Why choose an Automatic Gate

Why choose an Automatic Gate

The most practical solution to open and close a home driveway gate is certainly to have an automatic gate. An automatic gate for every need.

Here are some excellent reasons to explain why choose an automatic gate:

The automatic gate is the most practical and fastest solution to open and close the gate of your home or business, pressing a button on the remote control, entering a code, or with a classic key.
The convenience of opening the gate directly from inside your car and avoiding, in many cases, rain and adverse weather conditions is certainly one of the main reasons to opt for this type of gate.
So why choose an automatic gate? The answer is simple because it means making your daily routine easier by saving time and effort. But we must carefully study the type of gate that is perfect for each context.
To make a choice, it is also necessary to define the frequent or less frequent use of the gate. Thus, three types of gates are highlighted:
• A residential gate that is used a few times a day and therefore can be operated with a lighter opening system;
• Condominium gate that has a more frequent use, multiplied by all the condominiums;
• Gate with intensive use that goes up to a hundred times a day, and consequently needs a more resistant engine : 
Once the frequency of use has been defined, the gate must be chosen between the two types, choosing the one that meets your needs:

The automatic sliding gate, which has a rack where the structure moves on wheels, opens a passage that leaves the Passage free, perfect for mounting outside a house.
The automatic swing gate is formed by two doors that open thanks to the electric motor or the motor with hydraulic actuators, for very large gates and with considerable weight. The power of the motor is directly proportional to the size and weight of the gate, and its resistance must be studied based on the frequency of use.

The advantage of choosing an automatic gate lies in the wide variety of choices and the thousand possibilities of use that adapt to all the possibilities of space and conditions of use.
Furthermore, considering the space available and the frequency of use is essential to have a product that effectively meets its needs, thus avoiding unnecessary investments. For your automatic gate, choose Royal Electronic.

We have been working for over 28 years in the field of automatic gates, offering our customers a wide variety of gates and all
accessories such as remote controls, photocells, antennas, digital keyboards, flashing lights, etc.
We supply and install automation for automatic doors, gates, barriers, overhead doors, sectional doors, garage doors, and shutters. We focus on the quality of our services, and for this reason, we produce our gates exclusively with raw materials elements within our company, to guarantee a qualitatively valid and long-lasting product. We can offer you a complete service, from the choice of the gate to the assembly, and we will always be present, guaranteeing your assistance and maintenance after the purchase.

Choosing an automatic gate for a home offers a compelling blend of practical benefits and an enhanced lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown of the technical reasons why they are a popular choice:

1. Enhanced Security and Access Control

• Physical Barrier: An automatic gate acts as a robust physical deterrent, making unauthorized entry significantly more difficult than an open driveway or a manual gate that can be easily left ajar.
• Controlled Access: Automatic gates integrate with various access control systems (keypads, remote controls, smartphone apps, RFID tags, intercoms). This allows homeowners to precisely control who enters their property and when. You can grant temporary access codes for visitors or service providers, and even revoke access as needed.
• Deterrence: The mere presence of an automatic gate signals that the property is protected and monitored, often discouraging opportunistic criminals.
• Integration with Security Systems: Modern automatic gates can be seamlessly integrated with a home’s broader security infrastructure, including CCTV cameras, motion sensors, and alarm systems. This creates a comprehensive security ecosystem, allowing for real-time monitoring, alerts for unusual activity, and even automated responses (e.g., gates close and locks if an alarm is triggered).
• Privacy: Automatic gates, especially those with solid designs or greater height, can significantly enhance privacy by blocking visibility into the property.
• Anti-Tailgating Mechanisms: Some advanced systems can close quickly enough to prevent a second vehicle from entering behind an authorized one.

2. Convenience and Ease of Use the Automatic Gate

• Remote Operation: The most obvious benefit is the ability to open and close the gate with a remote control, keypad, or smartphone app, eliminating the need to get out of the car, especially in inclement weather or late at night.
• Time-Saving: The automated operation is faster than manually opening and closing a gate, saving time in daily routines.
• Automated Features: Many gates can be programmed to close automatically after a vehicle passes through, or even open upon approach with vehicle detection sensors.
• Smart Home Integration: Compatibility with smart home hubs (like Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit) allows for voice control and the creation of automated routines (e.g., “Goodnight” routine closes the gate, locks doors, and arms the alarm).

3. Safety Features on Automatic Gate

• Obstacle Detection Sensors (Photo-eyes): These sensors create an invisible beam across the gate’s path. If the beam is interrupted by a person, pet, or object, the gate immediately stops or reverses its motion to prevent accidents, particularly crushing injuries.
• Safety Edges (Pressure-sensitive strips): Attached to the gate’s edges, these strips detect physical contact with an object, instantly stopping and reversing the gate. This provides an additional layer of protection if an object is already in the gate’s path.
• Soft Start and Stop: This feature reduces sudden jerks in the gate’s movement, making the operation smoother and safer.
• Manual Release: In case of a power outage or system failure, automatic gates are equipped with a manual release mechanism, allowing them to be opened by hand. Some systems also have battery backups for continued operation during power failures.
• Audible and Visual Alerts: Flashing lights and warning beeps can alert people nearby when the gate is in motion, reducing the likelihood of accidental contact.
• Child and Pet Safety: Automatic gates prevent children and pets from wandering off the property into potentially dangerous areas like busy streets. Proper installation also ensures there are no pinch points where a person could become trapped.

4. Property Value and Aesthetics of the Automatic Gate

• Increased Curb Appeal: Automatic gates come in a wide variety of materials, styles, and designs, allowing homeowners to choose a gate that complements their home’s architecture and enhances its visual appeal.
• Higher Property Value: The enhanced security, convenience, and aesthetic appeal of an automatic gate can increase a property’s resale value. Some studies suggest it can add a significant percentage to the home’s value.
• Potential Insurance Discounts: Many insurance companies offer lower premiums for homes with automatic security gates due to the reduced risk of theft and other incidents.

