Gate Systems and how they work

Some slide gates and swing gates have an automatic gate opener .
The operators can be electric, dc, or solar powered.
Electric gate openers also will range in motor sizes from 1/2 HP up to 2 HP (HP= Horsepower) depending on the weight of the gate or gates. Gate systems can consist of a number of devices interacting with one another to create a great access control feature, some features may include:

• Key Pad
• Remotes (clickers)
• RFID   (Radio-frequency identification)
• Card Access
• Telephone entry units
• Bar Code Readers
• Vehicle Sensors
• Visitor management software

The possibilities are endless, for a gate system it just depends on your application.

Now lets talk about some of the features.

1. Key pads are generally one of the lowest security featured products, the code can be given to anyone and that will reduce the security of the property.
2. Remotes AKA clickers are good if they are programmable remotes, since they can only be held by one person and there is no code to give out, this makes them a little more secure.
3. RFID cards can have a range of 1 inch to 12 inches in most applications they are usually passive cards which means they so not use a battery.
   RFID tags like they use in many toll road applications can be read at a distance of 1 foot to 25 feet away depending on the device, this will be the easiest to use since there is no handling of the device it usually sticks on to your cars windshield and never needs to be moved.
4. Card access also falls in the same category as remotes   the code can not be given out and if someone looses or gets a card stolen they can easily be deleted from the database then issued another device.
5. Telephone entry units generally are used for guest entry to the property. A guest will locate the residents directory code and then press a key which in turn will initiate a phone call to the resident, upon receiving the phone call the resident can then press a number on the telephone which will send a signal to the unit which will open the gate and it will do all of this with out exposing any of the residents telephone or address information.
6. Bar Code Readers use a laser beam like a grocery store uses to scan a sticker that is stuck on a vehicle. Problems from car washing and waxing may damage the stickers but they will last a long time if taken care of properly.
   We can also use a bar-code printed on a guest pass for guest check in and out of properties (for use with a visitor management software like GateHouse ^® )
7. Vehicle Sensors are sensors are loops cut in the roadway, loops pre fabed and placed under the road way, or vehicle wands that will install   on the side of the road way, or electric eyes AKA photo beams.
   Vehicle Loops use a vehicle loop detector along with a loop of wire in the road way and are good for detecting vehicles only, since they only detect metal objects.
   Vehicle Wands have a limited distance of detection anywhere from 4 feet to 12 feet from where it is placed and are not as dependable as a vehicle loop with a vehicle loop detector
   Electric eyes AKA photo beams are ok at detecting pedestrians but I would not suggest them for vehicle safety, they also can collect morning dew and cause intermittent problems in the rain.
8. Visitor Management Software like GateHouse ^® are great for busy professional guard houses with guards, the software and applications can make the checking of guest and vendors a very fast reliable way to keep your community rolling smooth, organized and more secure
   

Always use a licensed & insured professional to install or service your gate operators and equipment.

if your electric gate openers are not installed properly there is always a chance of injury or death.
You can check our website for articles resulting from improper use, faulty safety features, or installation of gate operators or electric gates .

Written for TEM Systems, LLC © 2010