 and sigmaAI-2200 are registered trademarks of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
sigmaAI-22: Selective Collective Operation with additional functions for small to medium size buildings.
sigmaAI-2200: A group control system of the highest grade with the most advanced technology for medium to large size buildings.
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G
H
Terms
Explanation
Hall Buttons A device which includes Hall Call Buttons, or Hall Call Buttons and Hall Out of Service Switch.
Hall Call A signal memorized in a controller, which instructs the car to make stops at the floors called by Hall Call Buttons.
Hall Call Button A button mounted in each hall to register Hall Calls. There are Up Hall Call Buttons and Down Hall Call Buttons.
Hall Lantern An indicator mounted in a hall to indicate the traveling direction of a car.
Hall Operating Panel An operating panel for the Destination Oriented Prediction System (DOAS) mounted in the hall of a specified floor. Includes Destination Floor Buttons to register both Hall Calls and Car Calls, as well as the Car No. Indicators to indicate the number of the car to serve the destination floor.
Hall Out of Service Switch An Out of Service Switch located below the Hall Buttons or the Hall Position Indicator with Hall Call Buttons, used to take an elevator out of service at the floor where the Hall Out of Service Switch is located.
Hoistway A vertical opening enclosed with walls where elevator cars ascend and descend.
Hospital Emergency Operation
(HE-B)
Exclusive Operation where the car responds only to Car Calls to transport sick or injured persons.
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I
Terms
Explanation
Independent Service Operation
(IND)
Exclusive Operation where a certain car is withdrawn from group control operation for independent use such as maintenance or repair. Because the car responds only to Car Calls, this operation is effective for transporting baggage or parcels only between certain floors for such purposes as moving in or out of a building.
Independent Service Switch A switch located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel to switch between Independent Service Operation and automatic operation.
Inspection Switch A maintenance switch provided in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel to switch between manual operation and automatic operation.
Inter Communication System
(Interphone, ITP)
A communication system installed inside a car and in a monitor room that enables communication between passengers inside the car and building personnel in the monitor room.
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J
K
L
Terms
Explanation
LCD Information Display
(Car) (CID)
LCD information display mounted inside a car that indicates the current date and time, car position and traveling direction, information on elevator operation and customized messages. Images can also be displayed using a data input device. Building personnel can change date and time and customized messages, as well as colors, in real time as desired, from a security room.
LCD Information Display
(Hall) (HID)
LCD information display mounted in a hall that indicates the current date and time, car position and traveling direction, direction of Hall Calls (same function as Hall Lantern), as well as information on elevator operation and customized messages. Images can also be displayed using a data input device. Building personnel can change date and time and customized messages, as well as colors, in real time as desired, from a security room.
LCD Position Indicator
(CID-S)
LCD information display mounted inside a car on the Car Operating Panel that indicates the date and time, current car position and traveling direction.
Light Switch A switch located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel to turn the Car Lighting on and off.
Lunchtime Service
(LTS)
Service where Calls made toward restaurant floors are given higher priority during the first half of lunchtime. During the latter half, cars operate based on the predicted traffic data for the restaurant floors.
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M
Terms
Explanation
Main Floor Parking
(MFP)
A function where a car automatically parks at the main floor with its doors open if one or more cars are not being used due to slow traffic.
Mitsubishi Emergency Landing Device
(MELD)
A device that moves and stops a car at the nearest floor upon power failure, using a battery. MELD is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
Multi-Beam Door Sensor
(MBS)
A safety device to prevent passengers from being caught by the doors, using multiple infrared light beams mounted along the entire length of car door edge. The doors reverse and open if the beams are blocked during door closing.
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N
Terms
Explanation
Next Landing
(NXL)
In the event that doors do not fully open at the destination floor, this function automatically moves the car to the nearest floor, where the doors will open.
Non-Service to Specific Floors Switch
(Car Operating Panel, NS-CB)
A switch located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel, with which Non-Service to Specific Floors can be set for any desired floors. This function is automatically deactivated during Emergency Operations.
Non-Service to Specific Floors Switch
(Key switch, timer, NS/NS-T)
A function to activate or deactivate Non-Service to Specific Floors with a switch mounted in each hall or on the Supervisory Panel, or with a timer built inside the controller. This function is automatically deactivated during Emergency Operations.
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O
Terms
Explanation
One Car Selective Collective Operation
(1C-2BC)
Fully automatic Selective Collective Operation where only one car operates. An Up Hall Call Button and Down Hall Call Button are provided in each hall. The car responds to the Hall and Car Calls made in its traveling direction, and automatically reverses its direction after arriving at the last-served floor to respond to the calls made in the other direction.
Operating Panel A device for operating elevators, installed in a hall or inside a car, and onto which Car Buttons are mounted.
Operation Key A key to operate the Out of Service Switch, the switches on the Supervisory Panel and those in the Service Cabinet. Also used to open the Service Cabinet.
Operation by Emergency Power Source
(OEPS)
Emergency Operation where elevators are operated with an emergency power source during power failure.
Option Indicator An indicator to indicate overload or emergency messages according to customer's request. Those installed in a hall indicate elevator conditions such as OUT OF SERVICE, IN USE and FULL, and those installed inside a car indicate OVER LOAD, FE: RESERVED OPERATION, as well as Emergency Operations such as MELD, EER, FER and FE.
Overload Holding Stop
(OLH)
A device to keep car doors open when the car is overloaded. A warning voice and sound are provided.
