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How to Install Intercoms for Automatic Gates 

Gate Intercoms replace the front door bell seeing as an automatic gate stops anyone from getting to the front door. They consist of a weather proof outdoor station with a button that calls an indoor station so a resident may talk to or see (if its a video intercom) a visitor to identify who they are before letting them in. A Gate Intercom has the facility to operate an automatic gate or release an electric lock on a pedestrian gate or both from the indoor station, before buying an Intercom for your gate make sure it has this facility, not all of them do. 

There are gate intercoms that will work with gates shared by more than one residence. These have more than one labelled call button that when pressed calls one residence. If the are a lot of households or offices then there may be a digital keypad for entering an residence number or a display to look up a resident to call from a list.

Anyone handy with tools can install a gate intercom with help from this page that will take you through everything you need to know about the electrical side of powering devices, connecting electric locks, automatic gates, digital keypads etc... and the IT side of the more modern IP, WiFi and 4G Intercoms.

Solar Powered Gate Intercoms

If wanting to power an intercom from a Solar Powered gate motor the solar panel, battery and possibly even the solar charge controller will need to be upgraded or a stand alone solar system used. There will need to be at least a 40Watt 12V Solar panel, 24Ah deep cycle or Lithium Ion battery added to allow for each device.  

Installing Wiring for Analogue Audio Intercoms  

wiring diagram for simple 1 to 1 analogue intercom

Simple one to one audio gate intercoms have a 2 to 6 core wire run between the gate and indoor station requiring power at the indoor station only. Power for the Outdoor station is run through this cable. A two core cable is also required between the outdoor station and electric lock for a pedestrian gate or automatic gate motor. 

Wiring for intercoms is low voltage so you don't need to be a registered electrician to install it, although you do need to use the correct type and size of wire so the intercom will work properly and so the wiring doesn't deteriorate in the ground after a few years use and stop working.

 ... READ MORE about Installing Low Voltage Cable.

Some Intercoms require only two wires for everything, others have two wires for the audio and power but the lock and gate control have separate 2 cores each. Common practice for analogue audio gate Intercoms is to install Cat5 cable that has 4 pairs or 8 cores to cover all bases, although if it is to go in the ground then it should be rated for in the ground.

The distance between the Indoor and Outdoor Intercoms also needs to be considered, if too far the Intercom may not work properly or a thicker wire is needed. Check the specifications for an Intercom before installing cable or if in doubt contact us, we're more than happy to help.  

wiring diagram for connecting power to a intercom inside station

Powering the Indoor station is normally with a power adaptor that plugs into a normal power outlet, which can look a bit ugly but the low voltage wire can be extended and run in the walls or in a cupboard behind the wall so the power adaptor can be plugged in away from the intercom and not be seen.

The Cable between the Indoor and Outdoor Stations and any low voltage power cable must be at least 200mm away from any mains voltage cabling so when being run out to a gate the mains cabling should be in a conduit at least 200mm away the the intercoms. If buried in the ground normally mains power would be 600mm (2') deep and the intercom between 100mm (4") and 400mm (16") deep and in conduit.  

wiring diagram for intercom with two indoor stations

Intercoms may also have more than one indoor station with one being a master and extras being subs, slaves or extensions. These are wired back to the master normally requiring 6 core cables. The wire between the Master and Outdoor Station remains the same. Generally all stations can be powered from a single power adaptor or have one each depending what is the easiest as far as wiring goes.

wiring diagram for 2 indoor and 2 outdoor stations

There may also be two gates needing to call the same indoor stations. These generally need to also be wired back to a master Indoor Station. They always come with wiring diagrams showing how many cores are needed and where they should go.

wiring diagram for multi-residence intercom

If a gate is shared by more than one house or office an Outdoor station with more than one call button maybe used so wiring will be needed to each indoor station although these are normally powered at the outdoor station and could be powered from a gate motor or power adaptor. The amount of wiring needed with these systems can be a lot but there are IP and Wireless solutions to this, read on for more details. 

Installing Wiring for Analogue Video Intercoms

wiring diagram for video intercom

Very early Video Intercoms did require a Coaxial cable for video and a number of other cables for audio, power and lock but these days they have either 2 or 4 core wires that aren't Coaxial or Twisted pairs in fact this type of cable generally won't work very well. 2 core Intercoms generally have a 2 core cable that is a non-twisted 0.9mm2 or larger solid core cable for Audio, Video and Power then additional 2 core cables for each gate to be operated. Some have a 4 core non-twisted that can be 0.4mm2 or 0.65mm2 two pair telephone cable that includes operation of one gate but another 2-core is needed for operation of a second gate.

