Critical Power Systems -- Australia
Lift and Elevator UPS Systems Australia
Lifts and elevators require a dedicated three-phase UPS system, not a standard backup power supply - lift motors generate regenerative energy when braking that will damage a conventional UPS. Indigi Power and Cooling supplies, installs and maintains specialist lift UPS systems for passenger lifts, evacuation lifts, goods lifts and escalators across Australia, sized for NCC compliance and duty of care requirements under AS1735.
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National service hubs
Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne
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OEM brand certifications
Eaton, Vertiv, APC, PowerShield
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Subcontracted installs
Your job, our team
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Provider for full lifecycle
Supply to maintain
Why Lifts Need a Specialist UPS System
A passenger lift is not the same electrical load as a server rack or an office switchboard. Lift motors are large inductive loads with high inrush current on start, and modern Variable Voltage Variable Frequency (VVVF) drive systems introduce a specific challenge that most building managers are not aware of: regenerative braking.
Key fact: when a traction lift descends with a heavy load or ascends with a light load, the lift motor acts as a generator and feeds regenerative energy back through the VSD toward the power supply. A standard UPS cannot absorb this energy safely. The reverse current causes the internal DC bus voltage to rise above safe operating limits, damaging DC capacitors, the rectifier and the inverter. The UPS will go into short-circuit protection and shut down at exactly the moment it is needed most.
What this means for lift UPS selection:
- Non-regenerative lifts (traction or hydraulic, older VSD) can be supported by a correctly specified three-phase online UPS from brands such as Eaton, APC or Vertiv, sized for motor inrush and full load.
- Regenerative VVVF lifts require either a purpose-built lift UPS with IGBT-controlled braking resistor circuits, a dedicated lift inverter system, or a three-phase UPS specified with external regenerative load management.
- Always confirm with the lift manufacturer whether the drive system is regenerative before specifying any backup power solution.
Duty of Care and Building Compliance
Australian building owners, facility managers and building designers carry a clear duty of care for anyone in their building who cannot use stairs in an emergency. This includes:
- People using wheelchairs or mobility aids
- Elderly or frail occupants
- People with temporary or permanent mobility impairments
- Hospital and healthcare patients who cannot self-evacuate
Under the NCC and AS1735, emergency lifts classified as safety services must have a secondary power source capable of operating the lift during a mains failure. A lift that traps passengers during a power outage is not just a maintenance problem -- it is a safety and legal liability.
The NCC references AS1735 as a deemed-to-satisfy pathway. Under AS1735, where emergency power is connected there must be a 10-second delay before the lift system connects to the emergency supply, an intercom powered by the emergency supply between the lift car and the machine room, and all lift wiring compliant with AS/NZS 3000. Indigi Power and Cooling ensures all lift UPS installations are documented for compliance and building audits.
UPS vs ELPS -- Which Does Your Lift Need?
Two types of secondary power systems are used for lifts in Australia:
| Factor | UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) | ELPS (Emergency Lift Power Supply) |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer time | Zero -- fully online, no interruption | Standby -- activates after power loss detected |
| Protection scope | Continuous -- protects against outages, sags, surges and disturbances | Emergency only -- no protection during normal operation |
| Best for | Buildings where lift continuity during any outage is required | Buildings where evacuation-only backup is the design intent |
| Typical lifespan | 10 to 15 years with maintenance | 10 to 13 years with maintenance |
| AS1735 compliance | Yes, when correctly specified and installed | Yes, when correctly specified and installed |
How to Size a Lift UPS Correctly
Undersizing a lift UPS is a common and costly mistake. The UPS must be able to handle all of the following simultaneously:
| Load Component | Why It Matters for UPS Sizing |
|---|---|
| Lift motor full load current | The baseline load during normal operation. Obtained from the motor nameplate or lift specification. |
| VSD inrush or peak start current | Can be 3 to 8 times the full load current. The UPS must not enter current limiting or trip during this event. |
| Lift cabin lighting and fans | Must remain on during evacuation. Typically 200 to 500W depending on lift size. |
| Intercom and communications | Required by AS1735. Must be powered by the emergency supply between the lift car and machine room. |
| Lift controller and door systems | The electronic control system and door motor must also be included in total load. |
The UPS must be sized above the combined peak current to allow for heat dissipation during continuous evacuation use. Indigi Power and Cooling conducts load assessments before specifying any lift UPS system to ensure correct sizing.
The Regenerative Braking Problem -- and How to Solve It
Modern traction lifts increasingly use VVVF drives with regenerative braking. When the lift decelerates or runs under light load, the motor generates AC power that flows back through the drive. In mains-connected mode, this regenerative energy is fed back to the building grid. During a power outage, however, the grid is gone -- and a standard UPS cannot absorb this returning energy.
