Which device stops the lift before hitting an obstruction?

• A. Lower Terminal Stopping Device
• B. Electric Contact
• C. Maximum Speed
• D. Chair Specifications

Answer: (A)

The important idea is how escalator safety systems automatically stop the ride before it reaches an obstruction. The device at the lower end of the escalator—the Lower Terminal Stopping Device—is specifically designed for this scenario. When something blocks the bottom landing, this device triggers and stops the drive (often by cutting power and applying the brake) so the steps don’t contact the obstruction. It’s located at the lower terminal and is the built-in protection that prevents crushing or collision with objects at the bottom.

The other options don’t fulfill this exact safety role. An electric contact is part of the control circuits but isn’t the automatic obstruction-stop device at the lower landing. Maximum speed governs how fast the escalator runs, not whether it stops for an obstruction. Chair specifications relate to seating equipment and aren’t about escalator stopping mechanisms.