To find good quality proven and reliable Intercoms see Hardwired Analogue Audio and Video Intercoms

Installing Wiring for the latest technology IP Video Intercoms 

IP (Internet Protocol) Gate Intercoms are a new type of Intercom that uses Cat 5 Network Ethernet cable run between one or more Outdoor Stations and Indoor Monitors. These do need power for each device that can come from power adaptors like analogue Intercoms do OR can be powered through the Cat 5 Cable using PoE (Power over Ethernet)..

wiring diagram for IP Intercom with PoE Switch

A way to simplify power wiring to IP Gate Intercoms is to use a PoE Switch, which plugs into a normal power outlet and powers all devices through the Cat 5 cable. This also allows extra monitors and outdoor stations to be added with one only Cat 5 cable from each running to the PoE Switch forming a local area network (LAN), although a separate power source is still needed for an electric lock, which can come from a power adaptor or from a gate motor. Details about how to wire up the electric lock will be covered later on this page. 

If using PoE its best to stick with standard 48V PoE, some Intercoms use passive 24V PoE that isn't compatible, sticking with standard 48V PoE future proofs the system as this is the way they will all be eventually. 

A switch that doesn't have PoE can still be used to form the network, with all devices being powered from a common or separate power adaptors with low voltage power cabling run where necessary. A power adaptor used for an IP Intercom can also power an Electric Lock.

Terminating the Cat 5 cable is done by connecting RJ45 plugs on the end of each cable that plugs into each device and requires a special crimping tool. There are many resources on the Internet on how to do this.

The IP Outdoor stations and Indoor Monitors also need to be initialised and set up to work with each other, which requires a computer connected to the same network as the intercom, although can be done with a tablet or Smartphone too if the installer has no computer. See Setting up IP Intercoms for Details on how to do this.

wiring diagram for multi-residence IP Intercom

IP Video Intercoms simplify wiring if more than one residence shares the same gate or gates. An IP Outdoor Station with more than one labelled call button can call different IP Indoor Monitors in different residences or if there are a lot then a digital keypad for entering a residence number can be used or a display with scroll buttons can be used to find a residence from a call list.

Getting an Intercom to Call a Smart Phone or Tablet 

wiring diagram for IP Intercom with PoE switch and WiFi Access point

A WiFi hotspot can be added to a local area network (LAN) using a WiFi access point so a Smartphone or Tablet with an App installed can be called too and have the same features as a fixed monitor such as being able to open a gate.

wiring diagram for IP Intercom with router connecting to the Internet

If connected to a Home Internet Router then a Smartphone or mobile enabled Tablet will work anywhere in the world. Some IP Outdoor Stations can call Mobiles or Tablets directly without the need for an Indoor Monitor. If PoE is required normally a separate PoE Switch is needed.

Installing Wireless IP Video Intercoms

wiring diagram for a WiFi intercom

If getting a Cat 5 cable out to the gate is difficult then an IP Intercom with Built in WiFi can be used. For this to work there should be a clear line of sight between the gate and the house and the distance is normally limited to 20m from the modem depending on what walls it must go through and how much other WiFi traffic there is near the gate. These Intercoms generally DON'T have any way to add an extension antenna to improve range but there are other options.

wiring diagram of IP Intercom with an Outdoor Access Point added

If an IP Intercom doesn't have built in WiFi or the WiFi at the gate isn't strong enough then an Outdoor Wireless Access Point can be installed at the gate to connect to the Home or office router. These have a built in hi-gain directional antenna and adjustable power amplifier so can go up to a couple of hundred metres from the house. Most Outdoor Access Points are Powered with 24V PoE and can with a 24V PoE Injector that plugs into mains power. If you want to run this from a 12V gate motor then a 12V to 24V DC to DC converter is needed and Passive PoE Injector. For a 24V gate motor a 24V regulator is needed with passive PoE Injector. If the gate motor is solar powered then the solar system will need to be upgraded to handle the extra loading or a separate suitably size solar system used. These components are available on this website in the Networking and Solar and Low Voltage Pages.

Outdoor WiFi Access points come in 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz, 2.4Ghz will go through walls of a house and some trees but 5Gz won't these need a clear line of sight but if there are a lot of other WiFi Hotspots around 5GHz works better.

WiFi Links 

wiring diagram of an IP Intercom system with WiFi link from gate to house

For longer distances a WiFi link can be established between the gate and a roof top using 2 x Outdoor Wireless Access Points aimed at each other. These also need a clear line of sight although if there isn't and there is a shed or lamp post that has clear line of sight to both the gate and house an additional two Outdoor Access Points can be added to act like a repeater. Any number of these can be added to provide a stable WiFi Link. Each repeater does need power so a shed with power or lamp post with permanent power connected is ideal, other wise solar power is an option but the devices aren't optimised for solar so large Solar Panels and Batteries would be needed. It may be more economic to install a 4G Gateway at the gate

4G Video Intercoms 

wiring diagram for IP Intercom with Wireless Internet Modem

If getting WiFi out to a gate is difficult then an IP Intercom with a 4G Gateway used for Intercom Access calling Smartphones, Tablets with mobile phone access or some intercoms can call a Monitor connect to a Home Internet Router. This effectively makes an IP Video intercom into a 4G Video Intercom.

