Get to Know the Gate Sensors

Safety should be your prime concern. Many homeowners turn their backs to the UL 325 guidelines for enhanced safety but they will be held responsible if their steel gate causes an accident. Don't forget that the smallest problem with this heavy system can lead to injuries. Your kid's foot might be trapped among the rails or someone's jacket might be entrapped. When the system fails to work properly, the sensors can protect you. Residential gate openers ought to have inherited entrapment sensing devices. Although there are slight differences among different gate types, they must all follow the same requirements (more or less).

Sensing devices ought to activate the opener when there's something or someone in the way of the gate. Movement should not only be stopped but also reversed upon contact and without coming in contact with the person or object. This is important whether the gate is opening or closing and must work even if the power is out and it moves automatically with the backup battery.

The main UL 325 regulations

When it comes to home electric wrought iron gates, the operator must have primary and secondary sensing devices. So, let's get acquainted with the main sensing systems.

1. The inherent entrapment system must be an integrated part of the opener and must reverse movement in two seconds after sensing an entrapment.
2. Photo electric or reflective sensors must be present for non-contact reversing of the panel.
3. An edge device is needed in order to open the gate when it comes in contact with an object or a person.
4. Inherent clutch or pressure relief device. Either of them will actually stop the movement of the gate.
5. Control button. Its constant pressure will release the safety sensor system and will allow you to open or close the gate.

• Residential vertical lift, vertical pivot and solid sliding gates will need number 1 entrapment systems as the required primary ones and 2, 3 and 5 as secondary ones.
• Residential swing gate operators must have numbers 1 and 4 as the primary sensing devices and numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 as secondary ones.

These are the main sensing sensors required for home gates but that doesn't mean they are the only safety accessories. They are simply the required ones and you must make sure your openers comply with these regulations.