Handrail Inlet

Overview

The handrail inlet is the moulded mouthpiece at each newel end where the handrail enters and leaves the balustrade. It sets the entry clearance that keeps fingers and clothing out of the mechanism. One Elevator supplies replacement inlets and the brush seals that fit behind them, matched to the handrail profile and the balustrade opening.

Applications

Inlets are replaced on escalators and moving walks in metro stations, airports, shopping malls, hotels and hospitals, and are made to fit OTIS, KONE, Schindler, Mitsubishi, ThyssenKrupp and Hyundai equipment. Cracked or sharp-edged inlets are a common finding in escalator safety audits. Because they sit at hand height, they are also the part most often damaged by trolleys and luggage. Inlets are supplied in left and right versions, so please confirm which newel end you are replacing before ordering.

Types and Range

• Inlets for flat, S-profile, C-profile and V-profile handrails
• Two-piece and split inlets for replacement without removing the handrail
• Inlets with integrated brush seals and felt wipers
• Chrome-plated, powder-coated and stainless steel finishes
• Rubber and plastic safety buffers for the newel end
• Inlet fixing kits, grommets and shims

Profiles are checked against the handrail cross-section before machining.

Selection Guide

Confirm three things before ordering: the handrail profile, the balustrade opening size, and whether the inlet is split for fitting over an existing handrail. Check the handrail entry clearance after installation — too tight and the belt drags, too loose and the seal fails. Split inlets cost slightly more but save the labour of removing the handrail, which is usually the larger part of the job. Inlets are produced to EN 115-1 geometry and deburred by hand. Rounded entry lips are standard, because a sharp edge turns a minor trip into a reportable injury.

Ordering and Lead Time

Tell us the equipment brand, model and handrail profile, and we will cross-reference the part and return a firm quote, usually within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a left or a right inlet?

Both exist and they are not interchangeable. Tell us which newel end you are replacing, and the handrail profile it must match.

Should I buy a split inlet?

If you want to avoid removing the handrail. A split inlet costs more but saves the labour of stripping the belt, which is the larger part of the job.

What else should I order with the inlet?

The brush seal and felt wiper behind it. They are usually perished by the time an inlet cracks, and they are cheap to add to the same box.