The result is a rapid rise in the UPS internal DC bus voltage. The DC bus in a typical three-phase UPS floats at around 405Vdc. Regenerative energy from a VVVF lift drive can push this well above 435Vdc. At this point, the UPS either trips on overvoltage protection or the DC capacitors and inverter components are damaged.
The three accepted solutions are:
- IGBT-controlled braking resistor circuit -- the preferred modern approach. A dedicated regeneration management module monitors the DC bus voltage and, when it rises above the safe threshold, connects resistors via fast-switching IGBTs to dissipate the energy as heat. The module self-deactivates when the voltage drops back to safe levels. This protects the UPS without oversizing.
- Purpose-built lift inverter -- systems such as the Helios Taurus or equivalent use a dedicated lift function with a built-in dry contact that connects a dummy load only when the battery is fully charged and mains is absent, minimising unnecessary loading and extending battery life.
- Disabling the regenerative drive during UPS operation -- via a relay contact that disables the drive's regen function when the UPS is active. This requires coordination with the lift OEM and is only suitable where the lift manufacturer confirms the drive can operate in non-regenerative mode.
Lift UPS Brands and Systems We Supply
We specify lift UPS systems from our stocked range of enterprise UPS platforms, and source specialist lift inverter systems where a regenerative drive requires a dedicated solution:
| Platform | Configuration | Suitable for Regen? | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eaton 93E / 93PM | Three-phase double conversion, dual input, maintenance bypass | With external regen management | 8kVA to 400kVA |
| APC Galaxy VS / VL | Three-phase, modular scalable, high efficiency | With external regen management | 10kVA to 1.5MVA |
| Vertiv Liebert APM / EXS | Three-phase double conversion, N+1 scalable | With external regen management | 10kVA to 1.2MVA |
| Specialist lift inverter | Purpose-built for traction, hydraulic and regenerative VVVF lifts | Yes -- native regen handling | 6kVA to 40kVA |
We assess each lift application individually before specifying a system. Confirm with us whether your lift drive is regenerative before quoting. Contact our team with your lift motor kW rating, drive type and required runtime.
Buildings and Facilities That Need a Lift UPS
Any building where occupants may be unable to evacuate via stairs during a power failure needs a secondary power source for its lifts:
- Hospitals and healthcare facilities -- patients cannot self-evacuate. Lift backup is critical for both patient safety and regulatory compliance under the NCC.
- Aged care and disability facilities -- residents with mobility impairments depend on lifts for evacuation and daily movement.
- Commercial and office buildings -- duty of care applies to any visitor or tenant who cannot use stairs, even in a standard multi-storey office building.
- Hotels and residential apartment buildings -- high-rise occupancy with diverse mobility needs requires reliable lift backup.
- Universities, schools and public facilities -- accessibility compliance and evacuation planning require secondary lift power.
- Retail centres and shopping complexes -- large public footfall with wheelchair access obligations.
- Industrial and logistics facilities -- goods lifts carrying critical loads or operating in facilities with no alternative vertical access.
Indicative Lift UPS Cost Guide
Lift UPS costs vary with motor size, whether the drive is regenerative, required runtime, and number of lifts to be backed up:
| Application | Typical UPS Size | Indicative System Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Small residential or platform lift | 6 to 10kVA | From $8,000 |
| Commercial passenger lift (1 lift) | 10 to 30kVA | From $18,000 |
| Regenerative VVVF lift (regen management included) | 15 to 40kVA | From $25,000 |
| Multiple lifts or high-rise (consultation required) | 30kVA and above | Consultation required |
Figures are indicative and exclude installation, cabling and commissioning. A load assessment is always required before final specification. Contact our team for a fixed quote.
Australian Standards for Lift UPS Systems
| Standard | Relevance to Lift UPS |
|---|---|
| AS1735 | Australian Standard for lifts, escalators and moving walks. Specifies that emergency power must be connected with a 10-second delay and that lift circuits must comply with AS/NZS 3000. Referenced by the NCC as a deemed-to-satisfy standard. |
| AS/NZS 3013 | Applies to lifts classified as safety services in Australia. Emergency lifts must also comply with this standard, which covers wiring systems for safety services. |
| AS/NZS 3000 | Wiring Rules. Governs the electrical connection of the UPS into the lift supply circuit and machine room wiring. |
| National Construction Code (NCC) | The NCC requires that emergency lifts be capable of operation during a power failure. Compliance with AS1735 and AS/NZS 3013 is the primary deemed-to-satisfy pathway. |
All Indigi Power and Cooling lift UPS installations are performed by licensed electrical personnel and include compliance documentation for building audits and insurance purposes.
