How to Choose Compensation Chains and Matters for Installation

There are several types of compensation chains on the market:

1. Rope-through compensation chain, which is a primitive type of compensation chain, can only be used for elevators with a speed of 1.75m/s or less. The structure involves threading hemp rope through an iron chain. This type of compensation chain generates significant noise due to friction and collision between the chains during operation, and passengers experience a noticeable shaking sensation inside the car. The advantage is its low cost, but most elevator companies have discontinued its use.

2. Plastic-coated compensation chain, to reduce the noise generated by the rope-through compensation chain during operation and to slow down the corrosion of the iron chain by the environment, a layer of PVC tube is wrapped around the rope-through compensation chain, forming a plastic-coated compensation chain. Compared to the rope-through compensation chain, the noise during operation of the plastic-coated compensation chain is greatly reduced, and it is more aesthetically pleasing, but improvements are still needed in terms of flexibility and durability.

3. Fully plastic compensation chain, suitable for high-speed elevators up to 6m/s, with a cable-like PVC structure, the elevator operation can achieve a smooth and quiet effect, favored by many large elevator companies.

After determining the type of balance compensation chain, the number of compensation chains and the installation method must also be considered. Generally, first, determine the weight of the compensation chain by subtracting the weight of the traveling cable from the weight of the traction rope, then determine the weight per meter of the compensation chain, and finally select from the manufacturer's range of compensation chains. Professional compensation chain manufacturers usually have flexible weight selection schemes. There is an allowable error range in the calculation of the weight per meter of the compensation chain. Within the error range, there are two options: either to use two compensation chains with a lighter weight per meter or one compensation chain with a heavier weight per meter. This mainly depends on the layout of the buffers in the elevator system. If there is one buffer under the car and one under the counterweight, or two buffers under the car and one under the counterweight, then using two compensation chains is more appropriate; if there are two buffers under both the car and the counterweight, then one compensation chain should be used.

The installation of elevator compensation chains varies due to different structural types of compensation chains. Ordinary compensation chains, i.e., rope-through compensation chains and plastic-coated compensation chains, have a simpler structure and are mostly used for low-height, low-speed elevators, so the installation method is also simpler. The ends of the compensation chain are connected to the car bottom frame and the counterweight with suspension devices, and a guide device composed of two polyvinyl chloride wheels is set up at the bottom of the pit under the counterweight.

For fully plastic compensation chains, which are often used in high-rise, high-speed elevators, the installation is more complex. The ends of the compensation chain are connected to the car bottom frame and the counterweight with suspension devices. A guide device is set up in the pit, installed about 1 meter above the compensation chain's bending radius at the bottom of the pit. There are two guide devices under each compensation chain, one installed on the car side via a bracket and the other on the counterweight side via a bracket. Generally, compensation chain manufacturers will have matching installation accessories and tools. Only by using the correct installation tools and methods can the compensation chain operate normally with the elevator.