There’s something undeniably appealing about arriving at your driveway and watching your gates open without manual assistance. Automated gate systems have, however, become more popular in the UK because of overly protective factors, their aesthetic value, and the additional advantages that they offer to the properties.

The Evolution of Gate Automation

Challenging weather conditions no longer force you to get out of your vehicle to manually open gates. The modern automated systems have changed people’s perception of property accessibility completely. Over the last decade, technology has improved leaps and bounds. What was previously viewed as a luxury, accessible only to stately homes, is now an option for millions of homeowners across the globe.

The process started with the use of basic television-style remote controls, but now incorporates aspects such as keypads, intercoms, and smartphone integration. Unlike before when early adopters only wished for it, modern systems can now be controlled from any part of the world, ensuring peace of mind and practical benefits.

Types of Automated Gates

The reasoning for choosing a certain automated gate system differs from person to person. It usually depends on the layout of the property as well as the individual’s tastes.

Swing Gates continue to be the preferred option, especially for driveways with ample area available. These swing both inward and outward, like standard gates, and can also be automated. While they are great for larger entrances, they do require some buffer zone to accommodate their swing.

Sliding Gates are increasingly becoming popular, especially for those gates on properties with space constraints. These gates are placed on a track adjacent to your fence or wall. These are perfect for gated driveways on a slope, or any other location that would be too confined for swing gates. 

Bi-folding Gates provide a great option when unrestricted space is a major concern. These gates open by folding first, allowing even limited clearance. In contrast, these gates provide ample allowance when fully opened.

Every type has its own advantages and disadvantages concerning space requirement, maintenance, and difficulty of setting up the gate. 

Important Parts of an Electric System 

Knowing the important parts enables you to master plan your gate installation: 

The Motor of any automated device is its most critical and fundamental component. They are the most basic and crucial components of any system, and as such, they need to be adapted in accordance to the size and weight of your gates. If they are lacking in power, they will collapse. If they are too strong, not only will they consume energy, but they will also damage the system.

Control Mechanisms now have keypads, intercoms, card readers and smartphone interfaces. A vast majority of homeowners prefer using a mix and match of these for different access situations.

Quality systems must include Safety Features for children and pets, such as: Obstacle detection, where gates are programmed to stop, reverse and retract in case an obstruction is detected in their path. This stops damage from happening to cars and most importantly prevents harm coming to kids and pets.

Backup Systems use battery backups to solve the issue of power outages. This way, you won’t get locked out during cuts. Additionally, manual release mechanisms allow for motor disengagement of the gates so they can be operated manually, offering added freedom when power cuts occur.

Installation Considerations

Effective Installation of the Automated System dictates how well the Automated gates serve you over time.

The ground work in particular is crucial: motors and pillars should have sufficient support so that they don’t shift and cause misalignment problems later on. There are also regulations pertained to the protection and depth at which underground cabling is placed that need to be honoured.

In the notoriously damp British Climate, Weather Protection for electronics is crucial. The Control boxes need proper IP Ratings to cover them from external elements. We need to ensure that for every task that needs completion, there are pre-set force settings available on motors and that safety edges are correctly calibrated. Any gates that were installed after 2000 must comply with specific EU rules which have also been adopted into legislation of the UK post Brexit.

Maintenance Matters

All automated gates are expected to run smoothly which means they need to be maintained on a frequent basis to ensure efficiency. Parts that are constantly moving need to be periodically lubricated while sliding tracks best be free of dirt. Water damage due to electronic parts or pest damage also requires regular checking.

As a rule of thumb, most companies provide servicemen every twelve months. adaptation is oftentimes needed due to climate conditions or how frequently the product is being used. Adapting maintenance habits, alongside adapting to set legislation, guarantees laps of product life being extended.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Most noticeable problems that have been encountered stem from bad planning around the supply of power. Gates placed far from the buildings often require additional planning, and in some cases, digging to place power cables may be needed. Other plans revolve around presetting various parts of power gates. If one intends to operate preset force gates, then they have to be lighter than the motors or else it would lead to lacklustre wear and unneeded breakdowns.

It’s best to never cut costs on safety features. Although proper photocells, safety edges, and force limitation settings may appear to be non-essential extras, they are necessary to avoid incidents and legal ramifications.

The Future of Gate Automation

The merger of automated gates with other automated home appliances marks the next step in this technology. The modern systems deployed already integrate with house alarm systems, CCTV cameras, and even smart hubs. There are some that automatically open when they sense your advanced car driving nearby.

With advancements in technology, there will integration features that are more advanced along with tighter security measures as standard. With the ease and security that automated gate systems provide, there is no doubt that these systems will bring great value to homes in the United Kingdom for many years to come.