Electric Gates

[DerekPCB]

Hi,

If anyone is an installer of motoroised gates, or had them installed in a residential setting, could you give me advice?

I am getting it all professionally installed, but have a few local companies and each is trying to sell me their kit, so any advice is useful to me right now.

1. We have decided on underground motors. Are these a bad idea? I imagine they may not last as long with the dirt and rainwater, but they are the best looking option compared to swing arms. Could potentially do sliding gate. Thoughts?
2. Names I'm hearing, BFT, NICE, CAME, LiftMaster..other. Are there ones to go for or, or to avoid due to reliability/features or say replacement parts?
3. Is there a type of motor to use, and ones to avoid? e.g. I see there are motors at 24v or full 230v

Thanks

 

[bernardgreen]

I see there are motors at 24v or full 230v

It is easier to have a back up ( battery ) supply for a 24 volt system for the event that there is a power failure and the gates are the only way to get in and out of your property.

There should be a release pin that disconnects the gate(s) from the ( failed ) drive system but as a neighbour discovered it is not easy to find that pin in the dark

 

[flameport]

Underground motors are best for appearance, but will cost significantly more to install and are the absolute worst for maintenance. They do generally last a long time as they should be totally sealed, but parts can and do fail and will inevitably require replacement at some point. Some underground types require that the whole gate is removed first, which for large/heavy gates is an absolute nightmare.
Ram actuators are the next least obtrusive, with articulated arm types being the most obvious. Articulated arm types should be avoided unless that's really the only option - for new gates there isn't any real reason to have them.

Stick with the usual established manufacturers so that parts will be available for years in the future.

The choice of motor is based on the size and weight of the gates, and other factors such as the construction (open slats, solid) which will affect the loading in the wind.
24V motors are typically far more powerful and suitable for intensive use, although that's not particularly relevant for a single domestic property. 230V are usually older designs.

Whatever you get, it's essential that the installation includes the required safety devices, which as an absolute minimum is 2 sets of photocells and safety edges on the gates themselves.
The installation must also be UKCA marked (previously CE marked) and the installer must supply the full technical file for the completed gates which includes things such as the full specification for all of the components, how they have been installed and operating instructions.

All electric gate installations require regular inspection and maintenance, generally every 6 months as a minimum, more often for gates that are used frequently.

You must also consider how these gates will be operated when arriving on foot or in a vehicle, and leaving for the same, and when visitors arrive and leave including deliveries.

 

[DerekPCB]

It is easier to have a back up ( battery ) supply for a 24 volt system for the event that there is a power failure and the gates are the only way to get in and out of your property.

There should be a release pin that disconnects the gate(s) from the ( failed ) drive system but as a neighbour discovered it is not easy to find that pin in the dark

I didn't think about power failure, and what to do. Good to know, and I will find out about battery back up. cheers

 

[DerekPCB]

Underground motors are best for appearance, but will cost significantly more to install and are the absolute worst for maintenance. They do generally last a long time as they should be totally sealed, but parts can and do fail and will inevitably require replacement at some point. Some underground types require that the whole gate is removed first, which for large/heavy gates is an absolute nightmare.
Ram actuators are the next least obtrusive, with articulated arm types being the most obvious. Articulated arm types should be avoided unless that's really the only option - for new gates there isn't any real reason to have them.

Stick with the usual established manufacturers so that parts will be available for years in the future.

The choice of motor is based on the size and weight of the gates, and other factors such as the construction (open slats, solid) which will affect the loading in the wind.
24V motors are typically far more powerful and suitable for intensive use, although that's not particularly relevant for a single domestic property. 230V are usually older designs.

Whatever you get, it's essential that the installation includes the required safety devices, which as an absolute minimum is 2 sets of photocells and safety edges on the gates themselves.
The installation must also be UKCA marked (previously CE marked) and the installer must supply the full technical file for the completed gates which includes things such as the full specification for all of the components, how they have been installed and operating instructions.

All electric gate installations require regular inspection and maintenance, generally every 6 months as a minimum, more often for gates that are used frequently.

You must also consider how these gates will be operated when arriving on foot or in a vehicle, and leaving for the same, and when visitors arrive and leave including deliveries.

