A selectively operable braking device for an elevator system including a car and a plurality of guiderails, comprising: a safety brake disposed on the car and adapted to be wedged against one of the guiderails when moved from a non-braking state into a braking state; a rod operably coupled to the safety brake, the rod configured to move the safety brake between the non-braking state and braking state; a magnetic brake operably coupled to the rod and disposed adjacent to the guiderail, the magnetic brake configured to move between a rail-engaging position and a rail-non-engaging position, said magnetic brake, when in the rail-engaging position contemporaneously with motion of the car, moving the rod in a direction to thereby move the safety brake from the non-braking state into the braking state; and an electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E), the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) configured to move the magnetic brake from the rail-engaging position to the rail-non-engaging position upon receipt of a resetting signal; wherein the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) further comprises a retention apparatus (52; 52A; 52B; 52C; 52D; 52E); characterized in that: the retention apparatus (52; 52A; 52B; 52C; 52D; 52E) is configured to move the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) in a direction parallel to an actuation axis; wherein the retention apparatus (52; 52A; 52B; 52C; 52D; 52E) comprises a biasing member (56; 56A; 56B; 56C; 56D) configured to apply a force to the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) in the direction parallel to the actuation axis; and wherein the biasing member (56; 56A; 56B; 56C; 56D) comprises at least one of: a compression conical spring, a leaf spring, a tension spring, or a compressible foam member. a safety brake disposed on the car and adapted to be wedged against one of the guiderails when moved from a non-braking state into a braking state; a rod operably coupled to the safety brake, the rod configured to move the safety brake between the non-braking state and braking state; a magnetic brake operably coupled to the rod and disposed adjacent to the guiderail, the magnetic brake configured to move between a rail-engaging position and a rail-non-engaging position, said magnetic brake, when in the rail-engaging position contemporaneously with motion of the car, moving the rod in a direction to thereby move the safety brake from the non-braking state into the braking state; and an electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E), the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) configured to move the magnetic brake from the rail-engaging position to the rail-non-engaging position upon receipt of a resetting signal; wherein the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) further comprises a retention apparatus (52; 52A; 52B; 52C; 52D; 52E); characterized in that: the retention apparatus (52; 52A; 52B; 52C; 52D; 52E) is configured to move the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) in a direction parallel to an actuation axis; wherein the retention apparatus (52; 52A; 52B; 52C; 52D; 52E) comprises a biasing member (56; 56A; 56B; 56C; 56D) configured to apply a force to the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) in the direction parallel to the actuation axis; and wherein the biasing member (56; 56A; 56B; 56C; 56D) comprises at least one of: a compression conical spring, a leaf spring, a tension spring, or a compressible foam member. the retention apparatus (52; 52A; 52B; 52C; 52D; 52E) is configured to move the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) in a direction parallel to an actuation axis; wherein the retention apparatus (52; 52A; 52B; 52C; 52D; 52E) comprises a biasing member (56; 56A; 56B; 56C; 56D) configured to apply a force to the electromagnetic component (42; 42A; 42B; 42C; 42D; 42E) in the direction parallel to the actuation axis; and wherein the biasing member (56; 56A; 56B; 56C; 56D) comprises at least one of: a compression conical spring, a leaf spring, a tension spring, or a compressible foam member.