How They Work (Technical Overview):

Automatic gates typically consist of the following main components:

• Gate Structure: The physical barrier itself, which can be a swing gate (opens like a door), a sliding gate (slides horizontally along a track), or other specialized types like bi-fold or vertical lift gates.
• Electric Gate Opener/Motor: The “heart” of the system, this electrically powered motor (AC or DC, sometimes with solar or battery backup) provides the mechanical force to open and close the gate.
  • For sliding gates, the motor turns a gear that engages with a toothed rack attached to the gate, moving it along a track.
  • For swing gates, the motor typically operates an articulated arm or hydraulic ram attached to the gate and its post.
• Control Panel: This is the “brain” of the operation, receiving signals from the access control system and directing the motor’s function. It manages opening/closing cycles, safety protocols, and integration with other systems.
• Access Control System: This is how users interact with the gate. Common methods include:
  • Remote Controls: Handheld transmitters send a signal to the receiver.
  • Keypads: Require a numerical code for entry.
  • Smartphone Apps: Allow remote control and monitoring via Wi-Fi or cellular data.
  • Intercoms: Allow communication with visitors before granting access.
  • Sensors: Vehicle detection loops or infrared beams can trigger the gate to open automatically for authorized vehicles.
• Safety Sensors: As mentioned above, photo-eyes and safety edges are crucial for preventing accidents.
• Power Supply: Most gates are connected to the main electrical grid, but solar panel options are available for eco-friendly operation or locations without easy grid access. Backup batteries are also common to ensure functionality during power outages.

In essence, choosing an automatic gate for a home is a technical decision driven by the desire for advanced security, unparalleled convenience, inherent safety features, and a significant boost in property appeal and value.

How do the photocells (Safety Sensors) of the automatic gate work?

Automatic gates work thanks to an electric motor and photocells that receive signals and detect obstacles, activating or stopping the gate’s opening and closing process.

How do the photocells work for your automatic gate?

Specifically, the photocells for the automatic gate are devices installed near the automatic gate, which do not allow the gate to close if their range of action is obscured by the presence of a person or a car.
There are at least two photocells for automatic gates, and they are placed in a straight line to check the presence of obstacles along the entire length of the gate.

The photocells are positioned one in front of the other, as one is programmed to send the signal to the second, which in turn directly transmits the input to block the movement of the gate in the presence of obstacles.
The photocell, called the transmitter, has an LED that sends infrared signals to the other photocell receiver, which detects the input. When the second photocell fails to detect the infrared light, it immediately sends a signal to the control unit, forcing the automation to stop.
Using infrared light with a frequency that the human eye cannot see is a choice designed to prevent sunlight from interfering and sending incorrect signals to the photocells.

The alignment of the photocells of the automatic gate is calculated so that in this position, both the two photocells and the automation of the gate are hindered by cars or people passing near the moving gate.
The assembly of the photocells of the automatic gate foresees the perfectly inline positioning of the two sensors that must be placed at the same height. In the assembly phase, the recommended height is 50 cm from the ground to easily solve the problem of remote alignment.

Both photocells must be connected to the electric current, but only the transmitter, which sends the command, must also be connected to the control unit through a specific photocell cable. In any case, it is preferable to contact competent personnel to correctly mount the photocells and avoid creating problems for the entire system.
As for the maintenance of the photocells, it is very important to regularly check the operation because the latter could be damaged even by a simple storm. In the conditions in which the photocells are only dirty or obstructed by leaves or plants, simply clean them to restore correct operation; instead, if you continue to encounter problems, it is good to do more in-depth checks by contacting us.

Even if they are no longer perfectly aligned, the photocells stop working correctly, but in this case, they just need to be repositioned correctly to restore their activity.

Royal Electronic has many products for swing gates, sliding gates, overhead and sectional doors, road barriers, rolling shutters, sliding doors, and all automation accessories.
We have built-in wall-mounted photocells with included batteries or mirror photocells. The best of our products are produced in Italy, are of the highest quality.

If you are looking for “automatic gate photocells,” you will not be worried; our wide range of photocells for gates assures you the possibility of finding the product that fits your budget.

–> To have in-site technical services:

• If you have an account with us, please send your request directly from your customer panel.
• Please click here to send your information and request directly to our customer hub, and let us know your preferred dates to schedule a visit.
• If you are in Greater Vancouver, BC, our technician will come to your address and resolve the problem.
• To have on-site technical services for your installed automatic driveway gate, if you have an account with Royal Gates, please send your request directly from your customer’s panel.
• If this is your first service request, and looking for our recommendations, please send some pictures from the gate operator, main control panel, and receivers or your remote control to us using WhatsApp at 778 384 2800 or by email to retcc.ca@gmail.com.
• You can click here to send your information and request directly to our customer hub, and let us know your preferred dates to schedule a visit.
• You will be contacted within one business day.

–>  To get an estimate for your required driveway gate, you can click on “Fast Estimate”.

• If you want to continue please submit the form, your request will directly come to our customer hub and we will make contact with you, within a maximum of one business day.
• To create a custom quote, need more information like design, dimensions, your address, name, and email.
• You can click here to send your information and request directly to our customer hub, and let us know your preferred dates to schedule a visit (If necessary).
• If you are in Greater Vancouver, BC, our technician will come to your address.
• Please send some pictures of the driveway, posts, and the electric sources to us using WhatsApp at 778 384 2800 or by email to retcc.ca@gmail.com.
• You can click here to send your information and request directly to our customer hub, and let us know your preferred dates to schedule a visit.
• You will be contacted within one business day.