What safety features are included in the kits?

Every GateMotors automation kit comes with a set of safety photocells as standard.This consists of a transmitter and a receiver. Photocells are designed to improve the safety of your gates, an infra red beam is transmitted between them and if this beam is broken the gates will not operate in case they come into contact with whatever has broken the beam.You may require a second set if you have large gates or a short drive for additional safety measures. Examples of additional safety features are blinker lights and anti-crush edging. The Blinker lights can be used to show others when the gates are in use and the anti-crush safety edgings work with our control panel to stop the gates if they hit an obstruction.

What are Photocells?

Included in your electric gate automation kit is a pair of safety photocells. This consists of a transmitter and a receiver. Photocells are designed to improve the safety of your gates, an infra red beam is transmitted between them and if this beam is broken the gates will not operate in case they come into contact with whatever has broken the beam. Typically the photocells are placed on the outside of the property, on the gateposts. Therefore if a car or a person is between the gateposts the beam will be broken and the gates will remain open. If the gates have already started to close and the photocell beam is broken then they will reopen as quickly as possible and stay open until the beam is in full contact again. An additional set of photocells can be added to your gate automation system to cover the swinging arc of your gates. This ensures that the gates will stay open until any car going through them has fully cleared the area. Photocell columns can be used to ensure the photocells are at the same height and they also have a protective rain hood.

Using Loop Detectors in the design of your gate system

Gate Automation Loop detectors are used to indicate the presence or passage of vehicles. The system consists of a loop or coil of induction cable and a loop detection unit. Using a loop detector with your gate automation system is a simple and efficient method to operate your gates. The loop of induction cable is set underground in the area approaching the gates and then returns to the loop detection unit, which is wired into the control panel of the gate system. Ehen a vehicle drives over the loop induction cable the loop detector unit picks up the magnetic field and direction of the vehicle and sends a signal to the gates control panel, telling it to open. Loop detectors are typically set up on exit but can also come as a two channel loop detector for entry as well. They can also be set up with a Gate system 7 day timer to retain security as required.

Do I need Gate Stops for my installation?

Gate stops are an essential part of any automatic gate installation. Our motors are programmed to work on resistance; this means that they need to feel resistance to know that they are fully open or fully closed. The electric gate opening systems are fully customisable, so you can tell the gates exactly how far you want them to open. They will then always open to this set degree, but will also be looking for resistance for confirmation. If the motors do not feel resistance they will give an extra turn to ensure they are fully open or fully closed. Therefore over a period of several cycles the gates will fall out of sync and will either under-close or over-open. As a result, adding gate stops to your automatic gate installation is a quick and easy way to regulate the cycle and to ensure they are working to their optimum.