Which component is designed to prevent the elevator car from falling if a cable breaks?

The component designed to prevent the elevator car from falling in the event of a cable break is the governor and safety gear. The governor is a device that monitors the speed of the elevator car and is integral to the safety system. If the elevator car begins to move too quickly—indicative of a possible cable failure—the governor activates the safety gear, which locks into place and secures the elevator car, preventing it from descending rapidly. This combination of mechanisms ensures the safety of passengers by mitigating the risk of free fall should the holding cables fail.

Other components, such as the control panel, while critical for operational management, do not directly contribute to preventing falls. The over-speed governor focuses specifically on detecting overspeed conditions, but it is the safety gear that physically secures the elevator. The brake system, although essential for normal stopping and control, may not engage reliably if the primary holding cables are compromised, thus highlighting the unique safety role of the governor and safety gear in emergency situations.