Troubleshooting Automated Gate Problems

Automated gates make our lives easier, allowing us to enter and exit our properties without having to fiddle with locks or having to pull the heavy gates themselves. However, like all automated systems, gates can be susceptible to faults, which is why it is important that you know how to solve these issues.

Gate not opening

If your gate isn’t opening when you use your remote or keypad, then there are a number of reasons that this could be happening.

Firstly, check the power supply to your gates is switched on and working. If you have items like keypads or intercoms, check that they are lit up. If they are lit up, test them out by pressing each one in the way you normally would to release the gate, eliminating potential causes one by one.

If the above checks aren’t indicating a fault, then it could be an issue with the transmitter. If the battery is flat, the transmitter won’t work, so check for the lights on the transmitter that indicate it is working.

Gate won’t close

If the gate is stuck open, then the first way to check what the issue might be is to pass through the sensors that would normally trigger the gate. If that doesn’t work, try waving your hand in front of one of the photocells, and you may hear a clicking noise in the background. An absence of this clicking sound means that the safety beam is not working properly.

This can happen for a reason as simple as insects and debris blocking the beam, so try and remove any of these blockages before trying again. If these blockages are not present but the beam is still not working, you will need to contact a professional.

While the two above problems may require some specific troubleshooting methods, there are some general checks you can carry out to help identify the cause of the issue. For example, it could be a motor issue. If either or both of the motors have failed, then you will need to contact a specialist as it is a problem with the electrical components within the system.

A way to help prevent such faults from taking you by surprise is to arrange for your gate to undergo regular inspections and servicing from a licensed, qualified professional. By doing this, they can anticipate any potential issues and provide solutions for them before they cause a breakdown of your gates.

Here at Strand Systems, we are one of the country’s leading providers of entrance solutions, maintenance and repairs. If you would like to know more about what we do and how we can help you, then please get in touch with us today and we will be more than happy to help you with anything you need.