What safety mechanism prevents the elevator car from falling in case of cable failure?

The mechanical brake or “safety” system is designed specifically to prevent the elevator car from falling in the event of a cable failure. This safety mechanism consists of devices that engage automatically if the elevator is moving faster than normal or if there is an unexpected loss of cable tension. This activation can effectively clamp the elevator car to the rails, preventing it from descending uncontrollably.

Elevators are equipped with multiple safety features, but the mechanical brake plays a crucial role by providing immediate physical resistance to the movement of the car, ensuring passenger safety during critical failures. Other components, such as the emergency lighting system, are essential for visibility during power outages, and the overload indicator serves to prevent the elevator from operating when too much weight is detected, but they do not serve the primary purpose of stopping the car from descending in case of cable failure. The manual override system allows for manual control during emergencies, but does not directly prevent the car from falling.