Everything you need to know about installing Swing Gates
A Typical automatic swing gate and pedestrian gate
Automatic Swinging Driveway Gates or walk in personal pedestrian gates are hung from sturdy posts with suitable hinges so they won't drop and drag on the ground. Gate motors pull the gates open and push them closed automatically using a hand held remote control. There are many different types for swing gate motors for different applications.
READ MORE about different types of Swing Gate Motors
Swinging driveway gates may be one piece (single) or two piece (double). Double swing gates require two motors and a cable across the driveway so cost more to install than a single swing gate but take up less driveway space.
If a driveway has slope across it, the bottom of the gate may be raked to follow the contour of the driveway. If the gate slopes up from the road a swing gate may have rising hinges fitted or be made to open outwards.
Cable (Wiring) Requirements for Automatic Swing Gates
Cable for power is run to the control box or motor if it has a built on control unit that can either be hardwired or a Power Outlet installed next to the control box/motor. For double swing gates that have a motor either side power goes to one side only and a low voltage cable is run across the driveway for the second motor. Other cable requirements may include a 2 or 4 core from the gate motor to one or more sets of photocells, digital keypad, intercom, press button or in ground vehicle sensor. If the cable is to go in the ground it must be suitable for in the ground.
How do Visitors get In?
For people you don't know you can install an Intercom on your gate that can either ring inside your house or call you on your mobile phone so you can talk to them and open the gate remotely to let them in.
READ MORE about Gate Intercoms
For visitors you do know rather than giving them a remote control you can install an access control device such as a Digital Keypad and give visitors a pin number, which is also handy for the meter reader, gardeners, cleaners and kids coming home from school.
How Do Visitors get Out?
The simplest option is to install a press button along side the driveway so visitors can press this to let themselves out, although if someone jumps the fence they too can easily use this to open the gate and let a vehicle in. A better option is to use an in ground vehicle detector so if any vehicle (not a person) drives up to the gate from inside the property it will open automatically for them. This system is known as an Auto-Exit Loop
READ MORE about Auto-Exit Loops
An automatic gate closing by itself (auto-close)
An option with most gate motors (operators) is to have it close automatically after a time delay but it is a good idea to install a safety photocell if you want to use this option to prevent the gate from closing on a vehicle. The Photocell can also be used to close the gate as soon as a vehicle has driven through for improved security.