Skip to main content
How to Buy

Modernize Your Elevator Without Replacing the DC Machine

 Is Your Elevator Costing More Than It Should? 

With more than 150,000 elevator drives installed worldwide, Magnetek is a trusted partner for consultants, contractors, and building owners extending the life of existing DC elevator systems without the cost and disruption of a full replacement. Instead of removing and replacing the entire system, elevator modernization allows the existing DC system to remain while upgrading control, reliability, and energy efficiency for improved ride experience and performance for years to come. Modernizing with Magnetek drives is a more sustainable, cost-effective approach that reduces downtime, minimizes waste, lowers project costs, and delivers the performance today’s buildings demand.

Modernize Your DC Elevator System
DC Modernization

The Challenge with Aging DC Elevators

More than 52% of elevators in the U.S. are over 25 years old, an age when critical components begin to reach the end of their service life and system reliability becomes a concern. As equipment ages, maintenance becomes more costly and challenging, especially as the number of technicians with DC elevator expertise continues to shrink.

Rather than investing in a costly full system replacement, modernization provides a practical path forward that not only addresses high costs and prevents considerable downtime but adds value. By modernizing with Magnetek, you can ensure continuity of knowledge and specialized support where DC expertise is becoming increasingly scarce.

 

Replace with AC or Modernize your DC System

Not sure whether to replace or modernize?
 It’s important to understand the tradeoffs between a complete AC replacement and modernizing with a DC drive.

 
Replacing with AC
Modernizing with DC
  Cost
Higher
Lower
  Downtime
More disruption
Less disruption
  Complexity
Full system replacement
Drive-only update

 

Keep What Works. Upgrade What Matters.

The decision to keep a DC motor elevator and focus on modernizing is a cost-effective way to enhance building performance, ride satisfaction, and protect long-term property value. By upgrading existing elevators with modern drive technology, building owners can achieve smoother rides, extend the life of existing equipment, better traffic flow, increased reliability, and enhanced safety without the expense and disruption of replacing an entire elevator system. Modernization also delivers significant energy savings through regenerative drive technology, which captures and reuses energy that would otherwise be wasted, helping reduce operating costs and support sustainability goals. These energy-efficient upgrades may contribute toward LEED, BREEAM®, and ENERGY STAR credits.

 

Does Switching to AC Really Save More?

When choosing AC vs. DC elevator drives to replace existing, aged elevator equipment, there is a misconception that it’s better and most cost effective to replace the system with a new AC drive. While installing a new AC motor system may be preferred in certain circumstances, existing DC-powered elevator systems can provide decades of additional service if properly maintained as a more cost-effective investment for the future.

 

Not sure if AC or DC is better for your building?

Our Energy Savings Calculator estimates the electrical consumption of existing elevator equipment and compares it with alternative motor and drive configurations. Using the building’s elevator operating characteristics, it provides a quantitative analysis of potential energy savings, helping building owners evaluate the benefits and return on investment of a modernization project.

    CALCULATE YOUR SAVINGS  →

Proven in the Most Demanding Buildings

With over 40 years of innovation and installed across six continents, our DC elevator drives are trusted to operate elevators in many of the most famous buildings in the world.

Milwaukee, WI

DC Elevator Modernization Delivers 38% Energy Savings for 17- Story City Center Building

Achieved 38% daily energy savings based on an average of 500 runs per day by each car by replacing antiquated elevator motor controls with Magnetek’s Quattro DC adjustable speed drives.

Read the Case Study
San Antonio, TX

Historic Hotel Achieves Significant Energy Savings with DC Elevator Modernization

Energy consumption after modernization with a Magnetek Quattro elevator drive showed 45% less watt-hours, 78% less volt-amp hours, and 31% reduction in peak-demand charges.

Read the Case Study
Image of inside maintenance facility
Croydon, London

DC Elevator Modernization Improves Ride Quality and Cuts Energy Use at Apollo House

Quattro DC elevator drives significantly improved ride quality, power factor, harmonic distortion, and peak currents while saving an estimated 25% energy savings compared to the previous solution.

Read the Case Study

Common DC Modernization Questions

  • Is it better to replace DC with AC?

    Why replace what still works? Modernizing with DC elevator drives is the smarter investment because it provides the benefits of updated drive technology without the expense, disruption, complexity, and project risk compared to a full AC replacement.

  • Can you upgrade an elevator without replacing the motor?

    Yes! That’s the advantage of DC elevator modernization. If the existing DC motor is in good condition, upgrading to a modern Magnetek DC drive allows for enhanced performance and reliability without replacing the motor, while extending the life of the existing DC motor for years to come.

  • How long does DC modernization take?

    The timeline varies based on the scope of the project and the site requirements. Because DC modernization preserves the existing motor and focuses on updating the drive, it is, in general, significantly faster and less disruptive than a full AC replacement.

  • How much does a modernization project cost?

    Every elevator modernization project is unique. Costs vary based on the scope of work and condition of existing equipment; however, it is a more cost-effective solution because it preserves existing equipment. This approach reduces the amount of equipment needed, installation costs, and downtime while delivering modern performance and reliability.

 

Not Sure if You Should Replace or Modernize Your Elevator System??

Our DC elevator modernization experts are here to help you optimize your infrastructure investment for
greater performance, efficiency, and a better ride experience. Contact us to get started.
    EVALUATE YOUR SYSTEM  →
    TALK TO A DC MODERNIZATION EXPERT→