Imagine this: You step into a lift on the 10th floor of your office building. The doors close. And then — darkness. The power goes out, the lift shudders to a halt, and you’re stuck somewhere between floors with no idea what to do next.
It happens more often than you’d think — especially in Indian cities like Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida where power fluctuations are common. But here’s the thing: this situation is 100% preventable with the right lift maintenance practices and safety systems in place.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly why lifts stop during power failure, how the Amerson India (Automatic Rescue Device) works, what an emergency rescue operation looks like, and — most importantly — what kind of preventive lift maintenance keeps your elevator running safely even when the grid goes down.
Why Do Lifts Stop During a Power Failure?
Before we talk about solutions, let’s understand the problem.
A modern elevator is an electrically powered machine. The lift motor, control panel, door sensors, lighting, and safety systems all run on mains electricity. The moment there’s a power cut — even a brief one — the lift loses the power it needs to operate.
Most lifts are designed with a fail-safe principle: when in doubt, stop and hold. This means the brake system automatically engages and holds the cabin in place. This is actually a safety feature, not a flaw. You don’t want an elevator free-falling because the power went out.
However, the problem arises when the cabin stops between floors — not at a landing. In that case, passengers are trapped with no way out on their own.
Common reasons lifts stop during power cuts:
- No backup power system installed
- Battery backup is old, drained, or not maintained
- Amerson India system is faulty or absent
- UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) not connected to the lift circuit
- Poor lift maintenance leading to battery degradation over time
This is why preventive lift maintenance isn’t just about keeping the elevator smooth — it’s directly tied to passenger safety during emergencies.
What Is an Amerson India System (Automatic Rescue Device)?
The Automatic Rescue Device (Amerson India) is one of the most important safety systems in a modern elevator. It is specifically designed to solve the power failure problem.
Here’s how it works in simple terms:
When a power failure occurs, the Amerson India system automatically kicks in within a few seconds. It uses stored battery power to drive the lift motor just enough to move the cabin slowly to the nearest floor landing. Once there, the lift doors open automatically, allowing passengers to exit safely.
No technician needed. No emergency call required. The whole process is automatic.
How Does Amerson India Work — Step by Step?
- Power failure detected — The Amerson India’s control unit senses the loss of mains power instantly.
- Battery power activated — The onboard lift battery system takes over.
- Motor drives at low speed — The lift motor runs at a reduced, safe speed toward the nearest floor.
- Cabin levels at landing — The elevator stops precisely at the floor level (no dangerous gaps).
- Doors open automatically — Passengers can walk out safely.
- System goes into standby — The Amerson India waits for mains power to restore before resuming normal operation.
The entire rescue sequence typically takes 30 to 90 seconds. That’s the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major emergency.
IGBT-Based Amerson India vs Traditional Amerson India — Which Is Better?
If you’re evaluating lift maintenance contracts or upgrading your elevator safety system, you’ll often come across the term IGBT-based Amerson India. Here’s what it means and why it matters.
IGBT stands for Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor — a type of electronic switching component. IGBT-based Amerson India systems offer several advantages over older, relay-based Amerson India units:
| Feature | Traditional Amerson India | IGBT-Based Amerson India |
| Speed control | Basic / jerky | Smooth & precise |
| Energy efficiency | Lower | Higher |
| Heat generation | More | Significantly less |
| Battery drain | Faster | Slower |
| Reliability | Moderate | High |
| Maintenance frequency | More often | Less frequent |
For commercial buildings, hospitals, hotels, and high-traffic residential towers, IGBT-based Amerson India systems are the recommended choice. They last longer, perform better, and reduce your overall lift maintenance cost over time.
Elevator Battery Backup & UPS System — What’s the Difference?
People often confuse these two systems, but they serve different purposes in elevator safety.
Lift UPS System (Uninterruptible Power Supply)
A UPS is designed to provide immediate, seamless power the moment mains electricity fails — similar to how a UPS protects your computer. In elevators, a UPS keeps essential systems like lighting, alarm buttons, ventilation fans, and communication systems running during a power cut. It does not typically power the motor to move the lift.
Elevator Battery Backup / Amerson India Battery
This is the dedicated battery inside the Amerson India system that powers the lift motor specifically for rescue operation. It’s designed for short, high-power bursts rather than long continuous use.
Why Both Need Regular Lift Maintenance
Both systems rely on batteries — and batteries degrade over time. A backup battery that hasn’t been tested or replaced in 3–4 years may have less than 30% of its original capacity. When you actually need it during a power failure, it simply won’t perform.
A proper lift maintenance checklist should always include:
- Battery voltage and charge level testing
- Load test of the Amerson India system (simulate a power cut)
- UPS battery health check
- Inspection of all wiring connections to the backup system
- Calibration of the Amerson India control unit
This is exactly the kind of preventive lift maintenance that separates a safe elevator from a liability.
