Case study:
Reliable pressure monitoring for maximum safety in cable car operation
Cable car systems are highly complex technical installations that are operated under the strictest safety requirements. Reliable pressure monitoring within the hydraulic systems plays a key role in this. The high-precision pressure transmitter NAH 8254 meets these requirements and is therefore successfully used by Doppelmayr/Garaventa. To ensure the safe operation of ropeway systems, electronic safety devices are increasingly being used in drive technology. The condition monitoring of hydraulic braking systems and rope tensioning systems, as well as the emergency drive system, is therefore carried out via electronic monitoring. A key component in this context is reliable and fail-safe pressure monitoring.
Even before commissioning, fully automated test routines assess the condition of the safety and service brake systems. Cable tension, generated by hydraulic cylinders, enables an initial check to determine, for example, whether trees have fallen into the cable field following a night-time storm. Such unexpected influences on cable tension must not only be detected but also reliably recorded by the sensors. The pressure sensors employed therefore need to offer more than general robustness.
The integrated pressure-measuring cell must also be capable of withstanding sudden pressure surges. To achieve this, a pressure peak damper was combined with a reinforced measuring cell offering five times the overpressure resistance. As a result, the NAH 8254, with a measuring range of 160 bar, can safely withstand pressure peaks of up to 800 bar without sustaining damage. This exceptional robustness, together with outstanding precision and high long-term stability, makes the NAH 8254 pressure transmitter the ideal choice.
Even before commissioning, fully automated test routines assess the condition of the safety and service brake systems. Cable tension, generated by hydraulic cylinders, enables an initial check to determine, for example, whether trees have fallen into the cable field following a night-time storm. Such unexpected influences on cable tension must not only be detected but also reliably recorded by the sensors. The pressure sensors employed therefore need to offer more than general robustness. The integrated pressure-measuring cell must also be capable of withstanding sudden pressure surges. To achieve this, a pressure peak damper was combined with a reinforced measuring cell offering five times the overpressure resistance. As a result, the NAH 8254, with a measuring range of 160 bar, can safely withstand pressure peaks of up to 800 bar without sustaining damage. This exceptional robustness, together with outstanding precision and high long-term stability, makes the NAH 8254 pressure transmitter the ideal choice.
Even before commissioning, fully automated test routines assess the condition of the safety and service brake systems. Cable tension, generated by hydraulic cylinders, enables an initial check to determine, for example, whether trees have fallen into the cable field following a night-time storm. Such unexpected influences on cable tension must not only be detected but also reliably recorded by the sensors. The pressure sensors employed therefore need to offer more than general robustness.
The integrated pressure-measuring cell must also be capable of withstanding sudden pressure surges. To achieve this, a pressure peak damper was combined with a reinforced measuring cell offering five times the overpressure resistance. As a result, the NAH 8254, with a measuring range of 160 bar, can safely withstand pressure peaks of up to 800 bar without sustaining damage. This exceptional robustness, together with outstanding precision and high long-term stability, makes the NAH 8254 pressure transmitter the ideal choice.
The steadily increasing legal requirements for safety-related components in cable car construction have led Trafag and Doppelmayr/Garaventa to intensify their collaboration over the past decade. The shared objective: to develop a pressure transmitter that meets the rigorous demands of daily operation throughout the entire life cycle of cable car installations. The NAH 8254 is the outcome of this close development partnership.
Short decision-making paths, direct communication and a dedicated development team enabled targeted, requirements-driven product optimisation. Today, the NAH 8254 is regarded as one of the most pressure-stable and durable sensors in its class—a decisive factor in ensuring the operational safety of cable car systems worldwide.
Information regarding the NAH 8254 pressure transmitter
| Measuring range | 0 … 0.2 bis 0 … 1000 bar |
| Overpressure resistance | triple rated pressure (measurement range span), optional: fivefold rated pressure |
| Temperature compensation | Factory-set over the full operating range |
| Applications | Hydraulic braking systems, cable tension, emergency drive systems |
About Doppelmayr/Garaventa
Doppelmayr/Garaventa is recognised worldwide for innovation, quality and safety in cable car construction. With projects in more than 100 countries and a portfolio spanning both urban mobility and tourist applications, the company sets global standards. The Doppelmayr Group employs over 3,000 people across 50 countries worldwide. Together, they plan, develop, design, manufacture, construct and support pioneering projects. These range from high-performance cable car systems for passenger and material transport to efficient intralogistics solutions and creative experience concepts. The partnership with Trafag is a prime example of how technological excellence is achieved through close collaboration and continuous development—delivering tangible benefits for operators and passengers alike, and enhancing safety in both alpine and urban environments.
