Why is my gate automation not working?

Help! My gate automation does not wor…

An automatically opened gate is a great comfort when there is a downpour, frost outside, or you are simply in a hurry. When there is a failure and you have to open the gate manually, it is definitely quite a frustrating situation. There are various reasons for failure. Sometimes they are the fault of the user, due to simple negligence, and other times the failure occurs as a result of incorrect assembly.

Certain problems become apparent immediately and their causes are prosaic. In the event of incorrect assembly, problems may not appear until some time later. It also happens that the equipment itself fails. There are also cases where the source of the problem is completely independent of the user or the hardware.

In this article, I will discuss the most common causes of gate automation problems and what can be done if the gate motor is not working.

How do I repair my gate motor?

In the article, I listed first of all the problems that can be resolved by yourself. The matter becomes more complicated when there is mechanical or electrical damage to the equipment. The first thing you should do then is contact your dealer or installer. Professional sellers certainly have an efficient service department that will accept equipment for warranty or post-warranty repair.

Attention! For motors with an ongoing warranty, self-repair may void the warranty.

It is worth mentioning that there are problems that apply equally to all types of gate motors. It should be remembered that these are electrical devices and they need electricity, therefore, lacking electricity, the machines will not work. However, when it comes to the actuators themselves, they undoubtedly differ depending on the type of motor. For example, in a swing gate, the rollers will not jam because it is an element of a sliding gate. ?

But let’s start with the reasons why the gate motor does not work when it does not depend on its type.

Causes of problems for all types of gate motors

Dirt or too sunny photocells

This problem occurs when closing the gate. Due to the snow accumulated on the photocells, the infrared beam cannot reach the receiver from the transmitter. For this reason, it is interpreted as an obstacle in the door’s light, which prevents the automation from moving. The solution is simple, all you need to do is remove accumulated snow or dirt. The problem may also occur in photocells that are mounted in full light, as strong sunlight causes the infrared wave to be disturbed.

Incorrectly adjusted photocells

The emitter or the receiver of the photocell could have been accidentally knocked over – displaced or mechanically displaced. Then they are no longer in one line – they cannot see each other, and this prevents the gate from closing. The solution is to adjust the photocells correctly.

Break or no contact on the wires

The problem can manifest itself in different ways depending on what cable is damaged or has a broken pin. If it is a power cable, the symptom will be that the board does not react to any actions (no LEDs or no display). If it is a different cable, e.g. leading to an actuator or a lamp, the symptom will be a disturbed operation of the system (one of the actuators is not working, the signal lamp is off). The solution to the problem will be checking the contacts of the wires. You have to check if they are not tarnished. It is also good to check that the cables are tightened securely and that they do not have any mechanical damage (abrasions, kinks).

No electricity in the network

It may happen that we come home, we want to start the automatic gate and it does not move. One of the reasons may be a simple lack of voltage in the network. Each machine has a diode which shows if there is power supply. It is worth checking if the house is also without voltage. It is then a good idea to “have a look” at the fuses and the power cord. A convenient solution in this case is the emergency power supply, which allows for several motor cycles without mains power. If we do not have such a solution, we can manually unblock the motor.

Remote control problem

A possible reason for the failure of the motor is a discharged battery in the remote control. In some machines there are LEDs that signal the reception of the signal from the remote control during its use. The solution is to replace the batteries in the remote control. Sometimes there are situations where the only solution is to replace the entire remote control, if the battery cannot be replaced, or it is damaged. Remember that damage to the remote control may be visible, for example, by a dog biting it. It can also be invisible to the naked eye, for example when we get it wet while going fishing. ;)

Mechanical damage or blockage of the gates

The gate may also have problems with smooth operation when it falls off the sliding roller, disconnects from the fixing, freezes, or the wing is damaged. In this case, make sure that the gate can open freely without automation. We check the hooks, contacts with the strip, etc. If you can see any damage to the gate, it will be necessary to repair it, and if something is blocking the free operation of the wing, the obstacle should be removed.

Failure of the limit switch or overload switch

Incorrect setting of the limit switches or overload switches causes the gate to stop not where we would like to. The solution is to adjust the overload parameters or the limit switch. It also often happens that the wire or the contact to the limit switch is damaged. Then the automatic unit recognizes the contact as permanently pressed in the case of NC contacts or not pressed at all in the case of NO contacts. This should be considered in the diagnosis. In case of damage, it will be necessary to replace the limit switch.

Electric motor failure

The engine is the heart of every machine. It may happen that the voltage reaches the automation and the control board and from there the motor, but the gate does not move. The problem here may be the heart of the motor. A common symptom of this condition is motor hum and increased current consumption. In this case, you would have to check its condition and the condition of the elements responsible for its operation, such as brushes, gears or magnets, and make the necessary repairs.

The motor of the sliding gate does not start

If you are the owner of a motor for a sliding gate and nothing from the above list solves the problem, take a look at the element responsible for the movement of the gate. The condition of the main gear of the machine and the mechanism responsible for its propulsion should be checked. Another thing may be a badly mounted rail. Too loose-fitting, and the teeth of the rack may jump over the cog, and with a strong fit, they can jam. The rail should be installed rigidly and well leveled, and with minimal loose-fitting in relation to the gear. Finally, check the condition of the rail itself. A damaged rail or a rail in which a stone is jammed may prevent the automation from working. Finally, an important note. Nylon rails should be installed on gates with a maximum weight of 300 kg, otherwise the rail may be damaged very quickly.

Swing gate motor – problem with operation

In the case of gates powered by an electric actuator, the actuator may be a problem. If we have excluded the motor, limit switches and overload parameters, it is worth checking the condition of the piston or screw. Sometimes it may turn out that someone has hit the gate leaf and thus damaged the actuator. Then the piston should be replaced, as straightening the element on your own will not help much. In the case of actuators with open access to the screw, check if any object has not entered the screw space and is not blocking the movement.

The garage door motor does not open the door

Of course, you should make sure in advance whether the gate itself can open freely without an automatic device. Often, springs and mechanical elements require re-adjustment, especially in roller shutter doors. It often happens that after installing the motor, the user forgets about the maintenance of the gate because he no longer has to bother with opening it.

If our motorized up-and-over door or sectional door has a problem with operation, check the condition of the motor chain and motor gear. Wear of these components renders the motor inoperable.

Summary

Summarizing: I have listed the most common ailments that may (but do not have to ?) happen to your gate automation. Remember that if your gate automation is not working, you can often easily fix the problem yourself. In the event of mechanical or electrical damage, it is worth contacting the seller first, rather than repairing yourself, as this may void the warranty. In the worst cases, you can damage your equipment even more. For this reason, we urge you to be careful and if you do not feel up to it, do not try to repair it yourself, even if the equipment is out of warranty.

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