Lift UPS Supply and Installation by Location
We supply, install and maintain lift UPS systems across Australia from three national service hubs:
Brisbane and QLD
Brisbane CBD, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Townsville, Cairns, regional Queensland
Commercial buildings, hospitals, aged care and residential towers across Southeast Queensland and regional QLD.
Sydney and NSW
Sydney CBD, Parramatta, North Ryde, Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra (ACT)
Office towers, hospitals, residential high-rise, universities and government facilities across NSW and the ACT.
Melbourne and VIC
Melbourne CBD, Dandenong, Geelong, Ballarat, regional Victoria
Healthcare, commercial and residential buildings across Melbourne and Victoria.
Perth and WA
Perth CBD, Fremantle, Mandurah, regional WA
Commercial towers, hospitals and aged care facilities across Western Australia, serviced by our national team.
Adelaide and SA
Adelaide CBD, Port Adelaide, Whyalla, regional SA
Healthcare, government and commercial buildings across South Australia.
Darwin and NT
Darwin CBD, Palmerston, Alice Springs, remote NT
Government, defence and healthcare facilities. Our technicians fly in from Brisbane for NT engagements.
Tasmania: we supply and commission lift UPS systems in Hobart and regional Tasmania. Contact us to discuss scheduling.
Why Choose Indigi Power and Cooling
Lift-specific load assessment
We assess motor rating, drive type, inrush current and runtime requirements before specifying any system.
Regenerative drive expertise
We understand the regen back-EMF problem and specify systems that handle it safely, not standard UPS units that will fail.
OEM-certified technicians
Trained on Eaton, Vertiv, APC and PowerShield platforms. Installation is by our own team, not subcontractors.
Compliance documentation
Full written handover report for building audits, insurance and NCC compliance records.
Ongoing maintenance
Scheduled maintenance agreements including battery testing and operational testing to confirm the system will work when activated.
Indigenous and Veteran-owned
Supply Nation and ICN Gateway registered. A compliant supplier for government, defence and Indigenous procurement.
Lift and Elevator UPS FAQs
Do lifts and elevators need a UPS system in Australia?
Yes. Under the National Construction Code and AS1735, emergency lifts classified as safety services must have a secondary power source capable of operating the lift during a mains power failure. Building owners also carry a duty of care for occupants who cannot use stairs, making lift backup a compliance and liability requirement.
Can a standard UPS be used for a lift with a regenerative drive?
No. A standard UPS will be damaged by a regenerative lift drive. Regenerative energy from the lift motor causes the UPS DC bus voltage to exceed safe limits, damaging capacitors, the rectifier and the inverter. A lift UPS must include a braking resistor circuit, IGBT-controlled regeneration management, or a dedicated lift inverter that handles regenerative back-EMF safely.
What is the difference between a UPS and an ELPS for lifts?
A UPS provides immediate, seamless power with zero transfer time, protecting the lift continuously against outages, sags and surges. An ELPS is a standby system that activates only when mains power is lost, designed specifically for evacuation. A UPS protects continuously; an ELPS only activates in an emergency. Both can satisfy AS1735 requirements depending on building type and lift classification.
What size UPS does a lift need?
Lift UPS sizing must account for the motor full load current, VSD inrush or peak start current (which can be 3 to 8 times full load), lift cabin lighting, ventilation fans, intercom, and control systems. The UPS must sustain all of these simultaneously at peak, not just the motor nameplate rating.
What Australian Standards apply to lift UPS systems?
The key standards are AS1735 (lift design and emergency power requirements), AS/NZS 3013 (wiring systems for safety services, including emergency lifts) and AS/NZS 3000 (Wiring Rules for the electrical installation). The NCC references AS1735 as the primary deemed-to-satisfy pathway.
How long does a lift UPS need to run on battery?
Runtime depends on building type, lift classification and the authority having jurisdiction. Most Australian commercial building lift UPS systems are sized for 30 to 90 minutes of full-load battery runtime. Hospitals, high-rise buildings and facilities serving people with disabilities typically require longer runtimes confirmed at design stage.
Does a lift UPS need maintenance?
Yes. A lift UPS must be maintained to ensure it will operate when needed. This includes regular battery testing, operational testing under load, inspection of transfer switching and bypass operation, and documented records for compliance audits. Indigi Power and Cooling provides scheduled maintenance agreements for lift backup systems.
Related Services
- Three Phase UPS Installation and Commissioning
- Three Phase UPS Maintenance
- UPS Maintenance Plans and Pricing
- UPS Battery Replacement Guide
- UPS Installation and Commissioning Australia
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Get a Lift UPS Assessment and Quote Tell us your lift motor kW rating, whether the drive is regenerative, the building type and required runtime. We will conduct a load assessment and recommend the correct system, with a fixed quote and full compliance documentation. Contact Indigi Power and Cooling |
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