Types of Commercial Gate Openers

Many homes and places of business utilize fence and gate systems to keep their property safe, clearly marked and free from unwanted guests. Depending on the type of fence, gate location and access point, fence owners will decide between a sliding gate and a swinging gate. After that there are several components for the commercial gate system, including the opener.

When most people think of a gate opener, they often picture the handheld remote or other access device to open and close the access point. In fact, the opener is the mechanical device that opens the gate. It may be a box along the fence line, attached to the gate itself or underground. Commercial gate openers come may be either hydraulic or mechanical. Mechanical openers may be high voltage or low voltage. Today many low voltage systems are enhanced by solar panels to ensure functioning if power is lost.

Mechanical openers are typically used for driveway gates (sliding or swinging) and for barrier gates (think parking garage entry and exit). Mechanical gates draw power from the main line and may be high voltage or low voltage. As mentioned before, back up power systems are essential for in the event of a power outage. Although solar panels are growing in popularity and some openers are 100% solar powered, most openers have a battery operated back up system.

The other common type of gate opener is a hydraulic opener. Using hydraulic fluids, these openers are capable of opening a traditional household driveway gate to larger commercial gates. One benefit of hydraulic openers is that they can be made as non-locking gates, which reduces exterior damage if hit by a vehicle. However, such a vehicle collision may damage the internal seals, which can be repaired. Hydraulic gates are often preferred for commercial fence needs as they more quickly open a larger gate and are better able to sustain vehicle collisions.

Regardless of the type of opener used, safety is always a top priority for the opener manufacturer, installing company, purchaser and end user. Over the years, safety requirements and technology have greatly improved. All gate openers should have obstacle detection and settings to detect and react to wind. Just as there are different types of openers, there are different safety mechanisms that are optimal for your gate opener.

Infra red beams, or photo beams are the most common safety feature. This feature emits two red beams to detect vehicles and pedestrians being caught in a closing gate. In ground loops use magnets to detect when metal passes into the gate field. When an automobile is detected, the gate opens or does not close, depending on how many cars are in line to enter.

In ground loops do not detect pedestrians however and caution signs are an encouraged as a second safety measure. Gate edges are crushed upon collision, crushing a metal core and signaling the gate to stop. It is always important to post warning signs and to educate yourself on the various safety features of your gate, whether for a residential fence gate or a commercial fence gate.

Types of Commercial Gate Openers

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