eli5: why do escalators not get damaged in the rain
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Short answer: the materials they are made from are not damaged by water or are protected from water.
Longer answer: Parts like the electric motor and electronics can be covered to keep them dry. Bearings for the stairs can be sealed to keep water out and grease in. The structure can be painted to protect it from rust. Some parts like the rubber hand rail are resistant to water already. Other parts may need coatings or slight changes in material selection for installations that will be exposed to rain.
There is a long history of making machines (trains, airplanes, the electric grid, etc) that operate in rain. It’s just a matter of making sure each part can either tolerate some water or is adequately protected from it.
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