How Home Lifts Work

How the drive systems work

Cable traction

A traction home lift uses steel cables and a counterweight. An electric motor drives a sheave — a grooved wheel — which moves the cables. As the car rises, the counterweight descends, balancing the load and reducing the energy required. Traction systems reach speeds up to 0.5 m/s in residential applications and suit homes with two or more floors. They require a shaft and either an overhead machine room or a machine-room-less (MRL) arrangement inside the hoistway.

Hydraulic

A hydraulic home lift uses an oil-filled cylinder and a pump. The pump pressurises the cylinder to extend a piston, which raises the car. To descend, a valve releases the oil and the car lowers by gravity. Hydraulic systems are quiet, reliable, and common in low-rise residential installations. They require a small pump room adjacent to the shaft, typically a cupboard-sized space.

Pneumatic (vacuum)

A pneumatic lift uses air pressure differential. The car is sealed inside a transparent tube; reducing the air pressure above the car causes it to rise. The car descends by equalising the pressure. Pneumatic lifts require no shaft or machine room, which makes them well-suited to retrofitting into existing homes. The trade-off is smaller cab dimensions and a lower load capacity compared to cable or hydraulic systems.

Safety features required by Australian Standards

AS 1735.18 mandates the following safety systems in all residential lifts:

• Overload protection — the lift will not move if the load exceeds the rated capacity
• Door interlocks — the car cannot move while any door is open
• Emergency lowering — on power failure, the lift lowers to the nearest floor and opens
• Speed governor — triggers the safety gear if the car exceeds rated speed on descent
• Pit buffer — absorbs impact at the lowest landing in case of overrun
• Emergency communication — an alarm or communication device inside the car

These requirements apply regardless of drive type. Your installation must be inspected and certified by a licensed lift inspector before first use.

What installation involves

A standard home lift installation proceeds as follows:

1. Site assessment — a supplier visits to assess structural feasibility, floor-to-floor height, headroom, and shaft or pit requirements
2. Structural work — most installations require some modification: a shaft or hoistway, a floor opening, and framing around landing doors
3. Electrical connection — lifts require a dedicated 240V single-phase circuit in most residential applications
4. Installation — typically 3–5 working days for a pre-engineered residential lift once the structural work is complete
5. Certification and registration — the completed installation must be inspected and registered with the relevant state workplace safety regulator before first use

For cost guidance across all home lift types, see our home lift cost guide. For a full overview of residential lift products available in Australia, see our home lifts overview. When you are ready to compare suppliers, get quotes through LiftQuotes.