Certified Facility Manager (CFM) Practice Exam

Which of the following statements about a hydraulic elevator system is not true?

1. Counterweights help the elevator move up and down

2. The system operates using a fluid mechanism

3. Elevators require periodic maintenance for safety

4. Hydraulic elevators are more energy-efficient than traction elevators

The correct answer is: Counterweights help the elevator move up and down

Counterweights indeed play a crucial role in elevator systems, particularly in traction elevators, but they are not a common feature in hydraulic elevator systems. Hydraulic elevators operate using a different mechanism that relies on hydraulic fluid in a cylinder to lift and lower the elevator car. The weight of the hydrostatic pressure pushes the fluid into the cylinder, raising the car, while a return mechanism allows it to descend. In contrast, counterweights are primarily designed to balance the weight of the elevator car in traction systems, reducing the amount of energy required for the motor to move the car. Thus, stating that counterweights help a hydraulic elevator move up and down is inaccurate, as these systems do not utilize counterweights in their operational process. The other statements provided about hydraulic elevators are accurate. They do operate using a fluid mechanism (the hydraulic system), require regular maintenance for safety, and generally, hydraulic elevators are less energy-efficient than traction elevators due to differences in design and technology.