There are many factors that together will combine to help you choose
the right operator for your gate or gates. Below are factors that you
should consider when making your choice.
- WIDTH OF THE GATE/S - Obvious we know but this is
the starting point. Although weight is a consideration the width of
a swing gate has a far greater bearing on choice than weight. At this
point we assume that you have a good set of hinges or you will be choosing
a good set of hinges (the right hinges is almost more critical than
the motor choice). So note down your gate/s width as your first point
of reference.
- GATE CONSTRUCTION AND WIND RESISTANCE - Your main
point to consider here is the style of gate/s. A gate with 25mm vertical
uprights at 150mm centre's as it's main centre infill will have a smaller
wind resistance than a gate with a totally enclosed centre infill of
say timber or colorbond. You need to consider your wind resistance taking
into account site conditions and size. EG: Wind resistance of a fully
enclosed gate of 3.5 metres width in a coastal environment would be
considered "high" whereas a well protected site and an open
design gate of the same size may be considered "low". Note
that even an open design gate of large dimensions (above 2.5metres in
width) in a windy environment will provide at least a "moderate"
resistance. Note down your wind resistance level - "low",
"moderate", or "high".
- NUMBER OF DAILY OPERATIONS OR "DUTY CYCLE"
- In general terms we consider even 50 operations a day to be a small
number assuming that the 50 operations were spread evenly over an eight
hour period. If however the gate/s performed 25 operations for half
an hour in the morning and the other 25 during a half hour period in
the afternoon then this would be considered medium to high duty cycle.
Some operators are designed to work all day long whilst others like
a more laid back lifestyle and prefer a home with lazy usage. In general
terms a "commercial" motor will be more suited to higher duty
cycles. So make a mental note of whether your duty cycle may be considered
low, medium or high.
- LOW VOLTAGE VERSUS HIGH VOLTAGE - Put simply you
can expect to pay more for a low voltage (12 or 24 volt) motor than
a comparable high voltage (240 volt) motor. You can also a low voltage
motor will run cooler and therefore have a higher duty cycle rating
than a 240 volt motor. Low voltage can also be equipped with battery
backup which is much more difficult with 240 volt systems. You can read
more about the pros and cons of low voltage versus high voltage in an
article written by one of our suppliers. Click
here for this article.
- PRICE - I wish we could tell you you can be guided
by price but it simply isn't so. Some of our lowest priced operators
have been our best performers time and time again. It is however fair
to say that price will be an indication of the quality of build of the
motor.
Ok! Armed with all this information you need to pop back up the page
to our chart and choose a few operators to compare. Start by choosing
an operator to match your gate width and function (residential, commercial
or industrial). Click on the chosen operator name to be taken to the page,
then check your resistance level and duty cycle. Happy hunting. |
