Automation for entrance gates

Gates that open and close automatically are almost a standard today, both in the case of industrial areas, gated housing estates and private properties. The use of gate automation is a great convenience and time saving.

The comfort of using the gates can be affected by both and garage doors. However, in order for it to work properly, it must be properly selected for the type of door, as well as properly installed. How does gate automation work and which one to choose for your gate? You can find out more about this from the experts on this website https://bestgaragedoorrepairandservice.com/mission-viejo/ There you can also find information on the topic of cost.

What is gate automation?

Automation is responsible for opening and closing the gate. Thanks to it, you don't have to do it manually or even get out of the car. Gate automation is very useful in companies or gated communities, where the gates have to open and close literally every moment. Automation can be installed in principle to any type of door, but due to the different construction of the gates, different mechanisms are used. The requirements for individual components will be different in the case of a swing door, sliding door or sectional garage door.

The automation of the aforementioned industrial or housing estate gates will be still different, due to the need for very intensive work. Such gates are also much larger and heavier than those used on private properties. However, it is worth remembering that you can use an automatic gate opener, no matter how they are built. The detailed parameters of individual devices vary, but they have a similar structure. You can usually easily mount the drive even to an older gate that has been opened manually so far. It is worth asking professionals for help in choosing a drivetrain, who will help you choose the best model that will ensure trouble-free, proper operation.

What does gate automation consist of?

All gate automation kits are built similarly. Each set consists of an actuator, control panel and a remote control or keypad for entering codes. In addition, it is necessary to have elements responsible for the opening of the gate leaves or the movement of the sliding gate leaf, which work with the actuator. Such elements include: arm, running rail, chain, timing belt, broken or straight boom

Forces are also transmitted by gears and gears. Each of these elements must be adapted to both the weight of the door and the way it is opened. They must also be properly made. The materials should be very durable, so that they can withstand the loads to which they will be subjected. In addition, the materials must also be resistant to weather conditions. Gate automation can also have additional systems that increase functionality, such as photocells for gates, emergency batteries that will ensure the possibility of opening and closing the gate in the event of a power failure, or locking strips. Light systems are also often installed to signal the operation of the system.

How does gate automation work?

Gate automation works in a fairly simple way. The most important element of the entire system is the actuator, responsible for opening and closing the gate. It can have different structures and different power. You need to pay special attention to the power, because it determines the smooth operation of the mechanism. The power must always be matched to the weight and size of the door. The control panel is an element that controls the operation of the actuator. The user sends a signal to the control panel using a remote control or keypad, which signals the actuator to start opening or closing the gate.

How to choose an automation system for your gate?

You usually decide on gate automation because it seems convenient, reliable and effective to you. For this to be the case, it is necessary to correctly select all automation elements and install them correctly. The most important thing when choosing an automation system, i.e. gate drives, is the way the gate is opened, its weight and the width of the entrance.

Sliding gate drive

When choosing the right drive for your sliding gate, you need to consider several factors. First of all, these are the frequency of use of the door and its purpose. As you know, the parameters of drives for industrial and domestic doors differ significantly. In the case of sliding gates, their intensity is up to 50 cycles per day, while for a house door, a standard solution of 20 – 30 cycles is sufficient. Another criterion for choosing a sliding gate drive is its weight. Each type of drive is dedicated to work with a door of a specific weight, specified by the system manufacturer. When choosing, you need to familiarize yourself with both the specifics of your door and the specification of the drive.

It should also be remembered that the automatic cannot work at its maximum power. It is necessary to maintain a certain reserve of power, preferably at the level of 30 – 40%. Thanks to this, the machine will not wear out so quickly and you will be able to use it much longer. You must also not forget that the operation of the sliding gate automation is also affected by weather conditions, especially a cold winter with a lot of snow. With a significant drop in temperature, the lubricant in the gears thickens, which in turn increases the frictional resistance during the operation of the drive. Here, too, the above-mentioned power reserve is important. Gate operators for private properties should have the power to open a gate weighing from 400 to 600 kg. In the case of industrial doors, it must be the power that will open a door weighing even more than three tons, with a frequency of up to 200 cycles per day.

For the proper cooperation of the door and the gantry drive, the is important. It converts the rotational motion of the gear into the linear motion of the moving gate. Depending on your needs, you can choose between metal or plastic skirting boards. The type of material is not the only difference, because these skirting boards also differ in the way they are installed. If you prefer the door to work quietly, a plastic strip will be a better choice. However, it limits the weight of the door, which cannot be more than 400 kg. A metal strip is much more durable, but it causes more noise. It is also worth following the rule to match the metal strip to the metal gear of the actuator.

Swing gate drive

are divided into mechanical and electrohydraulic. In most cases, mechanical ones are used – screw with a broken arm or underground. They are usually chosen because of the price, but also because they are ideal for our climatic conditions. When choosing a drive for a swing gate, the following parameters should be taken into account: the length and weight of the gate leaf, the distance of the hinge axis from the edge of the post, the amount of space necessary for the installation of the actuator.

All these parameters are crucial for the proper and long-term operation of the door. It is also important to be aware of the fact that the efficiency and durability of swing gate drives is affected by the limited airiness of the door, which is exposed to strong gusts of wind. Fully filled wings usually offer more resistance to gusts than airy ones. In the case of doors with limited breathability, for example with wooden filling, it is worth using a more powerful actuator. You can find many types of gate actuators in stores. Models based on a screw design are proven, cost-effective and durable.

