A frictional damper for an elevator system, comprising: one or more friction pads configured to move between a first position defined by an air gap between the one or more friction pads and a guide rail of an elevator system, and a second positon defined by engagement of the one or more friction pads to the guide rail; and an actuation unit to urge the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail, the actuation unit including: a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the one or more friction pads to urge movement of the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail via hydraulic fluid pressure, the hydraulic actuator including: a hydraulic cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid; and a hydraulic piston disposed in the hydraulic cylinder and operably connected to the one or more friction pads; an electromagnetic actuator configured to selectably urge hydraulic fluid to apply a force to the hydraulic piston, thereby urging the movement of the one or more friction pads; and characterized in that a hydraulic reservoir, in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator, is configured to increase a fluid level in the hydraulic cylinder to compensate for wear of the one or more friction pads. one or more friction pads configured to move between a first position defined by an air gap between the one or more friction pads and a guide rail of an elevator system, and a second positon defined by engagement of the one or more friction pads to the guide rail; and an actuation unit to urge the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail, the actuation unit including: a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the one or more friction pads to urge movement of the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail via hydraulic fluid pressure, the hydraulic actuator including: a hydraulic cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid; and a hydraulic piston disposed in the hydraulic cylinder and operably connected to the one or more friction pads; an electromagnetic actuator configured to selectably urge hydraulic fluid to apply a force to the hydraulic piston, thereby urging the movement of the one or more friction pads; and characterized in that a hydraulic reservoir, in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator, is configured to increase a fluid level in the hydraulic cylinder to compensate for wear of the one or more friction pads. a hydraulic actuator operably connected to the one or more friction pads to urge movement of the one or more friction pads into and out of engagement with the guide rail via hydraulic fluid pressure, the hydraulic actuator including: a hydraulic cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid; and a hydraulic piston disposed in the hydraulic cylinder and operably connected to the one or more friction pads; a hydraulic cylinder containing a volume of hydraulic fluid; and a hydraulic piston disposed in the hydraulic cylinder and operably connected to the one or more friction pads; an electromagnetic actuator configured to selectably urge hydraulic fluid to apply a force to the hydraulic piston, thereby urging the movement of the one or more friction pads; and characterized in that a hydraulic reservoir, in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuator, is configured to increase a fluid level in the hydraulic cylinder to compensate for wear of the one or more friction pads.