Motors · checked 28 October 2026
Gate automation and motors
Which motor suits which gate, what automation costs, and the safety devices every electric gate needs.
Prices checked against each source on 28 October 2026. Each figure links to its source. How we check
Swing gates are driven by ram motors, articulated-arm motors or underground motors. Sliding gates use a sliding-gate motor with a rack and pinion. The motor must suit the gate's weight, length, slope and how often it opens. ShamFix's 2026 guide puts automation at €1,200–€3,500+ on top of the gate. FÁLÚ gives €1,200–€2,500 to automate a manual sliding gate.
A motor that's too small for the gate wears out fast. The safety devices matter as much as the motor.
Motor types
| Motor | Gate | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram (linear) | Swing | A piston arm pushes and pulls the leaf, fixed between the pier and the gate | Most double swing gates with room behind the piers |
| Articulated arm | Swing | A folding arm, like a door closer | Thick piers, where a ram won't fit |
| Underground | Swing | Sits in a box under the hinge, out of sight | A clean look. Needs good drainage |
| Sliding motor | Sliding | A motor beside the gate turns a pinion along a rack on the gate | All sliding gates |
Motor types as described by ShamFix.ie 2026 price guide, 21 September 2026, VAT not stated. Read 28 October 2026.
ShamFix's guide notes that ram and articulated motors stay visible and are easier to reach for servicing, while underground motors look cleaner but need careful drainage and accurate installation below ground.
What automation costs
| Item | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Automation added to a gate | €1,200–€3,500+ | ShamFix.ie, 21 Sep 2026 |
| Automation upgrade on a manual sliding aluminium gate | €1,200–€2,500 | FÁLÚ, 4 Dec 2025 |
| Access control and intercoms | €400–€1,500 | ShamFix.ie, 21 Sep 2026 |
| Video, intercom or camera add-ons | €200–€1,000 | BM Alarm Systems, 4 Dec 2024 |
| Power to the gate, where none is nearby | €200–€600 | BM Alarm Systems, 4 Dec 2024 |
VAT not stated. Read 28 October 2026.
FÁLÚ lists what moves its automation price: the motor brand, safety edges and photocells, remote controls, and a keypad or intercom.
Sizing the motor
The installer works from the gate's weight and the length of each leaf, the slope, how exposed the entrance is to wind, and how many times a day it opens. A solid timber leaf in an open, windy spot needs more than a light railing-style gate. A farmyard or shared entrance that opens dozens of times a day needs a motor rated for that use. Ask what the motor is rated for, and how that compares with your gate.
Safety is part of the motor
The Health and Safety Authority safety alert on electrically powered gates was issued after a person was trapped and fatally injured by one in 2015. It says:
- Force limitation should make the gate reverse when it meets an obstruction, through intelligent drive units or safe edges
- Force limitation must be backed up by photo beams across the entrance, inside and outside the gate
- Photo beams should never be the only safety measure, because they're easy to defeat by standing astride or leaning over them
- Gates operated remotely, by fob or phone, without sight of the gate need these precautions
- Whoever assembles a gate from parts is generally treated as the machine's manufacturer and must make the whole installation safe
That last point matters: the person who fits your motor to your gate is responsible for the whole system being safe. Ask the installer how they'll test it, and for the paperwork when it's done.
Controls
- Remote fobs. The standard. Ask how many are included.
- Keypad. A code at the gate, for visitors and deliveries.
- GSM. Opens from a phone call or app.
- Intercom. Audio or video, so you can see or hear who's there before you open it.
Power and the electrician
An electric gate needs a mains supply run out to it, usually in ducting under the drive. BM Alarm Systems puts that at €200–€600 where there's no supply nearby. ShamFix's guide says the mains connection must be done by a Safe Electric registered electrician. If the drive is being dug up or resurfaced anyway, have the duct laid at the same time.
Questions to ask
- Which motor, and what gate weight and use is it rated for?
- What safety devices are included, and how will you test them?
- What happens in a power cut: is there a manual release, a battery backup, or both?
- How many remotes, and what's a spare?
- Who does the electrical connection and certifies it?
- What's the warranty on the motor, and what does a service cost?
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to automate gates in Ireland?
ShamFix's 2026 guide puts automation at €1,200–€3,500+ on top of the gate. FÁLÚ gives €1,200–€2,500 to add a motor to a manual sliding aluminium gate. VAT not stated.
Which gate motor suits swing gates?
It depends on the piers and the look. Rams suit most double gates, articulated arms suit thick piers, and underground motors hide the mechanism but need drainage.
Do electric gates need safety sensors?
Yes. The Health and Safety Authority says force limitation must be backed up by photo beams inside and outside the gate.
Can I add a motor to my existing gates?
Often, if the gates and hinges are sound and the motor suits their weight. FÁLÚ gives €1,200–€2,500 for an automation upgrade on a manual sliding gate.
Who connects the power to an electric gate?
A Safe Electric registered electrician, according to ShamFix's guide. Your gate installer may arrange one.
Sources (3)
Prices and facts on this page were checked against these published pages. We are not connected to these businesses.
- ShamFix.ie 2026 price guide: shamfix.ie
- FÁLÚ: falu.ie
- BM Alarm Systems: bmalarms.ie
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