Personnel Hoists in Accordance with DIN EN 1808 – Custom-Designed Electric Rope Winches for Maximum Safety in Personnel Transport

Table of contents

1. Introduction
2. Why there must be specific requirements for a personnel hoist.
3. Case Study: Personnel Hoists for the Jagdberg Tunnel
4. Maximum Security Because of Intelligent Monitoring
5. DIN EN 1808 – The Standard for Safe Passenger Lifts
6. Engineering from Design to Commissioning
7. Applications of Modern Personnel Hoists
8. Why Custom Electric Rope Winches Are the Better Solution
9. Conclusion

The safe transport of people places the highest demands on technology, reliability, and compliance with standards. Standard solutions are often insufficient in this context. What is needed are custom-designed electric rope winchesthat are specifically designed for passenger transport in accordance with DIN EN 1808 and ensure maximum safety even under the most demanding operating conditions.

As a specialist in custom lifting and winch technology, PLANETA develops high-performance, custom-built winches that are precisely tailored to the requirements of industry, tunnel construction, plant engineering, and mechanical engineering. A real-world example impressively demonstrates how complex projects can be safely carried out using a specially developed personnel hoist.

Why there must be specific requirements for a personnel hoist.

While conventional lifting winches are designed for material transport, much stricter safety requirements apply to the transport of people. Even the smallest technical errors can have serious consequences. For this reason, passenger hoists are subject to comprehensive legal and technical requirements in accordance with DIN EN 1808.

A modern electric rope winch for passenger transport there must be the following requirements, among others:

• Multi-level security systems
• Continuous Load Monitoring
• Redundant Braking Systems
• Monitoring Cable Tension
• Speed Control
• Position Tracking
• Emergency and Safety Features
• Documented Testing and Acceptance Procedures

It is only through the interaction of these systems that safe operation is possible, even under extreme operating conditions.

Case Study: Personnel Hoists for the Jagdberg Tunnel

An impressive showcase project was completed during the construction of the Jagdberg Tunnel (A4 highway) in Germany.

During the construction phase, there must have been a need to develop a shaft system capable of carrying both heavy loads and maintenance personnel safely. The platform moved freely within the shaft and there must have been a need to reliably monitor it at all times.

To this end, PLANETA developed a specially designed multi-stage electric rope winch , including the complete control system.

Key Technical Specifications

• PHW-E 309 Personnel Hoist
• Engine power: 9.2 kW
• Capacity: 4.3 metric tons
• Lifting speed: 9 m/min
• Rope length: 2 × 140 meters
• Safety Frequency Converters
• Offshore Control Cabinet for Harsh Environmental Conditions

Maximum Security Because of Intelligent Monitoring

Safety is a top priority, especially in the case of personnel hoists. Numerous safety components were used in the tunnel project:

Tilt Sensors

Because the platform hangs freely in the shaft, tilt sensors constantly monitor its position. Even the slightest movements are detected.

Loose Rope Monitoring

A slack rope sensor immediately detects when the rope tension falls below the required level. This helps prevent dangerous operating conditions early on.

Load measurement

Both suspension cables are continuously monitored. The actual load distribution is constantly measured and analyzed.

Position Monitoring

The position of the rope drum is continuously monitored. This allows every movement to be tracked precisely.

Safety Disc Brake

A monitored safety brake provides additional protection for the system against excessive speed and significantly enhances personal safety.

DIN EN 1808 – The Standard for Safe Passenger Lifts

DIN EN 1808 defines the requirements for equipment used to transport personnel on suspended work platforms and similar systems.

For manufacturers, this means, among other things:

• Design of Safety-Critical Components
• Redundant Braking Systems
• Safe Control Technology
• Comprehensive testing procedures
• Documented Acceptances
• Proof of Operational Safety

There must be precise coordination of all components as early as the development phase.

Engineering from Design to Commissioning

In the case of complex projects, the working process doesn’t end with the delivery of the electric rope winch.

PLANETA supports projects through every phase:

• Project Consulting
• Design
• Manufacturing
• Control System Development
• Support in the case of EC Type Examination
• Installation Support
• Acceptance
• On-site Commissioning

Applications of Modern Personnel Hoists

This comprehensive project management ensures that everything runs smoothly and provides the highest level of operational reliability.

Modern passenger hoists that comply with DIN EN 1808 are used wherever there must be vertical movement of people in a safe manner.

Typical applications include:

• Infrastructure Projects
• Tunnel Construction
• Mines
• Industrial Facilities
• Power Plants
• Steel mills
• Offshore facilities
• Wind Turbines
• Maintenance Platforms
• Custom Machine Building

Because of custom designs, it is possible to meet virtually any requirement in a cost-effective manner.

Why Custom Electric Rope Winches Are the Better Solution

Off-the-shelf products quickly reach their limits in the case of unusual projects.

A custom-built special-purpose winch, on the other hand, offers:

• maximum security
• Optimal adaptation to the installation situation
• maximum efficiency
• high availability
• long service life
• standard-compliant design
• future-proof investment

Custom development pays off in the long run, especially in the case of safety-critical applications.

Conclusion

Whether it’s tunnel construction, an industrial facility, or a complex infrastructure project—anywhere people must be transported safely, personnel hoists compliant with DIN EN 1808 are indispensable. Custom-designed electric rope winches and custom-built hoists combine state-of-the-art safety technology, intelligent control systems, and the highest level of reliability.

The reference project in the Jagdberg Tunnel impressively demonstrates how customized solutions can handle even the most challenging tasks. From development through EC type examination to commissioning, PLANETA offers complete system solutions for the safe transport of people and demanding lifting applications.