Electric Gate Not Working After a Power Cut

Power cuts, storms and tripping switches are behind a lot of gate breakdowns. Sometimes the gate just needs a minute to sort itself out; sometimes the power cut has damaged something. Here's how to tell.

Right after a power cut

When the power comes back, many gates need a moment to restart. The first time you open the gate:

• it may move slowly, or go further than normal, while it finds its open and closed positions
• stand well clear and watch it through a full open and close

If it then works normally, you're done.

If it still won't work

1. Check the isolator switch near the gate or house is on.
2. Check the fuse board for anything that's tripped. Reset it once.
3. If it trips again, leave it off. Something's faulty – often water in a cable or the control box, or a damaged component. Call me.
4. Try a power reset. Switch the gate off at the isolator, wait a minute, and switch it back on. See how to reset your electric gate.

Signs of storm or surge damage

• nothing at all happens, even though the power is on
• the warning light or photocells have no lights on
• a burning smell from the control box (switch off at the isolator and don't use the gate)
• the gate behaves strangely – opening on its own or stopping in odd places

Lightning strikes and power surges can damage control boards and receivers. A surge protector can help prevent it happening again.

Tripping in wet weather

If the gate's electrics trip whenever it rains, water is getting in somewhere – a cable joint, a damaged cable, a flooded underground motor, or the control box seal. This needs finding and fixing properly. Don't keep resetting it.

Keeping the gate working through power cuts

Battery backup keeps most gates working through a power cut. If you're in a rural area or get regular outages, it's well worth it. See gate automation accessories.

Until it's fixed, use the manual release to open the gate by hand.

Call, text or WhatsApp Adrian on 07855 781433.

Questions people ask me