Every electric gate operator has a way to switch to manual mode, but the method differs by maker, so find it in your owner's manual before you need it. Use the release only when the gate has stopped, secure the gate before you pass through, and put the release back when power returns. A backup battery usually runs the motor only.
What happens to an electric gate when the power fails
A gate operator needs power to move the gate. LiftMaster's residential buyer's guide says all gates require some type of power to open, and that most gate operators provide a way to switch to manual mode so a person can open the gate by hand. The method varies by manufacturer.
Without a battery, the motor stops and the gate stays where it was. With a backup battery, the operator can keep cycling for a while. The manual release is your fallback when the battery runs flat.
How to open an electric gate by hand
Find your release
Look in the owner's manual for the release on your model. On a swing gate with a linear arm it may be a pin at the gate bracket. Others use a lever, a key or a handle.
Stop the operator
Switch off the operator's power and battery as the manual shows, so the motor cannot start while you work. US Automatic's manual, for example, tells you to disable the actuator before detaching the arm from the gate.
Wait until the gate is still
Do not pull a release while the gate is moving.
Release the gate
Remove the pin, turn the lever or use the key exactly as your manual describes.
Move the gate slowly
Push or pull it by hand with people, pets and vehicles clear. Do not force a gate that sticks.
Secure it before you pass
US Automatic's manual says to secure the gate before you attempt to pass through. Prop or block it so it cannot swing or roll back.
Reset when power returns
Put the release back as the manual shows, restore power, then run the gate once with the path clear and watch it stop and reverse as it should.
Cut power at the operator, find the release, open the gate and put it back.
Does the backup battery keep everything working?
Often not everything. A battery on the operator may protect only the motor. The keypad, intercom, safety sensors and any electric lock need power too, and a lock with no backup can hold the gate shut while the motor still has power.
| Part of the system | Needs power? | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Operator motor | Yes, battery or mains | Battery age and charge |
| Keypad and intercom | Yes | Whether they are on the battery circuit |
| Electric lock | Yes | Whether the gate can be released by key |
| Safety sensors | Yes | Whether they still work on battery |
Ask your installer which parts run on the battery. Your manual lists it for your model.
How long does a gate battery last?
It depends on the operator, the gate's weight and length, and the battery's age. Manufacturers rate backup in cycles. One Viking operator page, for example, lists 300 cycles on its backup battery for a 600 lb gate that is 12 feet long.
Watch the gate's speed. US Automatic's manual says a gate that normally opens in about 12 seconds and starts to slow down needs its battery tested. Test the battery when the gate slows, not only after an outage.
Fail-safe or fail-secure?
Gates with electric locks or magnetic locks behave in one of two ways when power is lost.
- Fail-safe: the gate unlocks so it can be pushed open with no special equipment.
- Fail-secure: the gate stays locked, and you need the manual release or a key to move it.
Ask your installer which one you have.
What to avoid
- Releasing a gate that is still moving
- Leaving the gate released and unattended, which also leaves the property open
- Opening the control box in the rain or touching wiring
- Blocking or bypassing a sensor so the gate will close
- Forcing a bent or jammed gate with a vehicle
When to call a technician
Call if the release will not move, the gate is bent or off its hinges or track, the battery will not hold a charge, or the gate does not run again after the power returns. See electric gate repair and gate repair, and for a gate that fails to open with power on, read why an electric gate will not open.
Emil Garage Doors repairs and installs gates in Southern California, for example in Ventura, San Jacinto and Lomita. Call (213) 340-4232 or send the estimate form, and tell us the gate type and the make of the operator.
Questions people ask
Can I open an electric gate by hand when the power is out?
Yes. Most gate operators have a manual mode. How you reach it depends on the maker, so check your owner's manual, release the gate only when it is still, and secure it before you walk or drive through.
Will a battery backup open my gate during an outage?
It can, for a limited number of cycles that depends on the model and the gate. The battery may power only the motor, so the keypad, intercom or lock may still need their own backup.
Why will my gate not move in manual mode?
The release may not be fully disengaged, the gate may be bent or binding on its hinges or track, or a lock may still hold it. Do not force it. Call a technician.
How often should I test the manual release?
Check it when you do your regular gate checks. US Automatic's manual says to verify that the release pin can be easily removed and to check monitored safety devices at least once a month.
More guides
Sources
- LiftMaster residential gate operator buyer's guide
- US Automatic Patriot swing gate operator installation and owner's manual (emergency manual release, battery, periodic service)
- Viking Access operator manual page: manual release, fail-safe and fail-secure, backup battery cycles
- Grit Daily: what a power shutoff does to your automatic gate