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P
Terms
Explanation
Pass Button A button located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel, used mainly during Attendant Service Operation. The car bypasses Hall Calls when this button is pressed during the Attendant Service Operation.
Pit A part of the hoistway situated below the lowest floor served by a car.
Pit Access Door A door to enter a pit located on a wall around the pit. Provided only when the pit is deep.
Position Indicator
An indicator to indicate the car’s current position, or a device to which such an indicator is mounted. Those installed in a hall may include Hall Call Buttons or a Direction Indicator in addition to the Position Indicator.
Primary Wave
Earthquake Emergency Return Operation
(EER-P)
An Earthquake Emergency Return Operation where all cars travel to the nearest floors and the doors open to ensure passenger safety when primary waves have been detected.
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Q
R
Terms
Explanation
Remote Out of Service Switch
(Remote-Control Car Stop, RCS)
An Out of Service Switch provided on the Supervisory Panel and elsewhere, to take an elevator out of service on a specified floor. Its function is the same as that of the Hall Out of Service Switch.
Reopen with Hall Button
(ROHB)
A function to open closing doors by pressing the Hall Call Button for the direction the car is traveling.
Repeated Door Close
(RDC)
A function where doors continue opening and closing to remove an object from the sills when the object is preventing the doors from closing.
Return Operation Switch A switch located on the Supervisory Panel and elsewhere, to withdraw a car from group control operation and have the car park at a specific floor with its doors open. The car does not respond to any Car or Hall Calls once it has parked.
Rope Stretch Re-leveling
(RSRL/ARL)
A function that brings a car level with the floor with the car doors open, if the car is stopped within the landing zone, in the event that there is a gap between the car and the hall floor due to varying load or other factors.
Run-Stop Switch A switch located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel, to take an elevator out of service mainly during maintenance.
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S
Terms
Explanation
Safe Landing
(SFL)
A function that automatically moves a car to the nearest floor at a low speed, and stops the car with the doors open, in the event that the car has stopped between floors due to malfunction and if the controller has diagnosed it safe to operate the car.
Safety Door Edges
(SDE)
A safety device mounted along the entire length of the car door edges that prevents passengers from being caught by the doors. If closing doors contact a passenger or other object, they reverse and open.
Safety Ray
(SR)
A safety device to prevent passengers from being caught by the doors using one or two pairs of transmitters and receptors mounted on the rear surface of car doors or on both sides of the car entrance. The doors reverse and open when beams are blocked during door closing.
Second Car Prediction
(TCP)
A function where the Hall Lantern of a departing car flashes and the Hall Lantern of the next car remains illuminated to inform passengers in a hall which car is departing and which car will serve next. This function is used when the floor is crowded to an extent that one car cannot accommodate all passengers, during busy times such as morning commute time.
Secondary Wave
Earthquake Emergency Return Operation
(EER-P)
An Earthquake Emergency Return Operation where all cars travel to the nearest floors and the doors open to ensure passenger safety when secondary waves have been detected.
Secret Call Floor Switch A switch located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel, to make registration of Car Calls for specific floors possible only by entering secret codes consisting of three numbers using the Car Buttons. This function is deactivated automatically during Emergency Operations.
Service Cabinet A cabinet located on the Car Operating Panel, which contains switches and buttons to perform Exclusive Operations and others. The Service Cabinet is provided with all Car Operating Panels, but buttons and switches inside are optional features provided only upon request.
Sonic Car Button - Click Type A Car Button that emits an electronic sound when pressed.
Strategic Overall Assignment
(Distributed parking)
Operation where cars are distributed to the upper, middle and lower parts of the building to enhance service efficiency according to predicted traffic.
Supervisory Panel
(WP)
A device to monitor the elevator operational status in a monitor room. Operations such as Emergency Operations can be controlled with the switches provided on the Supervisory Panel.
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T
Terms
Explanation
Two-Car Selective Collective Operation
(2C-2BC)
Fully automatic Selective Collective Operation where two cars operate. Up Hall Call Buttons and Down Hall Call Buttons are provided in each hall. Each car operates in connection with the other car and responds to the Hall Calls that have been bypassed by the other car.
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U
Terms
Explanation
Ultrasonic Door Sensor
(USDS)
A safety device to prevent passengers from being caught by the doors, using ultrasonic waves that detect passengers around the car entrance. The doors reverse and open if a passenger or baggage in a hall is detected during door closing. The detection is deactivated immediately before the doors are completely closed.
Unlocking Key A key to unlock the hall doors for maintenance or other purposes.
Up Button A button located in the Service Cabinet of the Car Operating Panel, which is used mainly during Attendant Service Operation. The traveling direction reverses from downward to upward when the button is pressed after the car has stopped.
Up Hall Call Button A Hall Call Button mounted in a hall to register upward Hall Calls.
Up Peak Service
(UPS)
Service to increase upward transportation capacity by increasing the number of cars allocated to the main floor, when the upward traffic from the main floor intensifies during a certain time period such as morning commuting time.
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V
Terms
Explanation
VIP Operation
(VIP-S)
Exclusive Operation where a specified car can be used only by VIPs such as company executives. When a VIP Switch located in a reception room or on the Supervisory Panel is activated, a specified car is withdrawn from group control operation, responds only to the Car Calls already made, travels to a specified floor (a floor for an executive room or parking lots), and parks at the floor with the doors open. While the VIP Operation is activated, the car responds only to Car Calls.
Voice Guidance System
(AAN - G)
A device that provides voice guidance to the passengers inside a car, on elevator operation and other information such as current floors or traveling direction.
W
X
Y
Z

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