Power & Electrical Infrastructure

Gate operators require dedicated electrical circuits. Most residential operators run on 120V single-phase power; commercial and industrial operators may require 240V single-phase or 208/240V three-phase depending on motor size. Circuit sizing must account for motor starting current, which exceeds running current significantly.

Access control systems, safety devices, and loop detectors typically operate on low voltage (12-24V DC or AC) supplied by transformers at the gate location. However, these transformers need 120V power, adding to the load at the gate.

Total load calculation includes: operator motor (starting and running), control board, transformer for low-voltage devices, lighting if installed, and any heated components for cold weather operation. The circuit must handle peak load with margin,undersized circuits trip breakers and cause operational problems.

We calculate load requirements for each installation and specify appropriate circuit sizing. Running additional capacity during initial installation costs little; upgrading later requires new wire pulls or conduit.

Underground conduit requires trenching,excavating a path from the power source to the gate. This can be simple in open ground or complex when crossing landscaping, driveways, utilities, or other obstacles.

Before trenching, underground utilities must be located. Striking a gas line, electrical feed, or fiber optic cable during trenching creates serious problems. We call for utility locates before any excavation and hand-dig in areas where utilities are marked or suspected.

Trench depth must meet code requirements for the conduit type,typically 18 inches for Schedule 40 PVC, though local requirements vary. Deeper burial may be required under driveways or in areas subject to disturbance.

For installations where trenching is impractical,crossing existing concrete, avoiding mature landscaping, or working in developed areas,alternatives include directional boring (drilling horizontally underground) or surface-mounted conduit where acceptable. These alternatives cost more but avoid surface disruption.

While operators run on line voltage, many gate components operate on low voltage: access control readers, safety devices, loop detectors, intercoms, and control interfaces. Transformers convert line voltage to the required low voltage,typically 12V, 16V, or 24V AC or DC.

Low-voltage wiring has different requirements than line voltage. Wire gauge can be smaller for the same amperage, but voltage drop becomes more significant at low voltages. A 2-volt drop that is negligible on a 120V circuit may cause problems on a 12V circuit.

Proper low-voltage installation includes appropriate wire gauge for distance, protection from physical damage, separation from high-voltage wiring, and proper terminations. Loose connections and corroded terminals cause more low-voltage problems than wire failures.

For complex installations, we may specify structured wiring,home runs from each device to a central location rather than daisy-chained connections. This simplifies troubleshooting and allows individual device isolation.

For gates without access to grid power,rural properties, remote facilities, long distances from buildings,solar power provides an alternative. Solar systems combine photovoltaic panels, charge controllers, battery storage, and low-power operators.

Solar system sizing must account for worst-case conditions: winter days with minimal sun, periods of cloudy weather, and battery degradation over time. Systems sized for average conditions fail when conditions are below average.

Solar works best for low-cycle applications. Each gate cycle consumes battery capacity; the panels must generate enough power between cycles to replace what was used plus maintain full charge. High-cycle applications may exceed what solar can reliably provide.

Battery maintenance is critical for solar systems. Batteries degrade over time; inadequate charging accelerates degradation. Quality systems include battery monitoring and may include remote alerts for low battery conditions. Budget systems cut corners on batteries and fail unpredictably.

Electrical problems cause a significant portion of gate malfunctions. Symptoms include intermittent operation, slow cycling, failure to operate, control board errors, and damaged components.