Failures Caused by Aging Elevator Traveling Cables
In an elevator system, the traveling cable is responsible for signal transmission, power supply, and communication connections. It is one of the core elevator components linking the car to the control system. However, in daily operation, traveling cables are often overlooked because they are “out of sight and out of reach.” Once aging occurs, they can trigger a series of complex and hidden failures.
As a professional elevator and escalator parts supplier, A-FLY has found through numerous maintenance and modernization projects that aging traveling cables are often one of the root causes behind recurring elevator faults that are difficult to completely resolve.
1. Unstable Signal Transmission and Frequent False Faults
Traveling cables typically contain multiple control cores, communication wires, and shielding layers. As service life increases, conductor fatigue and insulation aging can lead to signal attenuation or intermittent interruptions. This may result in floor signal loss, unresponsive buttons, and abnormal door operator alarms.
2. Abnormal Car Lighting and Display Systems
When the power cores inside the traveling cable age or develop poor contact, common symptoms include flickering car lights and black screens or unstable brightness on COP/HOP displays. These issues are often misdiagnosed as display module or power board failures, while the real cause lies in the traveling cable.
3. Random Elevator Shutdowns During Operation
Aging traveling cables bend repeatedly as the elevator runs, making them prone to “intermittent breaks” at specific positions. This can cause the elevator to stop suddenly at certain floors or travel sections, then return to normal after a reset—greatly increasing troubleshooting difficulty.
4. Unstable Communication Systems Affecting Smart Functions
In elevators using serial communication or bus systems, the shielding performance of the traveling cable is especially important. When the shielding layer ages or is damaged, electromagnetic interference can be introduced, leading to noisy intercom systems, remote monitoring disconnections, or abnormal data transmission.
5. Accelerated Wear of Other Elevator Components
Long-term signal instability increases the workload on control boards, door operator systems, and other elevator parts, causing frequent misoperations. This indirectly shortens the service life of related components and raises overall maintenance costs.
6. When Should You Consider Replacing the Traveling Cable?
If an elevator has been in service for many years, experiences random faults, shows no clear improvement after repeated repairs, or the traveling cable outer sheath appears hardened, cracked, or twisted, it is recommended to prioritize evaluation and replacement of the traveling cable instead of repeatedly changing other parts.
A-FLY Professional Recommendation
.A-FLY provides a wide range of high-flexibility, anti-interference elevator traveling cables and related elevator component solutions. Our products are suitable for various control systems and operating environments, helping customers reduce faults at the source and improve elevator stability and safety.
