The Importance of Proper Wiring in Gate Access Control

We are familiar with harsh winters in the Midwest, and know how difficult it can be to repair, replace and troubleshoot underground wired automated gate devices during the winter. This past winter, we received a service call from someone with a simple problem: their keypad wasn’t working. There are a few possible problems that could cause a non-functioning keypad:

  • Something collided with the keypad
  • A bad battery
  • A bad keypad
  • The operator isn’t receiving a signal
  • Power isn’t going to the keypad
  • The power doesn’t have high enough voltage
  • There is faulty wiring going to the keypad
Automated gate keypad broken conduit

The first several times we tested the customer’s keypad out, it worked perfectly. We left the job site thinking everything was back in working order until the customer called again with the same complaint. We decided to dig a little deeper. We found out a couple of key details.

First of all, the keypad had been replaced a year or so ago by a different company. Also, the keypad works off and on, though seems to work better when you press the keys harder. We tested the keypad a few more times with mixed results, so our next step was to remove the keypad from the pedestal and check the voltage and wiring. During our inspection, everything looked new and clean. We checked the connections, and restriped and reconnected the wires and everything started working as it should again.

Gate access control keypad wiring with corrosion

As the freezing temperatures slowly climbed and the ground dethawed, we received another call from the customer complaining that their keypad stopped working again. Now that the ground is dethawed, we can trace the wiring down into the ground to look for the source of the problem. The wiring going into the pedestal was broken and the silicone was placed in large amounts trying to keep the water from entering the elbow. The wires were wire-nutted together and then black taped. They were also corroded which prevented them from making a good connection during every operation.

Word of advice: NEVER wire nut wires together under an elbow and then bury the elbow. If you are not able to have one continuous piece of wire, the best practice is to solder the connection and heat-shrink the connections.

Key pad wiring elbow with a flexible connection

Placing a flexible connection from the conduit to the pedestal will keep you from having as many problems with the movement of the earth and other objects in the winter months.