What is a common safety feature in elevator systems to prevent free fall?

The overspeed governor is a crucial safety feature in elevator systems designed to detect excessive speed and prevent free fall. When an elevator moves faster than its intended speed, the overspeed governor activates, triggering the braking system to engage. This helps to halt the elevator's descent safely, thereby protecting passengers from the risks associated with a free fall situation. By monitoring the speed of the elevator cab, the overspeed governor ensures that the elevator operates within safe parameters, enhancing overall safety.

In contrast, emergency lights are essential for visibility during power outages but do not prevent free fall. Power backup systems provide a backup source of electricity to keep the elevator operational during a power failure, ensuring passengers can safely exit. Manual override switches allow operators to control the elevator in certain situations but do not inherently prevent excessive speed or free fall. Each of these features plays its own distinct role in elevator safety, but the overspeed governor is specifically focused on speed regulation and fall prevention.