Bk Security Services

Safety Features for Electric Gates You Can’t Afford to Ignore

Even though your electric gates looks nice from the outside, what if something goes wrong with it? Most people are drawn to the convenience – just pressing a button and seeing their gate open is very satisfying. The most important part is what is hidden from view. 

These features are essential and not just nice additions. They help make your daily life run smoothly instead of facing unexpected issues. Consider that these gates are quite heavy and move with a lot of force. When safety measures are ignored, they may actually cause harm to your property instead of being useful. 

Photocell Protection Devices 

The cameras on the sides of your gate opening are more important than you may think. As soon as something interrupts the beam created by photocells, the gate stops moving. When I see children playing, pets crossing the area, or leaves being blown on the path, it starts. 

The smart thing is? Today’s photocells are designed to work in pairs, which allows them to cover several detection areas. Some places have three or four sets placed at different heights. It picks up everything from a little dog to a large delivery van. If you don’t have them, your gate can keep moving and become a dangerous hazard. 

Pressure Sensors That are Reliable 

This is where the story becomes more exciting. The edges are not just rubber strips attached with screws to the gate. The best ones have sensors that are able to sense when someone touches them lightly. When you touch the edge, the gate immediately changes its direction. 

How the art is installed is extremely important. There are cheap systems that have sensors only on the front of the gate. A lot of better setups have them on each side and also on the top rail. The gate installer ought to show you where the sensors are located and test them for you. 

Force Adjustment 

Adjustable force settings are available on all electric gates, but most homeowners don’t use them after the gate is installed. It decides how much strength the gate must have before it is able to stop or change direction. If the gate is set too high, it might push through tiny obstacles on the ground. If the wind speed is set too low, it may cause unintended stops. 

The settings are adjusted by professionals according to how much your gate weighs, the amount of wind it faces, and the area’s conditions. Their advice should include tips for changing the settings depending on the season – winter storms call for different settings than summer breeze. 

The manual override feature is connected to the force settings. When there is a power outage or the motor stops working, you must open the gate by hand. With a clearly labeled release mechanism, good systems make it easy to use. Such games make you struggle with gates that are difficult to open and without any clear directions. 

Smart obstacle detection 

Electric gates now include more advanced technology compared to just contact sensors. Advanced units always keep an eye on the motor current, the speed of opening the gate, and the way the gate moves. They get to know how your gate usually works and spot any issues that could be dangerous. 

It is able to detect problems that other sensors do not notice. If the gate slows down at some point during its cycle, the system realises there is a problem. It’s possible that ice has appeared on the hinges, or that some debris has built up in the track. In any case, the gate comes to a stop instead of pushing through. 

Features that include a timer and auto-close. 

It’s easy to understand how auto-close timers work – just pick a delay and the gate will close on its own. The concern about safety is that the gate should not stay open without being closed. A gate that stays open all the time does not keep children or pets safe and can cause many risks. 

The timer can usually be set from ten seconds all the way to several minutes. Your choice of setting will rely on how far your driveway is and how quickly cars usually pass through the gate. If the book is too short, you have to hurry to finish it. If you keep it for too long, you no longer have the benefits of security. 

There are units that have pedestrian detection, which causes the timer to continue after someone walks through the gate. This way, the gate won’t close on people who are moving at a slower pace than usual. 

Emergency Stop Devices 

Electric gates installations ought to have emergency stop controls that are easy to find. For instance, these can be wireless remotes placed in several places, panic buttons installed on walls, or apps on your phone that cancel all other commands. 

The main idea is that the information should be easy to reach. An emergency stop button at home will not assist you if the problem occurs at the gate. Stop buttons should be placed in a weatherproof spot so that visitors and delivery drivers can use them easily. 

Even when the power goes out, battery backup systems ensure that safety features are still working. Even if your gate doesn’t work properly, the sensors and emergency stops are still in place. This makes sure the gate does not fall or move suddenly, as it could become a danger. 

Frequent Testing Helps a Lot 

Safety systems can only keep you safe if they are well maintained. Only a short monthly check can help avoid major accidents. Walk through the gate beam while checking each photocell to see if the gate works properly. During the gate’s movement, press lightly on the pressure sensors to see if they work. 

Make a straightforward record of your tests. Check if some sensors react slowly or do not trigger at all. Make a note of any strange sounds, movements, or changes in how fast the gate opens or closes. A maintenance contractor will use this information to identify issues early on to avoid failures. 

Most cars are serviced yearly, but don’t hesitate to have it checked if you think there is a safety concern. A gate that continues to operate even when it should not is dangerous immediately and becomes more so with time.