Gate Safety Sensor Repairs and Servicing in Sydney

Why safety devices matter

A gate that does not stop or reverse when it meets an obstruction can cause serious injury, particularly to children and pets. Automatic gate drives in Australia are covered by the safety standard AS/NZS 60335.2.103, which deals with the hazards from the movement of the gate. Most modern controllers use two layers of protection:

• Obstruction sensing in the motor and board, which detects extra resistance and stops or reverses the gate
• Photo-electric safety beams (sometimes called photocells or IR beams) across the opening, which stop the gate closing on a car or person in its path

Some installations also use safety edges on the leading edge of the gate, and warning lights. These devices only help if they work, and they can drift out of adjustment or be switched off without anyone noticing.

Common safety beam faults

Safety beams are a frequent cause of a gate that refuses to close or reverses part way. Typical causes:

• Spider webs, dust or leaves over the lens
• A beam knocked out of line by a bin, car or garden work
• Low afternoon sun shining straight into the receiver
• A plant that has grown across the beam
• Water in the housing or corroded terminals
• A damaged cable from the beam to the board

Cleaning and realigning beams often fixes the problem. What should never happen is bridging out the beams on the board to make the gate work. That removes a safety function entirely. If the beams have failed, they should be repaired or replaced.

What a gate service usually includes

A thorough service covers the gate, the motor and the safety devices. Expect a technician to:

• Disengage the motor and check the gate moves freely by hand
• Clean the track and inspect rollers, guides and rack on sliding gates
• Inspect hinges, posts and arm pivots on swing gates
• Check gear mesh, motor fixings and the condition of the gearbox where accessible
• Test the battery under load and check the charger or solar panel
• Inspect the control board for corrosion, insects and moisture
• Clean, align and test the safety beams
• Test obstruction sensing and force settings and adjust if needed
• Check limits, so the gate stops in the right place each end
• Test remotes, keypads and any intercom or lock

The full list, and what you can check yourself between visits, is in our annual gate servicing checklist.

Insects and moisture

Ants and other insects love the warmth of a gate control box. Nests across board terminals can cause shorts and strange behaviour. Moisture from a cracked lid or failed seal does similar damage. A service includes checking the housing, clearing any nests and resealing where needed.

How often?

For a typical household gate, many technicians suggest a service roughly once a year. Busier gates, such as shared driveways and strata car parks, generally need more frequent attention, and the motor maker's manual is the best guide. Coastal properties may need more frequent cleaning of exposed hardware.

Book a service

Tell us what type of gate you have and whether anything is already playing up. We will pass the job to an independent local technician who will contact you to arrange a time and price.