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If you have electric gates, how will you talk to your visitors to know if you want to let them in?
An audio and video gate or door entry system allows you to see and talk to them. But some wireless video and door entry systems are so clever that you could be anywhere in the world and still communicate with anyone trying to get in.
Entry to private or commercial properties can be controlled by barriers or gates across driveways and other vehicle entry points. But the owners of barriers or electric driveway gates need some way for visitors to communicate with them remotely.
Normally, this will be facilitated by an entry system called an intercom which is short for interconnected communications.
A gate or door entry system is made up of a few components and the first is found outside the gates.
This is referred to as the outside station, the call panel, entry panel, visitor call station, gate panel, speech panel or front panel.
It is mounted on a post, gate pillar or wall where it can be accessed easily by visitors.
The minimum feature you need is a button on the entry panel that sounds a buzzer or bell inside the house when pressed just like a doorbell.
Inside the house is a gate release button but you have to be able to see who is at your gates for this type of installation to be secure.
Moving up to an audio installation and you have one or more wall-mounted, desk or portable handsets in your home.
The gate release button and door bell-type buzzer are still there but you can now also speak to the caller using the handset or hands free.
For full audio and video access control, a camera is included in the call panel and the handset has a video monitor. Today, monitors are nearly all colour and use a tft or lcd display.
The final piece of the jigsaw is the method of communication used by the visitor call station at your gates and the handset or handsets in your home.
Wired entry systems are connected by wires. Using one of a few different technologies, wireless versions do away with the need for this physical connection.
What different types of video entry systems for your gate are there?
So, what type of video gate or door intercom is best for you?
Where are your gates?
If you can see the end of your drive from your home, a bell or buzzer may be all you need to let you know you have a caller at your gates
If you can't see the end of your drive easily, a video intercom that incorporates a camera at the gate an indoor tft or lcd display in the house lets you see and talk to visitors.
But if the gates are a long way away, running wires to them may be difficult and a wireless system may be better.
Communication between the entry panel and handset in the house is made via radio waves.
This will give a clear signal where there is a clear line of sight and no large obstacles.
Where the two units are further apart or where there isn't a clear line of sight, a relay signal booster can be installed to increase the range.
This is the technology used by mobile phones.
The call station uses a sim card and effectively makes a mobile phone call when someone arrives at the gates.
This also means that your smartphone or tablet can be the call handset so that you can see a caller on your phone display using an app.
Much like your computer wifi connection to the internet, wifi video intercoms use an internet router and a wifi network for the entry panel to communicate with the handset.
And just like the wifi your computer uses for internet connection, the range between the gate panel and house handset is limited.
With both wifi and GSM wireless video intercom systems, it is possible for technicians to log in remotely and diagnose problems, update phone numbers and carry out other maintenance.
It is possible to open your gates from outside if you have a keypad or a proximity reader included in the system.
A keypad allows you to enter a pre-programmed code to open your gates.
Touch a special, authorised proximity tag or card up to a reader and you can do the same.
The latest technology relies on the uniqueness of fingerprints.
Biometric scanners are now common for logging onto computers and are finding their way into top end gate entry systems.
If you live on a busy street, you could opt for a vandal-proof housing for the gate panel.
This makes it resistant to wilful damage and much harder to get to its inner workings.
Gate panels with a backlit keypad and lights to illuminate visitors video-calling are sensible features.
Some panels are available with hoods that help shield keypads from rain and to keep key codes private.
There is also often a selection of colours and different designs for the call panel.
Black. silver, brushed stainless steel and gold are common choices.
How you will operate your gates has an impact on what sort of intercom will be the most suitable.
Will you have regular visitors who you trust to let themselves in?
If so, you'll need to include a keypad or proximity reader with your video intercom and give them their own code or tag, or card.
How will delivery drivers get in? Will they simply call you on an audio intercom?
Or, would you like to have a set time during the day when the gates can be opened from outside using a code you give to delivery drivers you know will be coming that day?