A drive with a screw will ensure the reliability of the system, no matter whether the screw is covered or not. The maximum parameters of the screw actuators are the length of the leaf 7 meters and the weight of up to 600 kg. Electro-hydraulic drives have a hydraulic cylinder instead of a screw, which is very durable and robust. It will be a better choice for doors that work intensively. Unfortunately, it is also more expensive than the screw one. In addition, the electro-hydraulic drive requires the installation of a set of heaters, which must maintain the correct temperature of the working fluid during winter frosts. Another popular drive is the drivetrain with a break-arm drive. They can be used for gates mounted on very wide posts. Their advantage is relatively easy installation, which, thanks to the mounting brackets included in the set, does not even require the use of a welder. Currently available actuators allow you to control a sash up to 3.5 m long and weighing no more than 330 kg.

The last type of drive is the underground drive. From the outside, it is practically invisible, but it also costs the most. However, it ensures smooth and trouble-free operation of the door for many years. It should also be remembered that the installation of underground drives is a bit more complicated and requires more knowledge and experience, so it is necessary to leave it to a professional. Very often, in order to be able to install such a drive, it is necessary to make changes to the structure of the poles. It is also necessary to ensure that the actuators are properly drained. This is compensated by the huge advantage of underground actuators, in the form of opening the sash up to 180 degrees, while screw drives only open up to 90 degrees.

How are gate openers powered?

Usually, are powered by electricity. When choosing a drive, you should pay attention to issues related to the way the machine works, as well as the voltage of the motor supply. Drives with a 230 V motor often do not slow down when completing a specific motion sequence and do not have the ability to adjust the speed. In addition, their operation is louder than drives with 240 V motors, used in modern solutions. These provide a soft start and a release when closing, so we can enjoy convenience and safety. The door works not only quietly, but also smoothly. They also have a very economical stand-by function, thanks to which the control panel can go into sleep mode, which saves electricity. Modern automation also ensures that all controllers can be unlocked in the event of a power outage. A special key included in the drive set is used for this.

Useful additional accessories for drives?

It does not matter whether you choose a drive for a sliding gate, swing gate or garage door, it is worth considering buying additional accessories to ensure yourself and other users or third parties full safety of control and use of the door. What accessories are worth using?

Photocells for gates

gives all users a sense of security. It works by blocking the gate or reversing its movement in the event of an obstacle in its path. The lack of a photocell is a serious mistake that can result in even very dangerous situations. What if, when the gate closes, an animal or a small child appears in it and is not aware of the danger? A ready-made tragedy. In addition, the gate may be pressed on, for example, a car passing through the gate, and thus scratched or destroyed. In the case of public, gated or industrial gates, the door owner can get into a lot of trouble because of such a situation. Financial losses guaranteed. It is therefore best to install a whole set of photocells or two, which will also allow the gate to self-close after a certain time. Such protection will ensure the comfort of using the gate and peace of mind.

Signal lamp

indicates the movement of the gate, thus improving the safety of third parties, animals or users in the area of the moving gate. While photocells are installed often, signal lamps for gates are often overlooked, and this is also a mistake. Modern models of lamps are additionally equipped with an internal antenna that amplifies the range of the remote control.

Transmitter, i.e. a remote control for gates

When choosing a remote control, you should pay attention to its type, i.e. the way the signal is encoded in it. Older models have a fixed code, while newer models have a variable code along with a unique recognition system, which further increases protection. A remote control with a variable code is a much better solution, because the fixed code causes the risk of easy copying by an unauthorized person and sudden opening of our gate, even in our absence at home or even breaking into the property. Remote controls have different effects. Some can only be used a short distance from the gate, and others from anywhere. Of course, instead of a remote control, you can also consider controlling the gate with your phone. Remote controls also allow you to open the gate without getting out of the car. All you have to do is mount the remote control on the handle or connect it to high beams, thanks to which you can start the gate simply by flashing the long lights. There are plenty of possibilities.

Control panel

It is worth checking what possibilities it has before choosing a set of actuators. Even the best actuators will not perform their function properly if the control panel is not of good quality. Modern models should be as simple as possible, and at the same time intelligent and ensure the safety of users. The control panel connects peripheral devices via two wires, signals the activated function with an LED diode, automatically remembers the end position of the door and can indicate irregularities in the operation of the system by means of a lamp. For example, it can indicate a specific error with a certain number of blinks.

Where to buy gate automation?

Gate automation is something that is not worth spending money on. After all, you care not only about the proper operation of the door and durability for many years, but also about safety. Supermarkets or online stores tempt with cheap products, but their choice will not always be good. They are burdened with the risk of coming from unknown manufacturers and lack of proper testing. In addition, it is more difficult to buy spare parts for such cheap drives in the event of a failure.

Often they can only be imported on special order. For this reason, professionals often refuse to install automation, the quality of which they consider questionable. Automation will only perform its tasks properly if the components are of good quality and if they are installed in the right way. Therefore, it is better not to "play" with it alone, but to use the services of a professional. Often, the service can be performed even at no additional cost.

Reputed, well-known manufacturers offer not only good quality equipment, but also often delivery with assembly service. You can also count on warranty or even post-warranty service in case of any problems. Remember that price should never be the main criterion for your choice. It is worth investing more in something better, instead of incurring huge costs later due to poorly functioning equipment of poor quality. In specialist stores or from the manufacturers themselves, you can count on professional advice and help in choosing the right automation for your door, even at an affordable price.