{"id":13906,"date":"2026-09-24T09:30:01","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T07:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/?p=13906"},"modified":"2026-09-25T08:06:53","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T06:06:53","slug":"how-to-choose-the-right-automation-for-a-sliding-gate-came","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/news\/blog\/how-to-choose-the-right-automation-for-a-sliding-gate-came\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose the automation\u00a0for a sliding gate: a complete guide for installers\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Automation is at the heart of every sliding gate<\/strong>, but no single motor suits every situation. Gate leaf weight, duty cycles, available power supply, on-site environmental conditions: these are the factors that determine which gearmotor to choose, and underestimating them can prove costly: from motor overload and premature failure to non-compliance with regulations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To make the right choice, start by assessing these elements and the product&#8217;s technical specifications, before considering brand or price.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide covers which parameters really matter <strong>when choosing a sliding gate automation<\/strong>, which technologies are available on the market,&nbsp;to arrive at the most suitable solution for every situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key technical parameters for choosing a sliding gate motor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sizing a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/products\/sliding-gates-automation\/\">sliding gate automation<\/a> starts with three elements:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol>\n<li>gate leaf weight and length\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>required duty cycles&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>type of power supply available on site\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>These are what determine the most suitable product class \u2013 not aesthetic preferences or budget.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Sliding gate weight and length&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Start with the<strong> leaf weight<\/strong> <strong>in kg<\/strong>. It determines the torque the motor needs to deliver, even more than the leaf&#8217;s length does. Weight generally falls into three ranges:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>up to 400 kg:<\/strong> standard residential gates&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>400\u20131000 kg: <\/strong>villas or small apartment buildings, with gates subject to more frequent use&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>1000\u20133500 kg:<\/strong> industrial or commercial settings, where motors dedicated to heavy loads are needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So <strong>how long can a sliding gate be<\/strong>? Leaf length directly affects the structure&#8217;s overall weight: a very long gate, even if lightweight, can easily exceed 1000 kg.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Duty cycles and frequency of use&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Residential use<\/strong> involves few cycles per hour, with long pauses between openings. Apartment buildings, businesses and restricted-access areas, on the other hand, have very different needs: frequent, back-to-back cycles with no time to cool down between operations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is where the <strong>duty cycle<\/strong> comes in: the percentage of time the motor can run without overheating, compared with the time it needs to rest. A motor that&#8217;s undersized for the number of cycles required will trip its thermal protection, stop and wear out faster. The cycles per hour stated for each series isn&#8217;t a minor detail, it&#8217;s the motor&#8217;s real operating limit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/come-scegliere-motore-per-cancello-scorrevole-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18653\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Power supply: single-phase or three-phase&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Standard installations<\/strong> run on 230V single-phase, while in industrial settings, three-phase power delivers higher output, better suited to handling heavy leaves without excessively stressing the motor during start-up.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some <strong>CAME motor series<\/strong>, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/products\/sliding-gates-automation-bk\/\">BK sliding gate<\/a> range, offer a 230-400V AC three-phase option for the 2200 kg model, designed for high-intensity professional applications. The same applies to the BY-3500T, powered by three-phase to ensure maximum performance on the heaviest loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of electric motors for sliding gates&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once weight, cycles, and power supply have been defined, <strong>the technology remains to be chosen<\/strong>. The three main families are 24V DC, 230V, and 400V three-phase, each with a preferred field of use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/come-scegliere-motore-per-cancello-scorrevole_2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18655\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Technology and application by power range: 24V, 230V and 400V three-phase&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Choosing the power range isn&#8217;t just a system detail \u2013&nbsp;it also defines the most suitable context of use for the motor.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>24V DC<\/strong> <strong>motors<\/strong> run at low voltage, offering safe operation to install and handle. This is the typical technology for advanced residential solutions, such as BXV, where the encoder ensures precise control even on gates subject to frequent use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>230V motors<\/strong> are still the most common choice. They cover everything from basic residential installations, such as the BX series, to industrial settings, such as the BK series, and run on standard mains power, which is available on almost any site.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>400V three-phase<\/strong> comes into play in the most demanding industrial settings: it delivers higher power, needed to handle heavy leaves without excessively stressing the motor during start-up. It powers the three-phase versions of BK and the BY-3500T, designed for heavy-duty gates and intensive use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Brushless motors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/come-scegliere-motore-per-cancello-scorrevole-6.