Gate Automation Guide

Gate automation is a system, not a motor. This guide explains each part of the system and the decisions behind it, so that the quotation you receive makes sense.

The parts of an automatic gate system

1. The operator (motor)

Sized to the gate: weight for sliding gates, weight and leaf length per leaf for swing gates. Rollvento supplies sliding gate motors from 500 to 2000 kg and swing gate motors from 200 to 600 kg per leaf.

2. The control board

Runs the motor and everything connected to it: soft start/stop, obstacle sensitivity, auto-close timer, pedestrian (partial) opening, leaf delay on double gates, and inputs for photocells, remotes and access control. On 24 V DC systems the board also manages battery charging.

3. Travel limits

Tell the motor where to stop: mechanical (spring lever), magnetic (magnets on the rack) or electronic (encoder). Magnetic and electronic limits are more reliable in dust and rain.

4. Safety devices

• Photocells — an infrared beam across the opening; the gate reverses if it breaks. See safety sensors.
• Safety edge / airbag — a pressure-sensitive strip on the leading edge for gates near pedestrians.
• Warning lamp — flashes while the gate moves.
• Obstacle detection — built into the board; reverses on unexpected load.

5. Command devices

Remotes (rolling code), wall push buttons, keypads, GSM call-to-open, Wi-Fi/app modules, and dry-contact inputs from RFID or intercom systems. See remotes and smart connectivity.

6. Power

Mains 220 V AC to the board; 24 V DC systems can add a battery backup for power cuts; remote sites can run on a solar kit with a battery box.

7. Manual release

Every operator has a key-operated release that disengages the drive so the gate can be moved by hand.

Questions to answer before buying

1. Gate type and condition — sliding or swing; does it move freely by hand?
2. Weight and size — weighed or calculated from construction.
3. Power at the gate — single-phase, three-phase, or none (solar).
4. Traffic — how many cycles per day, and whether vehicles queue.
5. Users — how many remotes, keypad codes, phone numbers or app users.
6. Safety — are there pedestrians, children, pets near the gate?
7. Integration — intercom, RFID, security system, parking management.

The order of work on site

1. Gate made good: square, free-moving, with track/rollers or hinges serviced.
2. Concrete plinth (sliding) or pillar brackets (swing) prepared; conduits laid.
3. Operator, rack or arms fitted and aligned.
4. Board wired, limits set, travel learned.
5. Photocells, lamp and command devices added and programmed.
6. Handover: manual release demonstrated, remotes issued, maintenance explained.

Where to go next

• Sliding gate motor buying guide
• Swing vs sliding gate comparison
• Gate automation safety guide
• Request a quotation

Frequently asked questions