Elevator Machinery In a multi-story hotel, when elevators can't go up, business can go down. In busy hotels, elevator motors and machinery are in constant use, making them more vulnerable to mechanical breakdown. Automated elevators contain sensitive and costly electronic circuitry; a power surge could cause complete breakdown and make complete replacement of the electronic controls necessary. Rotating electrical elevator motors can be damaged by electrical power disturbances such as surges, spikes and "brown outs." © 2004 The Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance and Inspection Company.     All rights reserved.