AC versus DC
Short History -
Before we answer the question a few notes to make things easier to follow. The AC we refer to in this section is generally speaking mains power 240 volts single phase with a few three phase motors used in industrial installations. When we refer to DC we are typically talking 12 volts and 24 volt ELV (Extra Low Voltage) gate operators. In the late 1960s, the first motorised automatic gate was introduced. These gates were operated using AC electric motors.
Although DC gate operators were first made by Italian companies like TAU by the early 1980s AC gate operators dominated the industry for a good forty years up until the turn of the century. The cost of DC motors and control boards were more expensive but by the turn of the century (after almost 40 years) the DC story was getting less expensive and the many advantages were becoming easier to sell helped along by the increased take up of solar technology.
From 2000 and up until now DC motors have become the dominant operator in both swing, sliding and barrier markets. Today it is more common to buy a DC operator and whilst AC motors are still available they tend to dominate the industrial gate market.
What makes DC gate operators a better choice -
DC Gate operators have many advantages over AC in particular in the physically smaller gate market of both residential and commercial. Industrial gates over two ton still tend to demand the torque of AC motors with inverters and three phase motors common in these installations. DC advantages include -
1. The first and obvious thing most people would notice is how much more control you have with DC motors. DC is much smoother with nice linear ramp up and slow down speeds and the ability to control the speeds and distance is endless.
2. The second obvious advantage is the ability to have battery backup. Mains power can be fickle and will let you down at the most inconvenient times (midnight & raining). With battery backup you operate you gate as usual.
3. Solar power is another big advantage with more and more control boards being made to accommodate and run smoothly on solar. 12 volt has obvious advantages over 24 volt with solar.
4. Duty cycle! DC motors will open and close all day without getting hot and bothered. AC motors on he other hand heat up very quickly. Most DC motors are typically rated at 50% to 100% duty cycle whereas an AC motor may be as little as 10% to 20%.
Conclusion - Unless you have an extremely heavy industrial gate and/or you have a raked gate on a slope there is probably no good reason to go AC other than sometimes there is a saving to be had. But it is on a hill or with a very heavy gate that the AC motors might be a good choice. Otherwise it is DC all the way.
Before we answer the question a few notes to make things easier to follow. The AC we refer to in this section is generally speaking mains power 240 volts single phase with a few three phase motors used in industrial installations. When we refer to DC we are typically talking 12 volts and 24 volt ELV (Extra Low Voltage) gate operators. In the late 1960s, the first motorised automatic gate was introduced. These gates were operated using AC electric motors.
Although DC gate operators were first made by Italian companies like TAU by the early 1980s AC gate operators dominated the industry for a good forty years up until the turn of the century. The cost of DC motors and control boards were more expensive but by the turn of the century (after almost 40 years) the DC story was getting less expensive and the many advantages were becoming easier to sell helped along by the increased take up of solar technology.
From 2000 and up until now DC motors have become the dominant operator in both swing, sliding and barrier markets. Today it is more common to buy a DC operator and whilst AC motors are still available they tend to dominate the industrial gate market.
What makes DC gate operators a better choice -
DC Gate operators have many advantages over AC in particular in the physically smaller gate market of both residential and commercial. Industrial gates over two ton still tend to demand the torque of AC motors with inverters and three phase motors common in these installations. DC advantages include -
1. The first and obvious thing most people would notice is how much more control you have with DC motors. DC is much smoother with nice linear ramp up and slow down speeds and the ability to control the speeds and distance is endless.
2. The second obvious advantage is the ability to have battery backup. Mains power can be fickle and will let you down at the most inconvenient times (midnight & raining). With battery backup you operate you gate as usual.
3. Solar power is another big advantage with more and more control boards being made to accommodate and run smoothly on solar. 12 volt has obvious advantages over 24 volt with solar.
4. Duty cycle! DC motors will open and close all day without getting hot and bothered. AC motors on he other hand heat up very quickly. Most DC motors are typically rated at 50% to 100% duty cycle whereas an AC motor may be as little as 10% to 20%.
Conclusion - Unless you have an extremely heavy industrial gate and/or you have a raked gate on a slope there is probably no good reason to go AC other than sometimes there is a saving to be had. But it is on a hill or with a very heavy gate that the AC motors might be a good choice. Otherwise it is DC all the way.