An elevator system comprising a brake system and an elevator car, the brake system comprising: a multiple of brake segments (60a-c) for deceleration of the elevator car; and a brake control circuit operable to control operation of each of the multiple of brake segments to passively sequence activation of each of the multiple of brake segments; wherein the brake control circuit comprises an electromagnetic coil (112a-c) and a snubber network (114a-c) for each of the multiple of brake segments (60a-c), the brake control circuit comprising a first snubber network, a second snubber network and a third snubber network and wherein said multiple of brake segments (60a-c) comprises: a first brake segment operable to apply a first brake torque at a first time in response to the first snubber network; a second brake segment sequentially operable subsequent to the first brake segment in response to the second snubber network, the second brake segment operable to apply a second brake torque at a second time subsequent to the first time; and a third brake segment sequentially operable subsequent to the second brake segment in response to the third snubber network, the third brake segment operable to apply a third brake torque at a third time; characterized in that the first, the second, and the third brake segments (60a-c) are sequentially operated to stop 125% of the rated load of the elevator car, and two of the first, the second, and the third brake segments (60a-c) are operable to stop 100% of the rated load of the elevator car. a multiple of brake segments (60a-c) for deceleration of the elevator car; and a brake control circuit operable to control operation of each of the multiple of brake segments to passively sequence activation of each of the multiple of brake segments; wherein the brake control circuit comprises an electromagnetic coil (112a-c) and a snubber network (114a-c) for each of the multiple of brake segments (60a-c), the brake control circuit comprising a first snubber network, a second snubber network and a third snubber network and wherein said multiple of brake segments (60a-c) comprises: a first brake segment operable to apply a first brake torque at a first time in response to the first snubber network; a second brake segment sequentially operable subsequent to the first brake segment in response to the second snubber network, the second brake segment operable to apply a second brake torque at a second time subsequent to the first time; and a third brake segment sequentially operable subsequent to the second brake segment in response to the third snubber network, the third brake segment operable to apply a third brake torque at a third time; characterized in that the first, the second, and the third brake segments (60a-c) are sequentially operated to stop 125% of the rated load of the elevator car, and two of the first, the second, and the third brake segments (60a-c) are operable to stop 100% of the rated load of the elevator car. a first brake segment operable to apply a first brake torque at a first time in response to the first snubber network; a second brake segment sequentially operable subsequent to the first brake segment in response to the second snubber network, the second brake segment operable to apply a second brake torque at a second time subsequent to the first time; and a third brake segment sequentially operable subsequent to the second brake segment in response to the third snubber network, the third brake segment operable to apply a third brake torque at a third time; characterized in that the first, the second, and the third brake segments (60a-c) are sequentially operated to stop 125% of the rated load of the elevator car, and two of the first, the second, and the third brake segments (60a-c) are operable to stop 100% of the rated load of the elevator car.