1. I think wife has mind made up, and is getting new gates done too. A double swinging gate, and probably underground motor. Definitely no visible arms according to her. How does underground compare to a sliding motor? (if I could convince her to go for a single sliding door)
2. So BFT and NICE I imagine are the known brands, and I shouldn't have an issue?
3. re Motor. The gates will be metal construction, but not solid. Will be traditional fixed bar, but gates and automation will be from same company so I hope the company would be size the motor correctly. But it does sound like 24V is the preferred choice if the cost is not ridiculously higher!
4. re: Safety, I'm aware of accidents that have happened, and with credit to people I've spoken to so far, they all mentioned sensors and safety edges. I was not aware of the technical file to be handed over. I will enquire about this? Is it just the equipment that is certified, or the entire installation?
5. Your last point is very interesting, and is something to think about. So I am thinking intercom using remote app and/or gate fob when in entering with a car. For on foot, keypad/app/gate fob. For regular visitors, keypad to enter and keypad to exit. Deliveries will have to be by intercom or app to be let and let out. We didn't want to have exit button, in case someone jumped gate and let themselves in. Does this sound sensible or have I missed something?

Thanks for the detailed response. This is what I need to be able to make an informed decision.

 

[flameport]

Is it just the equipment that is certified, or the entire installation?

It's the entire installation as a whole - although the individual items may be CE / UKCA marked, that doesn't mean anything, as it's how those items are assembled into a complete machine that matters, and that is entirely down to the installer.
More info here: https://gate-safe.org/

 

[sparkymarka]

Go for a sliding gate ….definitely less problems than underground operators …only one motor and one moving part …

 

[bernardgreen]

Deliveries will have to be by intercom or app to be let and let out. We didn't want to have exit button, in case someone jumped gate and let themselves in

If you have regular callers / visitors / gardeners / cleaners etc etc then consider giving each one a different entry code. Then you can exclude someone by invalidating their code without have to give an new code to every one else.

For exit have a keypad inside the gate with an exit code.

Depending on the system it may be possible to assign a time limited or single use entry code for the delivery driver to use.

 

[ericmark]

With a name like "Cheshire Gate Automation Ltd" one would have thought they knew what they were doing, however from this 2015 report clearly they didn't. I think after that most electrical firms decided it was a specialist job and did not fit them any more, net result is most of us never get involved with remote control gates, those where the security man in his little box opens them yes, but the remote controlled type we don't get involved.
The same applies to garage doors, father-in-law had some fitted by a well know local firm, and they failed to provide a method to open in the event of power loss, which was rather daft when fuse box was in the garage for the whole house.

But so much depends on where you live, my brother-in-law lives at the end of a farm track, and nearest house is ¼ mile away, next one a mile away, no public foot paths, so very unlikely anyone but his friends and family would go anywhere near any gates, although he would not use automatic gates as he could end up with a sheep wrong side and it could destroy his garden.

Back in 2000 I did work on some gates, but that is 20 years ago, so today it is really a lottery as to good or bad install, with most firms shying away from the work.

 

[DerekPCB]

Go for a sliding gate ….definitely less problems than underground operators …only one motor and one moving part …

I'm inclined to agree, but I'm sure misses will not care about boring stuff like maintenance and future problems

 

[DerekPCB]

The same applies to garage doors, father-in-law had some fitted by a well know local firm, and they failed to provide a method to open in the event of power loss, which was rather daft when fuse box was in the garage for the whole house.

We have the same problem. Even though ours was installed not long ago, on occasions I just have to wait for power to come back on before I can access the garage. Maybe there is override but company that installed were not the best for aftercare in the end.

Ours is like this also, as on a few occasions I've had to wait for power to come back to get garage open.

I think after that most electrical firms decided it was a specialist job

I'm going for specialist gate and automation company. If one of these shortlisted companies that have done many before, are not going to get it right, then I don't know what hope any consumer has!

https://gate-safe.org/ that flameport posted has useful info.

 

[bernardgreen]

Ten years ago I looked into having the existing gates to my yard "automated" but gave up the idea as customers and delivery drivers to a florist's shop which I rent out often need to drive into the yard.

The gates are a pair of swing gates

which open both inwards and outwards

Had I gone ahead the plan was to have "soft" gate drives. These would have a slipping clutch linkage so as not to force the gate to move with an irresistible force. Any obstruction would stop the gate moving and the clutch would then slip.

The amount of slip ( difference between required position and actual position ) would be monitored and eventual switch OFF the motor and create an alert.

The idea was that a pedestrian could push the one gate open and it would then gently close behind them.

In the closed position when visitors were not expected then a lock mechanism would operate to lock the gates together in the closed position.

One problem would have been convincing the authorities that the slipping clutch linkage would slip when it was necessary for it to slip

 

[ericmark]

Ours is like this also, as on a few occasions I've had to wait for power to come back to get garage open.

A lock was fitted, where you put in the key and pulled, and the whole unit would come out pulling out a pin, which then allowed one to open the door.