Elevator Battery Backup UPS Systems

UPDATE: As of 10/01/2020, we now have UL924 listed elevator & lighting battery backup systems that are compatible with both standard elevators and elevators with regenerative power. This systems can be found at the following link: https://www.backupbatterypower.com/collections/ul924-elevator-lighting-battery-backup-systems 

UPDATE - SYSTEMS NOW UL924, UL1778, UL1741, RUN FOR 2 HOURS, AND ARE COMPATIBLE WITH REGENERATIVE ELEVATORS: 

30KVA/24KW/60KWH Regen Compatible Backup System (1 Elevator – Standard): https://www.backupbatterypower.com/products/30kw-elevator-lighting-battery-backup-system-ul924

60KVA/48KW/120KWH Regen Compatible Backup System (2 Elevators Or Larger Elevators): https://www.backupbatterypower.com/products/60kw-120kwh-elevator-lighting-battery-backup-system-ul924

As building code enforcement becomes more aggressive, the need to provide at least 90 minutes of backup power to elevators in multi-story buildings has become essential to passing final inspection. 

Typically, a standby generator has been used to fulfill this requirement, but due to maintenance requirements and new air quality control regulations, the use of UPS (uninterrutible power supply) battery backup systems has been on the rise. 

There are a few extremely important factors that need to be considered when using a UPS/battery backup system as the backup power source for an elevator. These factors are listed below. 

1. There can be no back feed electricity from the elevator. The major elevator manufacturers like to add their “energy saving” regenerative systems to their new elevator installations. This type of regenerative system can not be used with a UPS because it back feeds power to the UPS rather than to the main electrical panel, which causes damage the UPS. 

IMPORTANT: PLEASE HAVE THE ELEVATOR MANUFACTURER CONFIRM IN WRITING THAT THERE IS NO REGENERATIVE POWER INSTALLED ON THE ELEVATOR. IF REGEN POWER IS INSTALLED, THE UPS WILL NOT WORK AS IT WILL GO INTO SHORT CIRCUIT PROTECTION MODE AND SHUT DOWN EVERY TIME THE ELEVATOR REGENERATES POWER.

***UPDATE (01/31/2020): BATTERY BACKUP POWER, INC. NOW HAS MULTIPLE WAYS TO OVERCOME THE REGENERATIVE POWER OBSTACLE, BUT STILL HIGHLY RECOMMENDS USING A NON-REGEN ELEVATOR FOR EASE OF INSTALLATION, MUCH LOWER COST TO IMPLEMENT BACKUP, AND TO MINIMIZE POINTS OF FAILURE IN THE SYSTEM. 

2. The fire inspector will want to see a worksheet stamped by a local or state licensed electrical engineer that shows that the UPS/battery backup system will support the elevator, its accessories, and exhaust fans for at least 90 minutes under maximum load conditions. Battery Backup Power, Inc. can provide battery backup time calculations once we have the electrical specifications, but a local electrical engineer will need to verify and stamp them to satisfy permitting requirements. 

3. As per code, there must be some sort of notification that the elevator is on backup power when utility power is lost. For example, a light that illuminates in the elevator car when the elevator is operating on battery power alone. Battery Backup Power, Inc. includes a dry contact board on the UPS/battery backup system to send the signal. A circuit from the dry contact board to the elevator must be provided/installed by an electrician or the elevator company. 

4. The UPS/battery backup system load capacity needs to be sized to not only handle the normal operating current, but the inrush/peak current of the elevator and any attached device (fans, etc). The UPS/battery backup system must be sized above the peak/inrush current sufficiently to allow proper heat dissipation with continuous use.

5. Some cities require that any battery backup system with 50 or more gallons of electrolyte must be contained in a separate fire rated room. Most UPS/battery backup systems that can support elevators for at least 90 minutes will be at or exceed this threshold. 

6. Every UPS/battery backup system for made for use with an elevator is typically custom built to that specific elevator load requirement. Due to this fact, the UPS/battery backup system may not have a UL certification sticker. Instead, the system will be built to ANSI/UL certification standards using UL breakers and will need a field testing company such as TUV or Intertek to complete a "field certification" of the main UPS/battery backup and associated external battery cabinets to satisfy building permit requirements. After the "field certification inspection", TUV or Intertek will affix a sticker to the system that shows the city inspector that the system complies with ANSI/UL safety standards. This "field inspection" typically runs between $4k and $6k depending on the location and the field certification entity used. 

7. Installation is straight forward and simple for a licensed electrician. Most systems are 208 Volts, 3 Phase, WYE configuration, 5 wires (3 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground) input and output. There are five wires going in from the utility company or main electrical panel and five wires going out to the elevator. Operation after turning the system on is completely automatic. 

This system (see below link) is used for most elevators as it provides over 1 hour 57 minutes of backup time to an average 12kw load (33.35 amps @ 120/208Y 3 Phase). The UPS inverter is 40kw (111.16 amps @ 120/208Y 3 phase) which is large enough to handle the inrush of most elevators. The system is UL listed, so it doesn't require a field inspection. The battery cabinet contains (40) 12VDC 100AH CSB GPL121000 batteries each with 1.15 gallons of electrolyte. Total system electrolyte is 46 gallons.  

Typical elevator backup system (non-regen elevators): https://www.backupbatterypower.com/products/40-kva-40-kw-advanced-digital-3-phase-battery-backup-uninterruptible-power-supply-ups-and-power-conditioner?variant=31208070545504

Battery Specification Sheet: CSB GPL121000 

For assistance with providing an elevator with battery backup power, contact us at (855) 330-7799 or engineering@batterybackuppower.com. 

To browse a selection of UPS / Battery Backup systems that are typically used with elevators or in commercial/industrial applications, please visit our 3 Phase Battery Backup Power UPS collections page.