Emergency Rescue Operation — What Happens If Amerson India Fails?
In an ideal world, the Amerson India works every time. But what if the Amerson India system is faulty, the batteries are dead, or the building has an older lift without Amerson India at all?
That’s when a manual emergency rescue operation is needed. Here’s how it works:
Step-by-Step Emergency Rescue Procedure
Step 1 — Communicate with trapped passengers The first priority is to contact the people inside via the intercom or emergency alarm. Reassure them that help is coming and tell them to stay calm and away from the doors.
Step 2 — Cut power at the main switch A trained technician ensures the elevator is electrically isolated before any manual intervention. This is critical for safety.
Step 3 — Use the manual release key Every elevator has a manual door release key (kept with building management or the lift technician). This unlocks the shaft door at the nearest floor.
Step 4 — Manual lowering or raising The technician uses a hand wheel or brake release lever in the machine room to slowly move the cabin to the nearest landing by hand.
Step 5 — Open cabin and shaft doors Once the cabin is level with the floor, both the cabin door and landing door are opened, and passengers exit.
Step 6 — Document and report Every entrapment incident must be logged, and the root cause investigated — ideally by your lift maintenance company.
This entire process should take no more than 15–30 minutes if a trained team is on call. This is why 24-hour lift call-out service is a must-have in any elevator maintenance contract.
Preventive Lift Maintenance Checklist for Power Safety
The best emergency is the one that never happens. Here’s a practical lift maintenance checklist focused on power failure preparedness:
Monthly checks:
- Test Amerson India system with a simulated power cut
- Check battery charge levels on Amerson India and UPS
- Inspect intercom and alarm button functionality
- Verify emergency lighting is working inside the cabin
Quarterly checks:
- Full Amerson India load test (actual motor drive test on battery)
- Inspect all electrical wiring and connection points
- Check lift control panel for error codes or warnings
- Lubricate motor and mechanical components
- Inspect lift brake system for wear
Annual checks:
- Replace Amerson India batteries if capacity has dropped below 80%
- Full inspection of lift motor and drive system
- Review and update emergency rescue documentation
- Conduct a lift safety inspection per applicable regulations
- Review and renew your lift AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract)
A reliable elevator AMC provider will cover all of these automatically as part of your service agreement — so nothing slips through the cracks.
Lift Maintenance in India — What Building Owners Must Know
In India, lift safety is governed by state-level regulations and bureau standards (BIS). While national standards like IS 14665 provide technical guidelines, enforcement varies by state. However, the fundamental responsibility falls on the building owner or facilities manager.
If your lift causes injury due to poor maintenance or a missing safety system like Amerson India, you are liable.
What to Look for in an Elevator AMC Provider in India
Whether you’re in Delhi NCR, Gurugram, Mumbai, or Bangalore, a good lift maintenance company should offer:
- Scheduled preventive maintenance visits (minimum quarterly)
- 24/7 emergency breakdown response
- Amerson India system testing and certification
- Detailed service reports after every visit
- Trained and certified technicians
- Genuine spare parts (especially for battery systems)
- Transparent elevator maintenance cost with no hidden charges
For commercial elevator maintenance in high-rise offices, hospitals, hotels, and retail spaces, the stakes are even higher. Elevator downtime directly impacts business — and passenger entrapment can lead to serious reputational damage.
Common Elevator Problems That Signal Poor Maintenance
Not sure if your lift needs attention? Watch for these warning signs:
- Lift stops between floors frequently — could be Amerson India malfunction or power supply issue
- Doors don’t close properly — door sensor or motor problem
- Unusual vibrations or noise — mechanical wear in motor or guide rails
- Slow response to button presses — control panel or wiring issue
- Lift takes too long to arrive — drive system or controller performance drop
- Emergency alarm not working — critical safety failure
Any of these issues should trigger an immediate call to your lift maintenance contractor — not a “we’ll check it next quarter” response.
Conclusion: Lift Maintenance Is Not Optional — It’s a Safety Commitment
Power failures happen. What matters is whether your lift is prepared for them.
An Amerson India system is only as good as its last maintenance check. A battery backup that’s never been tested is essentially useless. And a building without a reliable lift maintenance contract is a building waiting for an accident.
Whether you’re managing a residential tower, a commercial complex, or an industrial facility, investing in professional, preventive lift maintenance is the single most effective way to protect your passengers, reduce downtime, and stay on the right side of elevator safety regulations in India.
Don’t wait for a power cut to find out your Amerson India doesn’t work.
Looking for a trusted lift maintenance company in Delhi NCR or Gurugram? Ensure your elevator AMC includes Amerson India testing, battery inspection, and 24/7 emergency rescue support. Contact us today for a free lift safety audit.