3 Possible reasons your electric gate isn’t working
Whether you have steel gates, security gates, wooden gates or cantilever gates, if they’re automated, aka ‘electric’ gates, there is always the possibility something could go wrong, and they stop working.
In this short blog post, we look at 3 broken electric gate scenarios and the possible reasons for the issues. We hope this advice helps, but we’d still strongly recommend calling a professional gate engineer in the event of a breakdown.
A word of warning before we start…This article is intended as a brief guide for anyone having issues with their electric gate, but we can’t stress this enough – if you’re not a qualified electrician, DO NOT attempt to fix the electrical components of your electric gate.
Your electric gate won’t work in cold weather
Although not a hugely common issue in most parts of the UK, excessively cold temperatures can sometimes cause electric gates to work slower, to stop opening or to remain closed.
The issue is usually caused by the metal components of the gate contracting as they get colder, or grease in the bearings and other moving parts thickening up as the temperature drops to below 0° and colder. One way to resolve the issue is by using temperature-resistant grease or speaking to a professional gate installer and repairer about insulation for certain components, including the gate's battery.
Your electric gate isn’t moving or making any sound
If your electric gate has stopped working and isn’t even making any electrical or mechanical sounds when you attempt to operate it, it’s probably not receiving any power from the power source.
If this is the scenario you’re facing with your electric gate, there are a couple of simple checks you could make that won’t require the help of a qualified electrician or electric gate engineer. These include:
Checking the remote control – Are the batteries dead?
Checking it’s plugged in – Sounds simple, but it’s always best to check before calling in a professional.
If after these simple checks, the gate is still receiving power from the main power source, definitely call in a professional gate engineer or qualified electrician, and under no circumstances dismantle any electrical components.
Your sliding electric gate won’t slide smoothly
If when you operate your sliding gate it seems to judder along its runners, or simply won’t retract fully, there could be several reasons, which include:
A physical obstruction – This could be something as simple as a tree branch or a rubbish bag blocking the gate's path, so check for obvious obstructions first.
A physical obstruction could also mean a stone in the gates tracks. To clear the tracks, first, isolate the power, then use a stiff brush to remove the blockage.
Damaged tracks – From time to time, the tracks of your sliding electric gate can suffer damage, whether accidental or due to deterioration. If the tracks are damaged, resolving the issue will require a qualified gate engineer, but it’s worth a quick visual inspection before making the call.
Bearing damage – Bearing damage or bearing deterioration could be another reason your electric sliding gate isn’t sliding the way it should. Resolving this issue will again require the assistance of an electric gate engineer, who may replace the bearings, unit, or renew the grease etc.
Looking for a gate repair specialist?
If you need help repairing or maintaining your electric gates, contact Gate Control, one of Bedfordshire’s and the UK's leading installers, manufacturers and repairers of all types of manual and electric gates.