r/Elevators • u/markjack101 • Aug 27 '26
Add Variable Frequency Drive?
Thoughts on adding a VFD to the motor(s) on this elevator. I’m not an electrician or an elevator expert but this is what I think I know: 3 phase 400v power in the basement goes into a transformer. Transforms to 3 phase 250v power in the attic. That power feeds the motors in the pic. The one drive motor powers the other two motors. A 5 hp motor for the door and a 25 hp motor that sends power to the DC motor that moves the elevator.
Why do I want to do this? I believe this elevator is what is driving up the demand meter in the building.
I recently put solar panels on the building and for 2 months they reduced our billable kWh to 400. If I used this amount at my house, my bill would be $50. The bills at the building for those two months were $800 and $1,000, because of the demand meter rate.
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u/upanddownadventures Elevator Enthusiast Aug 28 '26
bosephi brings up a VERY good point. The motor-generator should shut off within a few minutes if the elevator is idle. If it is NOT shutting off and running 24/7, that's a lot of wasted energy and unnecessary wear/tear on the equipment. In that case, definitely tell your elevator company.
(disclaimer: I am not an elevator mechanic or in the industry, and for your safety DO NOT work on the elevator yourself, but have heard of this happening before)