SamSmith Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Hi, I’m trying to power a gate motor 200m from our house. We will need power to the gate motors, an intercom and a light. What size and core cable should I use for that distance? Any advice appreciated, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamJones Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 All depends on how many amps over how many meters. Let’s make a guess at 13amp for now plug this into the calculator, for single phase 230v over 200m with a 3% drop (acceptable for lights) we end up with 25mm 3 core https://armouredcable.net/armoured-cable-calculator/# Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuerteStu Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Will the intercom need a hardwired connection? 200m is a long way for wireless. While you've got a trench open. Makes sense to drop in a multicore cable alongside the 230v one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamJones Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 3 minutes ago, FuerteStu said: Will the intercom need a hardwired connection? 200m is a long way for wireless. While you've got a trench open. Makes sense to drop in a multicore cable alongside the 230v one Good shout, although be careful of separation distances between power and data to avoid interference. 200mm (I think) for unshielded cables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 Look at the data plate on your gate motor for a start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuerteStu Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 I've put in a gate supply before, we ran a 12 core 2.5mm in the same trench. That gave them options for remote opening, lighting controls and a digital audio 2 way system.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 10 minutes ago, FuerteStu said: I've put in a gate supply before, we ran a 12 core 2.5mm in the same trench. That gave them options for remote opening, lighting controls and a digital audio 2 way system.. You shouldn't mix voltages and data in the same cable like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuerteStu Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 3 minutes ago, Onoff said: You shouldn't mix voltages and data in the same cable like that. Depends entirely on the voltages... All signals were <24 volts and had appropriate circuit protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuerteStu Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 I'd put a cabinet nearby. With a small dB separating the gate controls, lighting and an extra spare socket cause you never know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 600 watts. I based that on my faac741 operator at 500 watts and 100 watts of lighting/ anti con heaters/ intercom 200metres 3 core swa 4mm2 gives under 3% volt drop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joth Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 23 minutes ago, FuerteStu said: Depends entirely on the voltages... All signals were <24 volts and had appropriate circuit protection. Doesn't just depend on the voltages, but on whether some signals are for SELV or not. SELV and mains (or anything >50V) must not be combined in a single cable. Hence why Dali data lines are not considered SELV and must be treated as if they carry mains, despite being 24V, just as one example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 37 minutes ago, FuerteStu said: Depends entirely on the voltages... All signals were <24 volts and had appropriate circuit protection. I stopped listening when you said 25mm2 tbh. Plus you should take it as 5% not 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuerteStu Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 12 minutes ago, joth said: Doesn't just depend on the voltages, but on whether some signals are for SELV or not. SELV and mains (or anything >50V) must not be combined in a single cable. Hence why Dali data lines are not considered SELV and must be treated as if they carry mains, despite being 24V, just as one example. The data and control cables were all compatible to be in the same cable.. The contactor arrangement for switching was recommended by the gate manufacturer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuerteStu Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 1 minute ago, Onoff said: I stopped listening when you said 25mm2 tbh. Plus you should take it as 5% not 3. Wasn't me.. 😑 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LiamJones Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 2 minutes ago, Onoff said: I stopped listening when you said 25mm2 tbh. Plus you should take it as 5% not 3. That was me, I hoped I’d caveated it enough with 1 hour ago, LiamJones said: All depends on how many amps over how many meters. but clearly not Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted October 4, 2023 Share Posted October 4, 2023 4 minutes ago, FuerteStu said: Wasn't me.. 😑 My sincere apologies for suggesting you were a: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 I'm pretty sure I've seen cables for household car charging points being advertised with the power and data cores in the same cable.... https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/5243696-3-core-6-0mm-cat5-ev-cable-black-cut-length-sold-by-the-mtr?gclid=CjwKCAjwvfmoBhAwEiwAG2tqzKXgR2l1fhLNZr6BMSCtxQOX5knV9vbL1mAtyUlgWK_NRyrDdYrD_xoCV-YQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds not sure how these work... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe90 Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 (edited) I am about to put electric gates in and my motor is fused at 3 amp, not 13 amp. (But only 10m distance). Edited October 5, 2023 by joe90 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 1 hour ago, Marvin said: I'm pretty sure I've seen cables for household car charging points being advertised with the power and data cores in the same cable.... https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/5243696-3-core-6-0mm-cat5-ev-cable-black-cut-length-sold-by-the-mtr?gclid=CjwKCAjwvfmoBhAwEiwAG2tqzKXgR2l1fhLNZr6BMSCtxQOX5knV9vbL1mAtyUlgWK_NRyrDdYrD_xoCV-YQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds not sure how these work... Specifically designed with extra protection, both mechanical and shielding on the data side. To my gate I've a bit of 2.5mm2 3 core swa in a bfo DNO duct (60mm dia?), then two 20mm flexible conduits inside that for camera, gate release etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 14 hours ago, FuerteStu said: Will the intercom need a hardwired connection? 200m is a long way for wireless. While you've got a trench open. Makes sense to drop in a multicore cable alongside the 230v one If you've got a trench open, put in a couple of conduits with drawstrings rather than extra naked cables. The house to the gate is exactly the tope of place you will have need for a new run at least once in the next decade eg if something like a phone cable or an old data cable breaks, or if you need a new one. The prices of bigger rolls of conduit falls so sharply that the extra cost is minimal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnMo Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 Solar powered? options are available fully packaged, battery and solar panels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 A friend who does gates and access often suggests wiring for a socket at the gate end. I think it is so he can plug in his charger and make tea when he comes back to service them! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamSmith Posted October 5, 2023 Author Share Posted October 5, 2023 Thank you all. I’ve ordered 200m of 10mm2 3 core which should do the job. I’m dropping a spare 50mm electric duct in just in case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted October 5, 2023 Share Posted October 5, 2023 4mm2 would do the job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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