Have you ever wondered how a swing gate opener is installed? Get a step-by-step illustration of what happens when a swing gate opener (operator) is replaced. The example below was performed by the Performance Systems Integration team in a gated community in the Bay Area.
Step 1: Removing the Old Equipment
Removing the old equipment properly is the first step in a great installation, because if this part isn’t done right the first time, no matter what name is on the machinery the next steps will be off. This can be a serious issue because access control requires strict adherence to tolerances to work correctly. When the tolerances aren’t obeyed, the result can not only look sloppy but create potentially dangerous situations in case of emergencies.
Step 2: Installing the Operator
The next step is to install the swing gate operator. This component is the heart of the automatic gate assembly, allowing the system to function properly. Because of this, it needs to be beefy enough to withstand the demands of authorized in-and-out traffic while also being formidable enough to withstand attempts at tampering. Here we see two of our crew preparing to install a Viking T-21 Swing Operator.
Step 3: The Wiring
Step three may be the most crucial part. When the old machinery was removed, the wiring that remained had to be carefully checked for wear, damage, and shorts and then attached to the new wiring harness precisely. If the wiring is faulty, active barriers like this gate can either become open doors that cannot be closed or solid walls that cannot be opened. From either the safety, security, or convenience standpoint, this is not an ideal situation, making careful and accurate wiring a key part of the installation process.
Step 4: Adjusting Swim Arm Geometry to Exact Measurements
This is where tolerances become extremely exacting—determining how wide the gate can open, at what height the gate must be held to not damage the pavement beneath, and at what points the swing arm must be connected to the gate to ensure it functions properly. When the geometry is set correctly, the result is a smoothly functioning access system that reduces wear and tear on the moving parts of the system and grants them a longer lifespan with more reliability and efficiency.
Step 5: Welding Support Struts to Swing Arm
When welding the support struts and braces to the gate itself, any errors in the previous steps will make themselves known very quickly—the gate either will not sit in the proper attitude or the swing arm will not operate as smoothly as it should.
While this is possibly the most “forgiving” aspect of the installation if the welds are not made properly or at the wrong places, the geometry of the gate and swing arm assembly can be thrown off, causing issues such as the ones described earlier.
Step 6: Setting Up & Adjusting the Safety Systems
The step includes setting up and adjusting the safety systems that prevent injury and damage to vehicles, people, and pets.
Optical sensors play a key role in the safety systems, detecting obstructions to the assembly and serving as a trigger for the other safety redundancies that are built into the system.
Step 7: Programing New Gate Operator & Testing New Unit
In the final step, the gate is programmed with the access methodology and safety protocols and the proper function of the assembly is tested and verified.
When everything is done correctly, the system operates precisely as intended, in a manner that blends safety, security and aesthetic value into one seamless, fluidly functioning installation.
PSI Can Help
At Performance Systems Integration, we are proud of our reputation as one of Sacramento and the Bay Area’s premier providers of safety and access control services and installations for facilities, businesses, and communities. In addition to gates and doors, the team at PSI is available now to test, service, or install all fire suppression and safety equipment. Contact us today to schedule a free site survey, and learn how affordable it can be to upgrade your existing systems or build a custom solution for your needs.
