I am in the process of having a hefty pair of drive gates automated. The cable run from the house is 100 feet. I am told that 1.5 twin and earth will suffice. Can anyone advise please? I don't think the motors have a very high load. Thanks
automatic gates
- Thread starter calvert
- Start date
Best advice is to get the full specification including the start up current of the motors which can be several times the running current when at normal speed and someone here will give you the necessary MINIMUM size of cable. Add in the current for any future lights etc that may be added.
Lay in a duct for the cables. Experience of fault finding on two gate systems has shown the need to retro fit better cables when the entry-phone- control system failed to work reliably.
Lay in a duct for the cables. Experience of fault finding on two gate systems has shown the need to retro fit better cables when the entry-phone- control system failed to work reliably.
if the cable is going outside, shoudn't you use SWA not T+E.
just a thought...
on the size,
I would place a bet on 2.5mm
just a thought...
on the size,
I would place a bet on 2.5mm
There is very little startup current on gate openers - They are highly geared, and the motors tiny.
You still the need the loading - But I would bet on the supplier coming back and telling you "13 amp mate"........as in they have no idea.
Use SWA - including for the intercom and call button - typically a 10 pair SWA telecom cable is the cheapest size, and leaves spare capacity.
I would bet on 1.5 being OK - 100ft is not that far.
Maybe you would be best speccing the cable size as a 20amp radial, and including a socket at the far end too. Thinking a head
A 20amp radial - 4mm
A 13amp radial - 2.5mm
If using 1.5mm, at 33m you are limited to 10amp - still probably ample for the openers.
You still the need the loading - But I would bet on the supplier coming back and telling you "13 amp mate"........as in they have no idea.
Use SWA - including for the intercom and call button - typically a 10 pair SWA telecom cable is the cheapest size, and leaves spare capacity.
I would bet on 1.5 being OK - 100ft is not that far.
Maybe you would be best speccing the cable size as a 20amp radial, and including a socket at the far end too. Thinking a head
A 20amp radial - 4mm
A 13amp radial - 2.5mm
If using 1.5mm, at 33m you are limited to 10amp - still probably ample for the openers.
I've done a few lekky gates. 1.5mm is fine for that distance but SWA, not t&E. Also 1.5 SWA from one gate to the control box. You'll need 3core for that as you have fwd revers and common for the motor.
Put all SWA in a service duct so u can pull in more wires that you forgot.
Connx for control suff (magic beam etc) I run in CAT5 down the svc duct.
Never had any probs except when clients meddle with the settings.
Will u have a buried inductiive loop as a gate opener? I use T&E for that and connect up the three cores in series so you get a three wire loop if you get my drift.
This is OK for domestic driveway. Read raoadways need much tougher cable for the loop.
Put all SWA in a service duct so u can pull in more wires that you forgot.
Connx for control suff (magic beam etc) I run in CAT5 down the svc duct.
Never had any probs except when clients meddle with the settings.
Will u have a buried inductiive loop as a gate opener? I use T&E for that and connect up the three cores in series so you get a three wire loop if you get my drift.
This is OK for domestic driveway. Read raoadways need much tougher cable for the loop.
I've done a few lekky gates. 1.5mm is fine for that distance but SWA, not t&E. Also 1.5 SWA from one gate to the control box. You'll need 3core for that as you have fwd revers and common for the motor.
Put all SWA in a service duct so u can pull in more wires that you forgot.
Connx for control suff (magic beam etc) I run in CAT5 down the svc duct.
Never had any probs except when clients meddle with the settings.
Will u have a buried inductiive loop as a gate opener? I use T&E for that and connect up the three cores in series so you get a three wire loop if you get my drift.
This is OK for domestic driveway. Read raoadways need much tougher cable for the loop.
1.5mm is a tad small by my calculations as detailed above
Yes it would work.....but.....
If you have an intercom you will need twisted pairs for the speech circuits
The loop has advantages if it is a swing gate. The loop should stop the gates swinging if a car is parked where the swinging gates will hit it.
And if you have loops don't run the SWA under the drive where the loop is as although the stee in the cable doesn't (shouldn't) prevent the loop sensing cars it does reduce the sensitivity.
I know nothing about gates except the need to do it properly. There's a 'gated' development opposite where I live and the gates never close. They used to, but one day they failed. A man came and dug up the concrete and they worked for a time. Then they failed again and have been open for several months. No idea why but there's clearly at least two ways of installing gates - competently and incompetently.
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