Eli5: Why is that when an elevator is about to go up, it first sinks a little bit?

Question

Eli5: Why is that when an elevator is about to go up, it first sinks a little bit?

In: 62

Answer 1

So there are two types of elevators:

1. Overhead traction, basically a box hung from a steel cable with a counterweight.

2. Hydrolic driven, basically a box at the end of a large piston.

I would imagine this is either the valves on the cylinder cycling and pressure shifting or is a breaking system on the motor attached to the cables being a bit out of spec.

Source: Elevators are a special interest of mine… dont ask why.