Elevator Mechanic Practice Exam

What holds a stopped hydraulic elevator?

1. Brake system

2. Check valve

3. Governor

4. Retaining spring

The correct answer is: Check valve

The correct answer is the check valve. In hydraulic elevators, the check valve is a crucial component that ensures the hydraulic fluid does not flow back into the reservoir when the elevator is stopped. This mechanism effectively holds the elevator in place, preventing it from descending due to gravity. The check valve allows the system to maintain the necessary pressure, which keeps the elevator suspended until the commands are issued to move either up or down. The other components, while essential to elevator functioning, serve different purposes. The brake system is responsible for stopping the elevator and holding it during a temporary stop, but it is not the primary means used to prevent downward movement when the elevator is fully stopped. The governor is primarily responsible for detecting overspeed conditions and activating the safety mechanisms, while the retaining spring typically assists with the return of components rather than holding the elevator in a stopped position.