ABOUT US
Electramic LLC is a consortium of ski industry technicians and engineers working as one to produce safe, reliable, elegantly executed drive and control systems. We bring together many years of experience in the design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of ski lift electrical systems of all types.
We are committed to providing our customers with thoughtfully constructed well tailored equipment that communicates via a user-friendly, no-nonsense human interface. Our first priority is to provide a high level of technical convenience and exceptional value to our users.
Suggestions for improvement from our clients are not only welcomed, but are encouraged.
THE Emax LIFT INTERFACE
The Emax system is modular in design, eliminating most of the wiring normally associated with modern lift control systems. Discrete elements are grouped by function and are presented as five basic module types. The modules are magnet-mounted, quick-disconnect, and clearly labeled using engraved black-on-white cover panels. All wire connections are made using pluggable terminals that incorporate spring-cage technology – eliminating loose screws.
At the heart of the system are two identical programmable logic controllers that simultaneously monitor all lift safety circuits, lift speed, and (as required by code) accel / decel ramp curves. Both the electric and auxiliary drives are constantly monitored for status, depending on which is currently being used.
The primary operator interface is a 10.5 inch TFT color touch screen that offers several display options. The “home screen” clearly displays speed, load, and the current status of all lift subsystems. Alternate screens may be selected to aid in testing and troubleshooting. We do not use “fault codes” – just plain English. The status of all system inputs and outputs is also indicated with bi-color LEDs at the point of system entry or exit – thus backing up the touch screen and providing the technician with “cabinet open” system information.
The touch screen allows bypass of certain circuits through password protected buttons, thus eliminating the possibility an unauthorized bypass and any need for jumpers.
Automated system tests are available via the service screen - with all test instructions displayed in each screen. There is no need for written procedures. Dynamic brake testing is fully automated. Start the lift and push the brake test button. Motor current and speed are measured and the results are displayed at the conclusion of the test. Daily testing of tower circuits is performed in a similar, automatic manner.
All inputs from outside the cabinet enter the system via input relay interface modules that split the signals, and simultaneously connect them to both PLCs using pluggable connectors. The relay interface modules incorporate LED indicators for each circuit. These bi-color indicators appear through a cover panel with a legend customized to the user’s installation.
A secondary “series loop” which includes all safety circuits is designed into these modules - both as a back-up and to improve safety while operating in either EVAC mode (electric or auxiliary). The continuity of each relay contact in this series string is also indicated by green LEDs.
All PLC outputs connect to a system interface module (the “SIM”, as we call it) via two ribbon cables. Within the SIM, these outputs (from PLC A and PLC B) are summed using separate relays and then directed to dedicated output connectors specific to the driven subsystem. Controllers A and B (and their driven relays) must agree to enable any safety-sensitive output. Driven devices are monitored via return inputs, ensuring a correct response to commands.
A rope-driven optical encoder (tachometer) is constantly compared to a similar device on the electric motor. Together they provide the system with speed, accel / decel and direction information. Any disagreement of these two signals is regarded as a fault and the system is shut down.
A modular phone system is provided as the lift intercom. We use amplified, armor corded handsets that are very durable. The lift intercom requires very little power and is supplied by the control system battery.
A custom voltage suppression module is provided for com-line termination at both lift terminals. Wire connection to these modules is made via spring-cage, pluggable connectors. Fail-safe gas discharge devices, closely matched to the system operating voltage, are connected to each com-line conductor – whether or not the wire is being used. The module at the system end of the lift also incorporates lock-down relays –responsive to system “on-off”. These relays disconnect the system from the com-line and connect every com-line conductor to ground when the lift is not in use. This scheme has been proven to be highly effective for protection from lightning-induced voltages.
A 24 volt power supply is included with the control system. Charger function and the voltages of all lift batteries are monitored by the system and are displayed on the “home screen” of the user interface. Distribution of 24 volt control power is centralized on a DC Distribution module. This module has input terminations for all DC sources: system battery, aux engine battery, brakes battery (if separate), system charger and a dedicated “evac supply”. These inputs are appropriately switched and directed to individual ATM fuses that serve the various system loads. The continuity of each fuse is indicated by an adjacent green LED.
Emax can accommodate virtually any tower switch or wiring configuration. Self-resetting Polyswitch devices are provided for each tower circuit and can be located at either terminal. Drive terminal fusing requires one pair per tower, while return terminal fusing needs only one wire per tower plus two pairs for power feed. An automated “tower test” function is standard.
A chair marking system sounds an alarm upon arrival of “marked” carrier at the opposite station. As required by code, warning horns sound at each terminal before the lift is allowed to move.
Virtually any DC or AC motor controller integrates directly with this low voltage control system via a single connector dedicated to that purpose. The auxiliary engine connects in identical manner.
We have built many complete drive / control packages. While we make it a policy not to cut corners where quality really counts, we also strive to offer our products at a reasonable cost. This can be a delicate balance, and our quotations reflect both sides of this coin. We know that other constructors offer similar packages – and that some will be quoted higher, some lower.
We feel that when overall long-term value is a consideration, our product will stand out.
