Every gate operator has a duty cycle rating that determines how often it can operate. Choosing the wrong rating leads to premature failure.
What Is Duty Cycle?
Duty cycle indicates the operator's work capacity:
- Typically expressed as cycles per hour or per day
- Also rated as percentage of time operational
- Includes cooling periods between operations
Residential Ratings
Light Duty
- 10-20 cycles per day
- Single family homes
- Occasional use
Standard Duty
- 20-50 cycles per day
- Active families
- Multiple vehicles
Commercial Ratings
Medium Duty
- 50-100 cycles per day
- Small businesses
- Light commercial
Heavy Duty
- 100-500 cycles per day
- Parking facilities
- Industrial sites
Continuous Duty
- 500+ cycles per day
- High-traffic commercial
- 24/7 operations
Calculating Your Needs
- Count typical daily vehicle entries/exits
- Include guest and delivery traffic
- Add 20-30% buffer
- Consider future changes
Consequences of Undersizing
- Motor overheating
- Premature component wear
- Thermal shutdown during use
- Shortened equipment life
- Voided warranty
Right-Sized Solutions
Standard Gate Co helps match operators to your actual usage. We prevent over-buying and under-specifying. Call (323) 488-GATE.