Technology
How does an escalator work?
An escalator works as a continuous loop of linked steps driven by a motor and chain. The steps stay level at the top and bottom for easy boarding, then rise into stairs in between, while the handrail moves at the same speed for support.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how an escalator works.
Step by step
- 1A motor drives a chain loop that the steps are attached to.
- 2Each step runs on wheels along tracks that raise and flatten it at the right moments.
- 3At the ends, the steps flatten into a level platform so you can step on and off safely.
- 4A separate belt drives the handrail at the same speed as the steps.
- 5Comb plates at the top and bottom mesh with grooves in the steps to guide feet off safely.
Frequently asked questions
- Why are escalator steps flat at the top and bottom?
- The tracks flatten each step into a level platform at the ends so you can board and exit safely, then form stairs in between.
- Why does the handrail sometimes drift out of sync?
- The handrail is driven by its own belt; slight stretching over time can make it creep ahead or behind, so it is periodically adjusted.
- What are the comb plates?
- The toothed plates at each end that mesh with grooves in the steps, guiding feet off and reducing the chance of anything getting caught.