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18657\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike traditional motors,<strong> brushless motors<\/strong> have no brushes: movement control is handled by an <strong>electronic control board<\/strong> and dedicated firmware. The result is quieter operation, higher performance, more precise movement, and reduced mechanical wear over time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At CAME, we&#8217;ve taken this technology into our<a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/products\/sliding-gates-automation-bkx\/\"> sliding gate range with the BKX<\/a>. It pairs industrial-grade power with brushless precision and quiet operation, while electronic control fine-tunes speed and torque in real time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Regulations and safety: what the system must comply with<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/come-scegliere-motore-per-cancello-scorrevole-5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18656\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A motorized sliding gate is only compliant if the entire system is \u2013 not &nbsp;just the motor: safety devices and correct installation as a whole matter just as much.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>CAME automation systems, for example, are designed to meet the requirements of <strong>Machinery Directive 2006\/42\/EC<\/strong> of the European Union: this allows installers to certify the system&#8217;s compliance easily.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meeting these requirements means the system must be equipped with at least the following devices, all compatible with our sliding gate automation systems:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>photocells, installed on both sides of the gate&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>safety edges, to protect against crushing and shearing at hazard points&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>flashing light, to signal the leaf&#8217;s movement&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>mechanical or magnetic limit switches, to define the travel range and prevent impacts at the end of the movement&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our automation systems integrate each of these devices, ensuring a fully compliant system overall. It nonetheless remains the installer&#8217;s responsibility to check each component and its correct integration.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advanced electronics for connecting safety devices&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/it\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/come-scegliere-motore-per-cancello-scorrevole-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-18654\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our sliding gate automation systems integrate an <strong>electronic control board designed to simplify the connection<\/strong> of all safety devices required by the system: photocells, safety edges, and flashing light connect to the board&#8217;s dedicated inputs, with no need for additional components.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This type of board&#8217;s terminal block, for example, is designed to make wiring and installation faster and simpler: the advantage is especially valuable on gates with more complex configurations, where multiple pairs of photocells or multiple safety edges need to work in sync with the motor&#8217;s opening and closing logic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which CAME sliding gate solution to choose&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The criterion for choosing one <strong>gate automation<\/strong> series over another always stays the same: leaf weight, expected duty cycles, and context of use \u2013 residential or industrial. We build all our technical documentation around these criteria, and we support installers with dedicated assistance at every stage of the project, from sizing to commissioning.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/products\/sliding-gates-automation-bx\/\">BX<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/products\/sliding-gates-automation-bxv\/\">BXV <\/a>automation systems:<\/strong> BX is the standard residential solution, for leaves up to 800 kg and 14 m, with mechanical limit switches and provision for magnetic limit switches. BXV is the advanced version, running at 24V, for up to 1000 kg and 20 m, designed for intensive service and, like BX, features an encoder for precise control and native integration with CAME connected systems. The typical setting is villas, private residences, and medium-sized gates.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/products\/sliding-gates-automation-bk\/\">BK<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/products\/sliding-gates-automation-bkv\/\">BKV<\/a> automation systems:<\/strong> BK is a 230V industrial motor for leaves up to 2200 kg and 23 m, also available in a 230\u2013400V three-phase version for the most demanding loads. BKV runs at 36V, handles up to 2500 kg, features Adaptive Speed and Torque technology and an encoder for smooth, consistent movement over time, and is IP54-rated to withstand weather exposure. Both series remain easy to install while maintaining high performance, and are suited to heavy gates with medium-to-high usage frequency.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/products\/sliding-gates-automation-by-3500t\/\">BY-3500T<\/a>:<\/strong> designed for the heaviest gates, up to 3500 kg and 23 m of leaf, in industrial and high-security settings. Its 230\u2013400V three-phase motor and robust mechanical structure make it suited to demanding operating conditions.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For more detailed technical data on each model, you can consult the product documentation or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/find-a-professional\/\">contact the CAME network of professionals<\/a>, who also offer support with system sizing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-text-align-center wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.came.com\/it\/contattaci\/\"><strong>CONTACT US<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:57px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Automation is at the heart of every sliding gate, but no single motor suits every situation. Gate leaf weight, duty cycles, available power supply, on-site environmental conditions: these are the factors that determine which gearmotor to choose, and underestimating them can prove costly: from motor overload and premature failure to non-compliance with regulations.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":13909,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single_news.php","format":"standard","meta":{"elastic_search":"","powered_cache_disable_cache":false,"footnotes":"[]"},"categories":[2334,62],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13906"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13906"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13906\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13912,"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13906\/revisions\/13912"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13906"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13906"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.came.com\/global\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13906"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}