A gate motor is an electric device that helps to open and close gates. They are used to automate a wide variety of gates, including residential, commercial and industrial ones. They can also be used to control the flow of traffic at parking lots, and can also be integrated with security systems.
The Benefits of an Electric Gate Motor
One of the main reasons people opt for an automatic gate is to save time and effort. These motors can be controlled by a remote, which makes it easy to open and close a gate from afar. They can also be programmed to automatically open and close a gate when it is triggered by a sensor.
Safety Issues
As you can imagine, an electric gate is a large and heavy piece of equipment that is often subject to heavy winds. This means that it is important that they are installed safely and properly to minimise accidents. The right gate automation installer will always carry out a safety audit and have safety devices in place.
The most common types of safety features include safety photocells that provide a beam of light to detect anyone who enters the area the gates are passing through. If this beam is broken, the electric gate motor stops.
Another type of safety feature is a safety edge that is installed on the end of the gates to prevent them from moving. This is because anyone who reaches the end of the gate and touches it will push electrical contacts together, stopping the motors.
Other safety devices used in gate automation are reversing sensors that will stop the motors if they reverse themselves during operation. This is an effective safety mechanism that can help to reduce accidents and improve the lifespan of the electric gate openers.
Choosing the Correct Size of Electric Gate Motor
There are many different types of electric gate motors on the market, and choosing the best one for your needs is important. It is crucial that you choose a product that is compatible with your gate, and that it has enough power for the amount of traffic you want to handle.
The most popular type of electric gate motor is the sliding gate motor, which allows one or more gates to slide along a track. These systems work by meshing a cog on the motor’s output shaft with a toothed rack mounted on the inside of the gate. This mechanism is also used in access gates and sectional garage doors.
Low-Voltage & Battery Backup Options
A low-voltage gate motor system is an ideal choice for residential and commercial applications that have frequent power outages or that don’t connect to the grid. These systems come with a battery backup that enables them to be operated for a few cycles in the event of a mains failure.
Aside from the fact that these are generally more cost-effective, they are also much safer to use on a daily basis. These systems typically use a maximum of 100 watts of electricity while they are on standby, and only use up to 700 watts while in active mode.