Opening an Automatic Gate During a Power Cut

Power cuts in Riyadh are usually short, but they always seem to happen when you need to get the car out. Every properly installed automatic gate and garage door can be opened by hand. The key is knowing where the release is before you need it — and using it safely.

Before you touch anything

Make sure the gate isn't moving and won't start moving. If the power comes back while you're releasing the motor, some gates will try to complete their last command.
Keep children and pets away from the gate, hinges and motor.
Check for slopes and wind. A released gate on a slope can roll on its own, and a large swing gate can be caught by the wind. Hold it firmly.
Find the release key. Most motors use a small special key, usually supplied on the remote control key-ring or kept inside. If you don't know where yours is, now's a good time to find out (and keep a spare somewhere you can reach from outside).

Sliding gates

Sliding gate motors sit on a base at one end of the gate, with a toothed rack along the gate's bottom edge.

Find the release on the motor housing — usually a small key-operated cover on the top or side, with a lever or knob underneath.
Insert the key and turn it, then pull the lever or turn the knob as far as it goes. This disengages the gearbox so the drive pinion turns freely.
Push the gate open slowly by hand. It should move with moderate effort. If it won't move at all, stop — the gate may be locked by an electric lock, or the release isn't fully open.

Swing gates

Swing gates use either arm motors mounted on the gate and post, or underground motors buried under each gate leaf.

Arm (ram) motors: the release is usually a key-operated cap or lever on the motor body near the gate post. Release each motor — double gates have two.
Underground motors: look for a key lock or a lever near the bottom of the gate at the hinge side, often under a small cover. Some need a special triangular or hex key.

Once released, open each leaf slowly and secure it so it can't swing back.

Car-park barriers

Most barriers have a key-operated door or lock on the cabinet. Releasing it lets you lift the arm by hand; it's usually spring-balanced, so it should feel fairly light. Hold it — don't let it drop.

Garage doors

A garage door opener is released with the red emergency cord hanging from the trolley on the rail.

Only pull the release with the door closed if possible. If a spring is broken, a door released in the open position can fall fast.
After pulling the cord, lift the door from the bottom section using the handle. A balanced door lifts smoothly and stays in place. If it's very heavy, don't continue — the spring may be broken (see garage door springs explained).

What not to do

Don't force a gate that hasn't been released. You'll strip the gears or damage the rack.
Don't open the motor cover with tools or touch the wiring. The control board may still be live from a back-up battery.
Don't leave the gate released longer than needed if security matters — it can be pushed open by anyone.

When the power comes back

Close the gate by hand to roughly its normal closed position.
Re-engage the motor: turn the release lever or knob back, then remove the key.
Move the gate slightly by hand until you feel the gear catch.
Run a full open-and-close cycle with the remote and watch it closely. Some motors run slowly for the first cycle while they re-learn their limits — that's normal.

If the gate doesn't move, moves the wrong way or stops part-way, call us; some control boards need their limits reset after a power loss.

Make the next power cut a non-event

Battery back-up. Many gate and garage door motors can take a back-up battery that keeps them working for a number of cycles during a cut. Batteries in hot motor housings should be checked yearly.
Know your release. Ask your technician to show you the release on your next service visit.
Electric locks. If your gate has an electric lock, check whether it stays locked or releases when power is lost, and make sure there's a key override.

Our gate service includes checking the manual release and back-up battery on every visit.