There are also audio only 4G Intercoms that can call Smartphones and conventional landlines.

These do require a SIM so there is monthly fee If you'd rather not pay an extra monthly fee.

See WiFi, 4G, IP Intercoms and Cameras for Gates for Available Packages

How to Add Extra Cameras to an IP Video Gate Intercom 

wiring diagram of IP Intercom system with IP Cameras added

The camera in an IP Video Gate Intercom can be viewed at any time from an IP Indoor Monitor or from a Smartphone from anywhere in the world and gate operated but generally the Intercom is next to the gate so can't see the gate. IP Intercoms generally do have an input for a sensor on the gate to let you know if the gate is open or not, which is a handy feature but it is also handy to know if a visitor like a courier has finished dropping a package off and you want to close the gate behind them, which is where adding a camera to the system is a good idea.  

IP Cameras can easily be added to the same network as the IP Intercom and the cameras viewed from the Monitor or Smartphone App. Camera can be powered from PoE or power adaptor like Intercom Stations can. A Network Video Recorder (NVR) can also be added to the network and setup to record video from all cameras 24/7 so you can check who has been coming and going. Cameras can also have built in SD cards for recording or can record to a cloud so if someone cleans your house out including the NVR you'll still have a record of what happened. 

 

Powering Devices from a Gate Motor.

The Outdoor Station for an Intercom, Digital keypad, Photocells or any other device that require 12VDC to 24VDC power can be powered from a gate motor. All gate motors have an output for powering accessories, the voltage of this output is usually the same as the motor that is 12V Motors will have a 12VDC Output and 24V motors a 24VDC output, although it isn't quite as simple as that as the actual voltage you will get if you put a multimeter on it will be more like 16VDC or 35VDC respectively with no load, and will reduce somewhat when loaded. Motors that run off a battery will be more like 13.8V or 26.7V, which will also reduce a little when loaded. 

If the gate motor is Solar Powered then the Solar system will need to be upgraded to cope with the extra power draw from an added Intercom so it's battery doesn't run flat. Gate Intercoms generally aren't optimized for solar so larger solar panels, batteries and charge controllers will be needed.

It is important the device being powered is compatible with the voltage from the motor and that the power draw isn't too high. If a device is rated for 24VDC it may not be able to handle the 35VDC output by most 24V gate motors, it's a good idea to check the specifications for the devices power supply before powering it up and finding it stops working after a short time or just won't work at all because the supply voltage is too high. Most device will work on both 12V and 24V but quite often have a switch inside to set the voltage and some device even have a spot to bridge with solder so change the voltage. 

wiring diagrams for power to an intercom from a gate motor

A DC to DC voltage converter is a handy device for matching voltages. Most gate motors are 24V and have an actual voltage of 35VDC on the accessories output and most Intercoms require 12VDC so a 24V to 12V Converter is needed that can handle an input or up to 40VDC. We sell such a beast on or website. 

How to Wire an Intercom to a Gate Lock or Motor 

This is where things can get a little tricky as some Intercoms have a powered lock output that has 12V or other voltage to release (unlock) an Electric Strike Lock for a Pedestrian Gate or front door whereas other intercoms have no voltage output just a clean relay contact closure (like the flick of a swing or press of a button) ideal for directly activating an automatic driveway gate motor. 

wiring diagrams for connecting an electric lock or gate motor to an intercom

How can you tell what output your Intercom has?  Well apart from reading the instructions if there are terminals marked "C", "NO" and maybe a third terminal marked "NC" then this is a no voltage output with clean contacts. The "C" is a common, "NO" is Normally open and "NC" is Normally closed.  If there is a "NC" terminal normally there will be a connection made between the "C" and "NC" terminals and when the "Lock" button is pressed on the indoor station this connection is broken and a connection is made between "C" and "NO" terminals.  

If the output has the picture of a lock or terminals labelled "+" and "-" then this intercom has a powered lock output.  If you connect a 12VDC lock to it and it buzzes then the output is AC and if it gets a little too warm then its possibly a higher voltage than 12V.  If you have a multimeter simply check the output with this.

