Quick answer
When the power fails, a normal lift stops where it is and its brakes hold the car safely, but anyone inside is stuck until power returns or a technician rescues them. The minimum protection is an automatic rescue device (ARD), which uses a battery to bring the car to the nearest floor and open the doors. To keep the lift running during load shedding, you need a correctly sized generator or a UPS / solar-hybrid system designed for the lift motor.
Load shedding is part of daily life in many Pakistani cities, and lifts are one of the first things people notice when the power goes. In apartment towers, hospitals and plazas, a lift that stops between floors is more than an inconvenience: elderly residents, patients and children can be trapped in a dark cabin. The good news is that there are proven ways to make your lift safe during outages, and in many buildings to keep it running.
What happens to a lift when the power fails?
Modern lifts are designed to fail safe. When power is cut, the brake engages and holds the car in place, so it does not fall. Emergency lighting and the alarm button usually work from a small battery. What the lift cannot do on its own is move to a floor and open its doors. Passengers wait until power returns or a trained technician performs a manual rescue.
That is why the right backup depends on what you need: safe release of passengers, or full operation during outages.
Option 1: Automatic rescue device (ARD)
An ARD is a battery-powered unit connected to the lift controller. When it detects a power failure, it drives the car slowly to the nearest floor and opens the doors so passengers can step out. The lift then stays parked until power returns.
- Best for: every passenger lift, especially homes, apartments and buildings without a lift-sized generator.
- What it does: releases trapped passengers automatically, without waiting for a technician.
- What it does not do: keep the lift in service during load shedding.
- Maintenance: its batteries must be tested and replaced on schedule, which should be part of your maintenance contract.
Option 2: Generator backup
Many plazas, hospitals and apartment towers already run a generator. A lift can run on generator power if the generator is large enough for the lift motor starting load as well as everything else on it, and if the changeover is set up correctly. An undersized generator can trip, cause faults or damage the lift drive.
- Best for: high-rise buildings, hospitals and commercial buildings that must keep at least one lift running.
- Plan for: automatic changeover, correct cable sizing and a lift controller that handles the switch-over cleanly.
- Tip: in buildings with several lifts, many owners run only one or two lifts on generator power to save fuel.
Option 3: UPS or inverter backup
For small home lifts and low-rise buildings, a UPS or inverter-based backup can keep a lift running for a limited time. It must be designed for the lift: lift motors draw a high current when starting, and an ordinary household UPS is often not enough. The backup should be sized by the lift supplier, not guessed.
Option 4: Solar-hybrid systems
Rooftop solar is growing quickly in Pakistan, and many building owners ask whether their lift can run on it. A solar-hybrid system with batteries can supply a lift if the inverter and battery bank are sized for the lift load. Solar on its own cannot run a lift at night or in cloudy weather, so it is normally combined with the grid, batteries or a generator.
Backup options compared
| Option | Keeps lift running? | Releases trapped passengers? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic rescue device (ARD) | No | Yes, automatically | Every passenger lift |
| Generator | Yes, if correctly sized | Yes | Hospitals, plazas, high-rise |
| UPS / inverter (lift-rated) | For a limited time | Yes | Home lifts, low-rise |
| Solar-hybrid with batteries | Yes, if correctly sized | Yes | Buildings already investing in solar |
Lift stops during load shedding?
Ask us which backup suits your lift
Send us your lift type, number of floors and current backup setup. Our engineer will suggest whether an automatic rescue device, a correctly sized UPS, a generator connection or a mix is right for your building.
Choose a lift that uses less power
If you are buying a new lift, efficiency matters as much as backup. Gearless, machine-room-less (MRL) lifts with VVVF drives draw less power than older geared lifts, which makes generator, UPS and solar backup smaller and cheaper. Read more in our guide to energy-efficient elevators, or see the Fuji elevators we supply.
Load shedding and lift breakdowns
Repeated power cuts and voltage fluctuations are a common cause of lift faults in Pakistan, from blown drive components to door problems. Surge protection, correct earthing and regular servicing reduce the risk. Our article on common causes of elevator breakdowns explains what to watch for, and an annual maintenance contract (AMC) keeps backup batteries and safety devices checked.
If you are trapped in a lift
- Stay calm and press the alarm button. The cabin has enough air.
- Call the building guard or the lift company. Hub Elevator runs a 24/7 breakdown line.
- Do not try to force the doors or climb out. Wait for a trained technician.
More tips are in our guide: 5 steps to take if your elevator stops.
Lift stops during load shedding?
Keep people safe when the power goes
Hub Elevator supplies, installs and maintains lifts across Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, with a 24/7 breakdown line for trapped passengers.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ARD in a lift?
An automatic rescue device (ARD) is a battery unit that, during a power failure, moves the lift car to the nearest floor and opens the doors so passengers can get out safely. It does not keep the lift running.
Can a lift run on UPS during load shedding?
Yes, if the UPS or inverter is designed and sized for the lift motor, which draws a high current when starting. A normal household UPS is usually not enough. The backup should be sized by the lift supplier.
Can I run my lift on solar power?
A solar-hybrid system with batteries can supply a lift if the inverter and batteries are sized for the lift load. Solar alone cannot run a lift at night, so it is normally combined with the grid, batteries or a generator.
Is it safe to be inside a lift when the power goes?
Yes. Modern lifts hold the car in place with brakes when power fails. Press the alarm, stay calm and wait for release. An ARD can bring the car to the nearest floor automatically.
