Electric Gate Motors

An electric gate motor supplies the power that opens and closes your automatic gate. It receives a signal from an access control, like a keypad or a remote control, that instucts it to open or close the gate. The gate will reverse if it hits an obstacle or stay open if you instruct it. Electric gates must comply with the latest safety guidelines.

How An Electric Gate Motor Works

An electric gate motor works much like a garage door motor. A radio signal is sent from a transmitter in your vehicle (which looks like a garage door motor transmitter) to a receiver box that is mounted near the gate. The receiver is wired to a control box and activates a circuit that moves the gate opener arm. The arm swings the gate open. The gate can then be closed in a variety of ways such as pushing the transmitter button again, or the gate can be set to close automatically after a certain amount of time.

Will An Electric Gate Motor Work On All Gates?

An electric gate motor works with a wide variety of  swing gates and sliding gates. Swing gate motors come in two basic styles: Linear and Articulated.  An Articulated Arm style automatic gate motor is pad mounted and more suited to heavier than normal gates and high use situations. (Use with solid wood gates is not recommended, as wind resistance may be a problem). Also, all wood framed gates with automatic gate operators are not a good idea because of the additional strain on the wood frame.

Electric Gate Motors - Swing Gates
Electro-Mechanical equipment is generally designed for the domestic user and has a duty cycle that suits family residences and entrances that are not busy throughout the day. Electro-hydraulic equipment is generally designed for a higher duty cycle and is suitable for busy entrances and prestige gates. Post-mounted operators (Mechanical or Hydraulic) are fixed to the gatepost and a sturdy cross member on the gate.
Underground Gate Operator Underground operators (Mechanical or Hydraulic) fit below ground level to be hidden from view.

Electric Gate Motors - Sliding Gates
Sliding gates offer a number of advantages over swing gates. A sliding gate does not need the space that a swing gate requires to open. This leaves the full length of the driveway usable for parking vehicles. A closed sliding gate offers better resistance to being forced than a pair of swing gates and therefore higher security. Sliding gate openers utilise a rack and pinion system.

What To Look For In A Gate Motor

The power of electric gate motors depend upon several factors:

• The type of gate swing or sliding: Single Swing, Bi-Parting Pair, or Sliding Gate. 
• The weight of the gate
• The length of the gate
• Frequency of use i.e. the duty cycle of the gate. High use will require a more heavy-duty gate motor

Electric gate motor suppliers will advise on the type of motor and power rating required for your gate.

Will Electric Gate Motors Work With My Gate?

If you already have a gate you need to make certain that it will work with an electric gate motor. An Automatic Gate Motor will work with most gates however you should check that your gate is in good operating condition. Check your gate meets the following.

• It is plumb, level and swing freely on its hinges
• It can move without dragging on the ground
• It is fitted with ball-bearing hinges with grease fittings (for gates weighing over 250-pounds)
• The gate posts are secured in the ground with concrete to minimize flex or twist
• The gate has a horizontal cross member to provide stability

How fast does the gate motor open the gate?
The opening time depends on how heavy and long the gate is. Most gates will open to 90-degrees in approximately 20 seconds.

How does the gate close?
Gate Operators are fully capable of adjustable programming to allow for the gate to close automatically after reaching its fully opened position. If you wish to have the gate close sooner than that, push the button on the entry transmitter to activate the gate.

Automatic gate kits
The majority of the popular gate openers that include gate motors are available in kit form. Buying a kit offers a good saving over purchasing individual items and the kits provide all equipment required for a basic radio controlled system. Use a kit as a starting point and add controls and accessories as necessary.

Every gate and its usage is different so obtain professional advice from qualified electric gate installers.