Permanently installed luminaires in the hoistway that illuminate the shaft for safe maintenance access.
Full Definition
Elevator shaft lighting consists of fixed electric luminaires installed at intervals along the hoistway interior to provide safe illumination for maintenance personnel working in the pit, on the car roof, or during inspection. EN 81-20 clause 5.2.9 requires that the shaft be equipped with permanent electric lighting of at least 50 lux measured at floor level in the pit and at car top level, with a minimum illuminance of 20 lux at intermediate points. Luminaires are spaced to avoid shadows in working areas and must be mechanically protected (impact-rated, minimum IK07) against accidental contact from the moving car or counterweight. The lighting circuit is wired independently of the car lighting circuit and the power circuit, on a dedicated supply taken before the main switch, so that shaft lighting remains on during maintenance even if the main elevator supply is isolated. Switching points are located at the pit access door (with a two-way switch also operable from the top-of-car) and in the machine room or controller cabinet. LED luminaires with long service intervals are now preferred to reduce the maintenance burden. In machine room-less installations, the top-of-shaft luminaire is accessible from the car top for lamp replacement without requiring a separate platform.
