Setting up a Motor for a Sliding Electric Gate

First, and perhaps most importantly, you should ensure that your sliding gate is in good working order and moves smoothly along the entire length of the track. In other words, there won’t be any rust or decay. If it is difficult to push or pull, or if it binds on the track, the issue must be addressed first. The gate can’t be crooked or broken in any way.

The next step is to install an RCD circuit breaker and power line between the consumer unit and the motor’s placement. A residual-current device (RCD) is a safety mechanism in electrical wiring that cuts power to a circuit if it senses that the live and neutral conductors are not receiving equal amounts of current.

An unbalanced circuit could be caused by a grounded person touching an energized section of the course and being electrocuted. Such situations can cause a fatal shock. The rapid disconnection time of an RCD makes them ideal for protecting users against electric shock. A professional electrician should handle this task. You could also install a solar-powered motor. Free electricity is always a good idea, so even if the upfront cost of a solar kit is a little higher than employing an electrician to lay the cable, it’s still a worthwhile investment.

The moment has come to buy the motor, and the easiest way to do it is to buy a preassembled kit that already has the controller and receiver built in. In this way, you can rest assured that nothing will work with another. A base plate for anchoring the motor to the floor is included. In addition to the necessary controls, rack, and photocells, it will come with most other components.

I recommend utilizing anchor bolts to fasten the plate to the driveway if it is already made of concrete. In the case of a gravel or dirt driveway, a hole will need to be dug for the motor and then filled with concrete, with the plate embedded in the wet concrete. Remove a second photocell cable and thread the power cord through the vessel.

This is a crucial role. It needs to be absolutely level, and you also need to account for the rack size (the bar with teeth) and the installed spacers. The frame must be centered over the motor’s toothed wheel. Verify that no vast bolts are protruding from the gate’s wheels that could get in the way of the engine. After installing the bottom plate, you should consult the manual for further guidance. I recommend waiting two weeks after installing the container into the concrete before installing the motor.

After the motor has been properly installed, you can attach the rack to the gate. The frame can be secured in place using either welding or screwing.

Racking up a good fit.

Simply slide the gate back and forth while supporting the first rack element on the gear using screws and spacers.
Clamping one portion upside down to the previous section ensures that the subsequent area will sit in the correct location. The gate needs this fixed. The process must be repeated until everything has been properly installed.
For the gate’s weight to never be felt by the gear motor, at least 1 mm of space must exist between the rack and gear.
The gear motor must be bolted down before the gate moves.
Move the gate by hand and place the two limit stop brackets on the rack to secure them.
Adjust the limit stops appropriately to ensure the gate won’t crash into the mechanical stops.
Adjust the photocells’ fit.

Most vehicles will be protected by installing photocells 60 centimeters above the ground.
Transmitting and receiving units in a photocell or photoelectric beam system communicate via invisible infrared light. Something is blocking the morning if the shaft is damaged. When installed on either side of an entrance driveway, these prevent the gate from shutting. All brand-new setups have to include them.

Three distinct varieties of photocells exist:

To create a Reflector Beam, a specific reflector is placed opposite the transmitter and receiver. The reflector beam eliminates the need to carry wires across the driveway to both ends. Because they become ineffective if wet, reflector beams are not advised for use in the great outdoors.

With a point-to-point beam, a transmitter may be placed at one end of a driveway and a receiver at the other, making it ideal for automatic gates. When utilized in the great outdoors, these are nearly infallible.

Two point-to-point beams are integrated into a single “Dual Beam” device. If you want to use it, you must destroy both beams. These are commonly used as perimeter alarms for outdoor security.

Alignment

When setting up Photocells, proper alignment between individual units is crucial. Since the transmitter emits a tiny beam of light, the receiver must be precisely aligned with it for the signal to be received. Even worse, if they hardly function, a light rain could render them ineffective, leaving the gate unlocked.
After the wiring, ensure the gate opens and closes properly. Learn to associate the remotes’ buttons with the installed receivers.

Test the installation as directed in the handbook. Check that the motor stays put when the gate opens and closes and that all connections are secure.

Result achieved.

Caution

To be covered by civil liability coverage, which pays for damages due to construction faults, the system must be up to date and use genuine parts from the manufacturer.

Hello, my name is Colin Proctor, and for the past 12 years, I’ve worked on the Costa del Sol as an electric gate installer and repairman. Check out my website at http://expertgates.com if you need help with gate automation.

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