Ashworth Centre – The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

The agreed strategy focused on replacing the problematic Italian‑manufactured control and electrical systems with a fully UK‑engineered solution designed forreliability, maintainability, and long‑term compliance.

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Key elements of the upgrade included:

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• Digital Advanced Controls (DAC) controllers to replace the original Italian control systems, providing stable operation, improved diagnostics, and enhanced faultre silience.

• Full rewiring of both lifts, ensuring clean, reliable signal paths and eliminating historic wiring faults.

• New landing push buttons and car operating panels, designed for durability and improved user interaction.

• Replacement of all door locks and safety contacts, addressing long‑standing issues with door reliability on both lifts.

• Integration of UK‑manufactured components, ensuring future parts availability, simplified maintenance, and improved technical support.

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This approach provided a comprehensive, future‑proofed solution that addressed the root causes of the lifts’ unreliability rather than applying further short‑term fixes.

The project presented several technical and operational challenges:

•              Persistent systemic faults across the original Italian controllers, wiring looms, and door safety circuits, many of which were interlinked and difficult to isolate.

•              Complex door arrangements, particularly on Lift 2, where three‑sided swing‑door operation required precise interfacing and reliable safety logic.

•              Bespoke lift design, meaning no standardised wiring or control architecture could be applied without significant adaptation.

•              Maintaining building access, as the Ashworth Centre remained operational throughout the works, requiring careful planning and coordination.

•              Ensuring long‑term maintainability, with the client seeking a solution that avoided reliance on niche or overseas components.

The combination of bespoke design, historic wiring issues,and unreliable control logic meant that incremental repairs were no longer viable. A full system replacement was the only practical route to restoring dependable operation.

Following detailed coordination with the client and TÜV, the final specification was approved and a structured programme established.

•              All new DAC controllers, wiring looms, operating panels, and door safety components were manufactured and configured within the agreed lead time.

•              Installation works were completed in a controlled sequence to maintain building access and minimise disruption.

•              Acute maintained a strong on‑site presence throughout, issuing regular progress reports and ensuring full transparency at every stage.

•              A comprehensive programme of testing, commissioning, and verification was undertaken, with TÜV and the client witnessing all key tests.

The upgraded lifts now operate with significantly improvedreliability, stable control logic, and fully compliant safety systems. The client has regained confidence in the lifts’ performance, and the use of UK‑manufactured equipment ensures long‑term maintainability and rapid support.

The project was delivered within the agreed programme, and the professionalism and technical expertise of the Acute Elevators team were acknowledged and appreciated by the client.