Most consumers can relate to the convenience of
an electric garage door opener. A gate operator
can provide the same type of convenience and added
security. Keep in mind that a system that is exposed
to weather conditions is much more expensive to
build, install and maintain than one which operates
from inside your garage. But for many, the convenience
makes the investment well worth it. Combine
gate operators with one or more control devices
and you create an access control system. Basically,
this is an electric or hydraulic motor that opens
and closes your gate. It's activated by a signal
generated from a device, such as a telephone entry
system or a radio control similar to that used
by garage door openers.
There are primarily three
types of access control systems:
Access control systems
can be designed with many options. A simple telephone
entry system can tie directly to your existing
telephone line. This lets visitors ring the telephones
in your house by pressing a call button on the
unit at the gate. The person inside the house
can then answer the phone and open the gate by
pressing the proper number on the telephone keypad.
A wide variety of accessories
can be used with an access control system. There
is everything from simple push-button operation
to a sophisticated telephone entry system. Investigate
the options available on the systems you're considering
to be certain you get the one that's best suited
to your needs.
Early in the year 2000,
a new set of UL (Underwriters Laboratories) regulations
were passed that govern how gate operator systems
should function under certain conditions. These
new standards are an attempt to prevent accidental
injuries caused by mechanically operated gates.
These regulations became effective in March of
2000, and it's strongly suggested that you only
use gate operator systems that have passed the
UL testing and carry the "UL Approved"
sticker or the approval sticker of an independent
government approved, testing laboratory.
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