COP & LOP Panels — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a COP and an LOP?
A COP (car operating panel) is mounted inside the elevator cabin and contains destination floor buttons, door open/close buttons, emergency alarm, intercom, overload indicator, and key switches. An LOP (landing operating panel) is mounted at each floor landing and contains the hall call buttons (up/down) and, in some configurations, a floor indicator display. In destination control systems, the LOP is replaced by a destination entry terminal that collects the target floor before the passenger boards.
What emergency communication standards apply to COP panels?
EN 81-28 requires a two-way voice communication system in every elevator car, connecting to a permanently attended monitoring centre or emergency rescue service within 30 seconds of activation. The emergency button must be yellow, marked with a bell symbol, and located between 900 mm and 1100 mm from the floor — accessible to wheelchair users. Turkish installations must also comply with the Ministry of Labour's elevator regulations specifying that the call must be answered within 30 minutes to initiate passenger rescue.
Can COP panels be customised for specific architectural finishes?
Yes. Turkish panel manufacturers offer OEM customisation including faceplate material (AISI 304/316 stainless steel, brass, aluminium, glass), surface finish (hairline, mirror, brushed, powder-coat), button cap shape and illumination colour, logo engraving or embossing, and custom display bezel profiles. MOQ for custom finishes is typically 10–20 units, making bespoke panels economically viable for mid-size residential and hotel projects.
How do serial-bus COP systems simplify elevator modernisation?
In traditional relay-wired systems, the COP connects to the controller via a large multi-core cable with up to 50–80 conductors for a 20-floor elevator. A CAN-bus COP uses a 4-wire cable (power + bus), reducing cable cost and installation time dramatically. During modernisation, the new CAN COP connects to the replacement controller with minimal wiring changes, allowing cabin panel renewal without replacing the full wiring loom — a significant saving in occupied buildings where cable access is restricted.