Electramic LLC is a consortium of ski industry technicians and engineers working as one to produce safe, reliable, elegantly executed drive and control systems. We bring together many years of experience in the design, fabrication, installation and maintenance of ski lift electrical systems of all types.
We are committed to providing our customers with thoughtfully constructed well tailored equipment that communicates via a user-friendly, no-nonsense human interface. Our first priority is to provide a high level of technical convenience and exceptional value to our users.
Suggestions for improvement from our clients are not only welcomed, but are encouraged.
THE Emax LIFT INTERFACE
The Emax system is modular in design, eliminating most of the wiring normally associated with modern lift control systems. Discrete elements are grouped by function and are presented as five basic module types. The modules are magnet-mounted, quick-disconnect, and clearly labeled using engraved black-on-white cover panels. All wire connections are made using pluggable terminals that incorporate spring-cage technology – eliminating loose screws.
At the heart of the system are two identical programmable logic controllers that simultaneously monitor all lift safety circuits, lift speed, and (as required by code) accel / decel ramp curves. Both the electric and auxiliary drives are constantly monitored for status, depending on which is currently being used.
The primary operator interface is a 10.5 inch TFT color touch screen that offers several display options. The “home screen” clearly displays speed, load, and the current status of all lift subsystems. Alternate screens may be selected to aid in testing and troubleshooting. We do not use “fault codes” – just plain English. The status of all system inputs and outputs is also indicated with bi-color LEDs at the point of system entry or exit – thus backing up the touch screen and providing the technician with “cabinet open” system information.
The touch screen allows bypass of certain circuits through password protected buttons, thus eliminating the possibility an unauthorized bypass and any need for jumpers.
Automated system tests are available via the service screen - with all test instructions displayed in each screen. There is no need for written procedures. Dynamic brake testing is fully automated. Start the lift and push the brake test button. Motor current and speed are measured and the results are displayed at the conclusion of the test. Daily testing of tower circuits is performed in a similar, automatic manner.
All inputs from outside the cabinet enter the system via input relay interface modules that split the signals, and simultaneously connect them to both PLCs using pluggable connectors. The relay interface modules incorporate LED indicators for each circuit. These bi-color indicators appear through a cover panel with a legend customized to the user’s installation.
A secondary “series loop” which includes all safety circuits is designed into these modules - both as a back-up and to improve safety while operating in either EVAC mode (electric or auxiliary). The continuity of each relay contact in this series string is also indicated by green LEDs.
All PLC outputs connect to a system interface module (the “SIM”, as we call it) via two ribbon cables. Within the SIM, these outputs (from PLC A and PLC B) are summed using separate relays and then directed to dedicated output connectors specific to the driven subsystem. Controllers A and B (and their driven relays) must agree to enable any safety-sensitive output. Driven devices are monitored via return inputs, ensuring a correct response to commands.
A rope-driven optical encoder (tachometer) is constantly compared to a similar device on the electric motor. Together they provide the system with speed, accel / decel and direction information. Any disagreement of these two signals is regarded as a fault and the system is shut down.
A modular phone system is provided as the lift intercom. We use amplified, armor corded handsets that are very durable. The lift intercom requires very little power and is supplied by the control system battery.
A custom voltage suppression module is provided for com-line termination at both lift terminals. Wire connection to these modules is made via spring-cage, pluggable connectors. Fail-safe gas discharge devices, closely matched to the system operating voltage, are connected to each com-line conductor – whether or not the wire is being used. The module at the system end of the lift also incorporates lock-down relays –responsive to system “on-off”. These relays disconnect the system from the com-line and connect every com-line conductor to ground when the lift is not in use. This scheme has been proven to be highly effective for protection from lightning-induced voltages.
A 24 volt power supply is included with the control system. Charger function and the voltages of all lift batteries are monitored by the system and are displayed on the “home screen” of the user interface. Distribution of 24 volt control power is centralized on a DC Distribution module. This module has input terminations for all DC sources: system battery, aux engine battery, brakes battery (if separate), system charger and a dedicated “evac supply”. These inputs are appropriately switched and directed to individual ATM fuses that serve the various system loads. The continuity of each fuse is indicated by an adjacent green LED.
Emax can accommodate virtually any tower switch or wiring configuration. Self-resetting Polyswitch devices are provided for each tower circuit and can be located at either terminal. Drive terminal fusing requires one pair per tower, while return terminal fusing needs only one wire per tower plus two pairs for power feed. An automated “tower test” function is standard.
A chair marking system sounds an alarm upon arrival of “marked” carrier at the opposite station. As required by code, warning horns sound at each terminal before the lift is allowed to move.
Virtually any DC or AC motor controller integrates directly with this low voltage control system via a single connector dedicated to that purpose. The auxiliary engine connects in identical manner.
We have built many complete drive / control packages. While we make it a policy not to cut corners where quality really counts, we also strive to offer our products at a reasonable cost. This can be a delicate balance, and our quotations reflect both sides of this coin. We know that other constructors offer similar packages – and that some will be quoted higher, some lower.
We feel that when overall long-term value is a consideration, our product will stand out.
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