How to Match AC or DC Locks to an Intercoms output 

An Intercom with a 12V to 24V DC output can be used with a 12VAC lock so long as the output from the intercom has enough current (amps). If the intercoms output is higher than 12V the lock may over heat if powered up for too long so should have a drop down resistor added to minimise this. The drop down resistor should be at least 5 Watts and have a suitable resistance calculated depending on the locks current using Ohms law (resistance = voltage/current). The same goes for a 12VDC lock powered by an Intercom with an output DC voltage higher than 12VDC too.

An Intercom with a 12V to 24V AC output can be used with a DC lock too but requires a rectifier to work as well as a drop down resistor if the locks voltage is lower than the supply. AC locks tend to buzz to let the user know it is working, DC locks tend to make a small clicking noise only. A Rectifier converting AC power for a DC lock may still cause the lock to buzz, if you'd rather it was silent you could add an Electrolytic Capacity across the DC side rated at 100uF or more depending on how quiet you want it. Make sure it is at least 35V and the positive goes to positive. All electronic components mentioned can be purchased from electronics stores. 

wiring diagrams for matching an AC or DC lock to an Intercoms output

How to Convert an Intercoms Lock Output 

If an intercom provides power for an electric lock but the lock you have is a different voltage then a relay that matches the Intercoms lock output can be used to switch power from a separate power source to the lock. This may be from a power adaptor or power output from a Gate Motor.  The advantage of this is you can use what ever voltage lock you want so long as you have a suitable power supply to match it.  The Power supply must have a high enough power rating for the electric lock other wise it may burn out or the lock may not work reliably. 

wiring diagram for connecting an electric lock to an intercom with un-matching voltage

If the Intercom has a Clean Contact Output and you want to power an Electric lock you can but you will need a power source for the Electric Lock.  

  wiring diagrams of alternate methods for connecting an electric lock or gate motor to an intercom

If you want to use an Intercom with a powered lock output to open an automatic gate you can but you need to add a relay first that is activated from the voltage output from the intercom and provides the clean contacts needed to open the automatic gate.  Do NOT connect the powered output of the Intercom to the input of the gate motor control board as you could damage it.  The relay must match the voltage from the Intercom.

How to Wire a Magnetic Lock 

A magnetic lock requires power applied to it to lock and removed to unlock so is the opposite way around to an electric strike lock.  If an Intercom lock output has three terminals marked "COM", "NO" and "NC" then this is ideal for connecting a magnetic lock although a separate power source is required. The power source must have a high enough continuous power rating for the Magnetic Lock otherwise it may not be able to provide enough power to lock the gate properly or worse still burn out and stop working altogether.  The "COM" terminal is a common, "NO" is Normally open and "NC" is Normally closed.  Normally there will be a contact made or closed between the "C" and "NC" terminals and when the "Lock" button on the inside station is pressed this contact is broken or opened so will remove power from the magnetic lock. 

If the Lock Output of an Intercom is 12VAC, 12VDC or 18VDC you can still connect a Magnetic Lock but you will need a relay to match with a normally closed (NC) output and a separate power source to match the Magnetic Lock.  12AC relays are more difficult to find than 12VDC relays so you can use a rectifier and capacitor to convert the 12VAC into 12VDC like we did with an electric strike lock earlier.  A 12VDC relay can handle 18VDC for short periods although a drop down resistor is a good idea so the relay doesn't over heat like we did with electric strike locks earlier.  A 1Watt 220Ohm drop down resistor is recommended or a 39Ohm if using an automotive relay.

wiring diagrams of how to connect a magnetic lock

How to Wire a Digital Keypad

A Digital Keypad is normally powered from the same source as the Intercom or Lock as they can accept 12V to 24V AC or DC. Digital Keypads have clean contact outputs so connecting an Electric Strike Lock, Magnetic Lock or Gate motor is the same as connecting to an Intercom with this type of output.  Digital keypads normally have an input for an external press button, which can also be used for an intercom to activate the keypads output so both the intercom and digital keypad can release a gate lock or open an automatic gate.

wiring diagram of how to connect a digital keypad and press to exit button to an intercom

How to Wire Gate Position Sensors or Outputs

IP Video Intercoms normally have a Monitored Input for the connection of some form of feed back that indicates when a pedestrian or driveway gate is fully closed. Feed back can come from a reed switch fitted to a gate post and a magnet on the gate so when the gate is close the magnet is very close to the reed switch causing it to close its contact like a switch being turned on or if an electric gate lock is a 'monitored' variety it will have an output that also has a closed contact when a gate is closed. Swing and Sliding gate motors normally also have either an open indicator output or output to turn on a light when the gate is opened, this out can also be used to activate a relay that will provide a contact closure when the gate is closed.

wiring diagram of how to connect gate position sensor and outputs to an intercoms monitored input