Automatic gates have brought undisputed comfort, since they have made it possible to open the accesses on which they are installed without getting out of the vehicle and without any effort.
This service is now considered almost irreplaceable and it is, in fact, difficult to think of being able to do without it if, for example, you are accustomed to its practicality and you find yourself in the presence of a gate with manual opening and are forced to get out of the car to open it, maybe on a cold rainy day. Not to mention the inevitable inconvenience of having to close the gate every time you pass through.
Sometimes, however, there is a tendency to assume that a more advanced mechanism, such as that represented by automatic systems compared to manual gates, is therefore safer. In this specific case, the opposite is perhaps more likely.
Whilst it is indeed true that the standard lock on manual gates is more frequently replaced with a security lock to guarantee greater protection, it is also true that in the presence of an automatic system the tendency is to avoid the purchase of a security lock, in the mistaken belief that, already by itself, the automatism can also guarantee adequate security, in addition to comfort and practicality.
It is also common to believe that the installation of a lock on your automatic gate can cancel the convenience it provides, as one generally thinks of locks operated by a key. Well, it’s not like that. It is in fact possible to install an electric lock which, connected to the automatic system of the gate, allows the bolt to be released and the gate to be opened simultaneously, using the gate remote control.
Listed below are the 3 main advantages resulting from the installation of an electric lock on automatic gates, whether they are double-leaf, single-leaf or sliding:
- THE LOCK EXTENDS THE LIFE OF THE MOTOR.
The motor of the automation system is often subjected to atmospheric agents such as wind, rain, snow and hail. The wind is a factor which often puts a significant strain on the strength of the arms of the automatic system, that tend to become misaligned. Vibrations, due to heavy vehicle traffic, in the case of a gate on a busy road, also cause a constant disturbance for the motor of the automatism. This is where the lock, by means of the bolt which allows the gate to be kept in axis and still, allows the external stresses to be absorbed and thereby preserves the life of the motor.
- THE LOCK OBSTRUCTS ATTEMPTS BY THIEVES TO OPEN BY DISCONNECTING THE MOTOR.
All the automatic systems, in compliance with the current regulations, have a quick release system which allows those who need to open the gate urgently, in the event of a power failure, to be able to do so manually. This release can be exploited by thieves to open automatic gates, even if they do not have the radio control unit.
If, on the other hand, the gate is fitted with an electric lock, this can be opened, in case of a power failure, with its own key, but if thieves were also able to manually unlock the automatic system this would not be enough to open the gate, as the lock would remain closed.
The majority of arms, connected to the motor of the automatic system, can be released with a simple triangular plastic key or a key with simple encryption. The electric lock, equipped with a strong bolt, obviously provides an extra protection.
- ECONOMIC VALUE: AUTOMATIC SYSTEM vs LOCK.
As already pointed out in some of our previous blogs, it can be worthwhile investing a little more in security to prevent an asset with a greater value from being damaged. For the reasons described above, the purchase of a lock could help to safeguard the much more expensive automatic gate, providing it with a longer life in a good condition and protecting it from possible attacks by criminals.
For more details on the electric lock best suited to your type of gate, please refer to our previous blog.
It’s interesting when you said that automatic gates provide greater appearance and security. My cousin told me that they are planning to have automatic gates in their home to be a safer and more secure home, and he asked if I have any idea what is the best option to consider. Thanks to this helpful article, I’ll be sure to tell him that it will be much better if he consults a trusted automatic gates service as they can answer all his inquiries.
It’s helpful to learn that investing in a quality lock helps us protect our automatic gate from potential criminal attacks. Someone tried to break into my aunt’s house and take her art pieces, but luckily, a neighbor called the police just in time. She wants to install automatic gates to prevent any other attacks from happening again next week, so I’ll make sure she gets your lock tips first.