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A gate operator or gate opener is a mechanical device used to open and close a gate, such as one at the end of a driveway or entrance. Generally, a gate operator refers to a commercial grade gate motor for heavy duty gates and a gate opener is the name for a light duty gate opening device usually for residential use.
There are three main types of electric gate openers:
Screw drive or worm swing gate openers, slide gate operators, and barrier gate operators. Other variations of gate operators or gate openers include - invisable or underground gate openers, lift gate operators, and hydraulic gate operators.Automatic and Electric Gate operators are designed for both swinging and sliding gates. Gate openers can be used for single or dual (bi-parting) gate openings. They can be programmed to open and close with a wireless transmitter, button, keypad or a manual device. Automatic gate openers can also be fitted with solar panels instead of direct power to ensure function during loss of electricity or blackouts. Using solar panels with a gate opener limits the amount of opening and closings per day.
Gate Operator and Gate Opener Types
Mechanical Gate Operators
Drawing power from the mains to open a driveway gate . Generally there are four types of electromechanical gate operator: Worm driven (or screw type) swing gates, articulated arm swing gate operators and underground swing gate operators and motors for sliding gates. Electric and automatic gate openers are designed for both sliding and swinging gates and fences. They can be programmed to open with a manual device or a wireless transmitter. Automatic gate operators can also be fitted with solar panels to ensure function during blackouts or loss of electricity.
Hydraulic Gate Operators
These are used to automatically open an automatic driveway gate. As the name implies they use hydraulic fluids to operate their motion. Typically hydraulic operators have less moving parts than mechanical operators.
Gate Opener Types
Swing Gate Openers
Swing gates can use three types of gate openers. A swing gate operator, which is a box, that sits off to the side and has an arm extending to the gate. A ram arm is located on the gate and post and uses either a hydraulic piston or a jackscrew-operated piston. Underground gate operator or gate opener are located by the hinge and operate the gate from below grade.
Slide Gate Openers
A slide gate operator or gate opener are commonly installed at the end of the gate in the closed position but can also be installed by the end of the gate in the open position. A chain is attached across the gate near the bottom and passes through the gate operator or gate opener, which shuttles it back and forth. In the end of the gate/open position you do not see the chain or any operating equipment near the gate. Sliding gates are more hazardous than swing gates and should be equipped with appropriate safety devices.
Barrier Gate Operators
An automatic gate consisting of a breakaway gate arm, motor assembly and housing installed at the departure end of a toll island. A barrier gate is used to reduce violations and speed through a toll lane. Barrier gates installed in both attended and unattended lanes commonly includes a remote control capability to raise the gate for patrons with insufficient funds.
Overhead Gate Operator
An overhead gate operator or gate opener allows gates to be used like conventional garage doors. These overhead gate operators are used in underground parking applications, such as aparment or condo complexes, parking garages and industrial areas.
Accessories - Gate Operators and Gate Openers
Remote Transmitters
Remote transimitters allow you to open your gate much like a garage door opener. They are available in one button, two-button, or three-button remote transmitters and can operate multiple gate operators or gate openers or garage door motors.
Photo Beams
Safety Photo Beams prevent your gate operator or gate opener from closing on your car or on a person by detecting that something is blocking the beam of the device.
Loop Wire & Loop Detectors
Loop wires are placed underneath a driveway or asphault and sense when a vehicle is on top of it. When a vehicle is on top of the loop wire, it will activate the gate to open. The loop wire must be plugged into a loop detector, which in turn, is installed inside the gate operator or gate opener.
Exit Wands
Exit wands work much like loop wires, but are placed along side of the roadway. The exit wand will magnetically detect a vehicle that passes by it and the exit wand will activate the gate operator or gate opener to open.
Safety Edges
Safety edges work much like the rubber edging as seen on elevator doors. When an object or someone touches the edge that is attached to the frame of the gate, the gate will back up in reverse the gate operator or gate opener because it senses that something is in the way.
Telephone Entry
Telephone Entry Systems allow communication between the person inside the building with the person outside the building. A telephone entry system can be used with a gate operator or gate opener to allow a person on the outside to call the person in the building to notify that they are at the gate. The person on the inside then can "buzz" the person in allowing them to enter through the gate.
Digital Keypad
A digital keypad allows a person to enter a pin code, which will activate the gate operator or gate opener to open.
Timers
Timers for a gate operator or gate opener can be used to automatically open the gate at specific times. An example of where a timer would be used for gate openers is at a cemetary where it can open the gate in the morning and then close the gate at dusk to alllow people to come in and out during visiting hours only.
Emergency entry
An emergency entry or "Knox" box is a box that can be set up on a post or on a wall that will allow emergency vehicles to enter your gate if necessary. Emergency workers would break open this box and push a button that is inside that activates a gate operator or gate opener to open.
Card Reader
A card reader allows a person to swipe or put a card in front of the reader and it activates the gate operator or gate opener to open.
Intercom
An intercom system is much like the telephone entry system, but communication is done through intercoms and you can use it to activate a gate operator or gate opener to open.
Indoor Push buttons
A push button will activate a gate operator or gate opener to open when pushed. It can be a one-button, two-button or three-button.
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