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Professional Autogate Company
How many wires are needed for an autogate system?
Swing Auto Gate and Folding Auto Gate Wiring Advice:
From the house electrical distribution board (DB) to the outdoor autogate control box, 3 wire cores are required. Similarly, from the inside wall push button to the outdoor autogate control box, 3 wire cores are needed. Normally, we install 1 or more extra cores from both the DB and the push button.
Note: Please do not loop the wires to the doorbell or pillar lights. Both the pillar light and doorbell are separate systems and are not part of the autogate system.
Sliding Autogate Wiring Recommendations (For Built in Motor)
Sliding Autogate Wiring Recommendations (Non-Built-In Motor)
In some cases, homeowners prefer to separate the control panel from the motor. For instance, they may want to locate the control panel under the roof of the car porch and use a non-built-in autogate motor.
For this setup, additional wire cores are necessary. You will need 3 wire cores from the distribution board (DB) to the control panel, and 3 wire cores from the push button to the control panel. Additionally, 8 wire cores are required to connect the motor to the control panel.
Common Problems with Autogate Wiring
We’ve been to thousands of homes and often get calls to fix autogate problems. When we check things out, we usually find that the autogate issue is not with the autogate system itself—it’s actually the wiring that’s causing the trouble.
1. Some autogate repairers use Cat 5e wires, and others even use alarm wire for their autogate systems. Yeah, you might find someone who can do it cheaper. But in the long run, you’ll end up paying someone to fix it all over again. Cat 5e and alarm wire just won’t last!
2. Wire insulation may degrade, including excessive heat, chemicals, moisture ingress,
weather conditions. Some autogate guys use low-quality 1.5mm wires, and the insulation can oxidize really fast. The insulation can also degrade due to things like excessive heat, chemicals, moisture getting in, and tough weather conditions. So, that can lead to short circuits.
3. We’ve seen it happen a lot where autogate wires are shared with doorbells and pillar lights. And here’s the thing about the neutral wire: if it breaks somewhere in the circuit, it can get energized with half the line voltage. That’s definitely enough to give your autogate a nasty shock!
After reading all this, it’s clear that many autogate installers like to play tricks, and homeowners often don’t mind as long as the price is cheap. BUT we’re not for you if you’re someone who values “cutting corners” or choosing the cheapest option, regardless of the long-term risks and consequences. Please don’t call us.
Best Practices for Using Armored Cable in Autogate Systems
Professional Wiring Solutions For Autogate
