Which swing gate operator to choose?

Which swing gate operator to choose?

Swing gates.

Welcome to our guide on choosing a swing gate operator. Swing gates, also known as winged gates, are undoubtedly the most popular solution for closing the entrance to your property, which makes them widely available and highly diverse. From large manufacturers to local craftsmen making custom gates there is a very wide selection of swing gates that can vary not only in aesthetics and quality of craftmanship, but – what for the purpose of this guide we are most interested in – dimensions and weight.

Size does matter!

The first thing we need to remember is that the chosen drive must have sufficient power to move the leaf of our gate. If our gate is too large or heavy and the drive is too weak, our system will not only not function properly but may also pose a danger. Each manufacturer of access control systems gives detailed technical parameters of their products, so – as long as we pay attention to this – there should be no problem with finding out what drive we need for our gate. We should also pay attention to the fact that the wider (longer) is the wing of our gate, the lighter should be. The same drive for a swing gate will handle a three-meter gate with a weight of 400 kg, but a five-meter gate of only 250 kg. This is due to the way swing gate motors operate and how they are installed.

 

Let us look at the relationship between weight and gate leaf width on the example of the ELI AC A35 V swing gate operator from BFT.

Swing Gate Operator

 

As we can see in the graph on the left, the possible weight to be moved decreases with the width of the gate.

Examples of gates with which the ELI AC A35 V can be used:

  • – a gate leaf with a width of 1 metres which weighs up to 500 kg,
  • – a gate leaf with a width of 1.5 metres which weighs up to 350 kg,
  • – a gate leaf with a width of 2.5 metres which weighs up to 200 kg,
  • – a gate leaf with a width of 3.5 metres which weighs up to 100 kg.

As well as all combinations in between, in line with the technical specifications given by the manufacturer.

 

 

 

Types of posts and their dimensions.

Swing gate operators are mounted on the gate posts (except for the underground operator), with the second mounting attached to the leaf. In this category we should pay attention to the following things: the width of the posts, the distance between the axis of the gate and the edge of the post, the free space around the post. It is also worth paying attention to the mounting plates that come with the drive (whether they will fit the post and the gate leaf).

On the example of the swing gate operator IGEA BT from BFT, let’s check the solution suitable for wide posts.

swing gate operator

In this case we have a wide brick post with the axis of the door protruding closer to the road, which causes a larger distance between the axis of the door and the inner edge of the post. Thanks to the well-designed arm, drives such as IGEA BT can easily cope with a gate of this size and arrangement. It should be noted that when the gate is opened, the IGEA BT folding arm takes up space on the other side of the post, which makes it impossible to use this type of drive if there is no space along the gate, for example if the neighbor’s fence starts where our post ends.

In the case of narrow posts, we will need a dedicated drive for this type of post or special brackets, which enable mounting and proper operation of the drive. Most manufacturers have ready-made solutions for each gate, but it is important that we ourselves assess correctly which drive will be suitable for our gate.

Work intensity.

Another important issue is the number of duty cycles, which the operator should perform. Manufacturers usually inform us about the maximum intensity in which the gate operator can work in cycles per hour or day (eg 48 cycles / day or 10 cycles / hour), for one work cycle we understand the full opening and complete closure of the gate. The operating intensity can also be expressed as a percentage (S3 or S = 30% or Work intensity = 30%). The operating intensity in percent should be read as % of the time that our drive can run, e.g. a drive with an efficiency of 30% can, with intervals, work for 18 minutes per hour. For individual home solutions a 30% efficient drive is sufficient, for more frequented gates it is recommended to install a heavy duty or constant-work drive.

Swing gate operators for You?

When choosing a suitable gate drive pay attention to the width and weight of the gate leaf, the distance from the gate axis to the edge of the post, the amount of space behind the gate for possible moving elements of the drive and the intensity with which the drive will work. The quality of the drive itself is also important, therefore we recommend drives of proven and reputable companies such as Somfy, Bft, Came or FAAC. These manufacturers guarantee high quality of their devices and ensure their wide selection, thanks to which everyone will find a gate drive appropriate to their needs.

Home Automation Mateusz Wojtulewicz.

No matter what kind of swing gate operator you need, you will find it in our online store Home Automation Mateusz Wojtulewicz. We work with leading manufacturers of motorization such as Somfy, Bft, Came, FAAC, Genius, Simu. Our team will be happy to help you with your choice and ensure fast and trouble-free shipment of your orders. Register in our shop and check how much You can save on Your automation purchases!