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.

Why Gates Stop Working After a Power Cut

Power cuts and storms are among the most common reasons for a call-out. When the supply drops and comes back, some control boards need to relearn their travel, some go into a safe mode, and a surge can trip the gate's supply or damage components.

Often the gate is fine and just needs a moment to reset itself, or for a tripped breaker to be switched back on. The checks on this page cover what's safe for you to look at.

If your gate has battery backup, it may keep working through a short cut, but the batteries need to be in good condition.

Electric Gate Power Faults in Carlisle

If the power is back on but the gate is still dead, something may have been damaged. Lightning and surges can take out fuses, transformers and control boards, and water can find its way into junction boxes during heavy rain.

These faults need proper testing, and the electrics need to be put right to BS 7671. Please don't open the control box yourself.

We'll trace the fault, give you a price and get the gate working again. Where storms are a regular problem, we can advise on surge protection and battery backup.

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 or WhatsApp Adrian on 07854 037752.

Questions people ask me