What happens if you're away but still want to let people in?
If you choose a wireless entry system that uses GSM, you can answer a visitor at your gates from anywhere in the world using an app on your smartphone as long as you have a signal.
A good video intercom system will allow a virtual version of you to stand just inside your gates and talk to your visitor before opening the gates or leaving them closed.
Wireless intercoms are also great for use in multi-occupancy flats and apartment buildings as there's no need to run wires from the entry panel to each monitor unit in each flat.
In multiple occupancy or multiple use buildings, keypad codes or proximity tags or cards can also be used for residents or approved users of the building.
This works for the entrance to the property and on the doors into the actual building.
A video door entry system or door intercom is also a great way to manage the security of commercial buildings with multiple offices, or businesses with a number of employees.
Visitor call units can be supplied with individual call buttons for each apartment or office, or the relevant number can be keyed in to select the right property before the call button is used.
The added security provided by the images on a video door intercom display helps confirm a caller's identity. This is valuable where more visitors or delivery drivers are calling a higher number of properties.
What are the best wireless video systems?
Each type of wireless intercom has its own advantages.
Radio is robust and reliable but has range limits and the signal can be affected by large obstacles blocking its path. But radio wireless entry intercoms are usually the cheapest and can be supplied in all designs with a keypad and readers if required.
GSM is a great wireless communication technology for entry systems if you want the flexibility of using your smartphone or tablet or a monitor to receive calls from your gate panel.
Gate and door entry systems using wi fi video communicate through an internet router. This sends video and audio from the visitor panel via the internet to the monitor of a hard-wired or wi fi-enabled device connected to your network.
The cost to install wi fi video gate and door entry systems
The hardware is also more expensive than radio systems, so a GSM video intercom system will usually cost more to install and run than the equivalent radio wireless intercom.
However, contracts can be set up for longer periods than with mobile phones to keep costs down and to ensure network coverage for years without interruption.
Wi fi video gate and door entry systems have a similar cost to GSM video door entry systems but there's no need for a sim contract.
In all cases with wireless intercom installation, wires don't have to be run between the entry panel and the house.
This helps keep these costs down and can balance out the increased costs of wireless entry systems over wired equivalents.
Some homeowners are concerned with any aspect of their home security that is accessible via the internet or through mobile signals.
However, as long as you choose passwords that can't be easily guessed, criminals are extremely unlikely to beat the security built into these systems.
Gate Automation Supplies specialises in all things relating to automatic electric gates.
Our range of wireless intercom systems from leading manufacturers is comprehensive, great value with comes with full support.
We work closely with a nationwide network of experienced and trustworthy specialists, so we can always put you in touch with the right person to give you the support you need.
A video entry system is the closest you will get to standing at your gates talking to your visitor before deciding whether to let them in without actually being there.
If your electric gates play any role in the security of your home, wireless intercoms are an essential addition that will make your home more secure.
Without video intercoms, you can't see who you're talking to so you can't see their faces, ID, vehicles, uniforms etc.
The price difference for including video rather than just having an audio intercom is not huge but the benefits of including video are.
The added security provided by the images on a video door intercom display helps confirm a caller's identity. This is valuable where more visitors or delivery drivers are calling a higher number of properties.
5 Comment(s)
Can you supply price list and information how to install
Can you supply price list and information how to install
Hi can you quote to replace a panel on gate which is wired to two houses in a courtyard. We currently have buzzer only which routes to both houses but might be interested in a camera option depending on cost . Would wireless system work although we’re approximately 100 metres from the electric gates. So maybe a radio signal would work? When she replied to the email I can forward a quote that I’ve received from a local company. By the way we are in Dorset is that something you can organise? Thanks
Hi Darren, Could you please give us a call on 03300 883 890 about this. Kind regards Ben- Gate Automation Supplies.
Hi Darren, Could you please give us a call on 03300 883 890 about this. Kind regards Ben
Need an intercom in Potters Bar EN6
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