Electromechanical or hydraulic tilting engines: Which one to choose?

At the time of motorize a garage tilting door, one of the most common doubts is to know if it is advisable to install a electromechanical tilting motor or a hydraulic tilting motor. Although both systems allow automating the opening and closing of the door, they are not exactly designed for the same type of use.

The choice will depend on door weight, the number of daily maneuvers, if the installation is for a particular housing or a community, and also if the door preserves the closing latches.

Quick comparison between electromechanical and hydraulic tilting motors

What is an electromechanical tilting motor?

A electromechanical tilting motor it works through a gearmotor system that transmits the movement to the door. Is a solution widely used in residential garages, especially when the door does not have a very intensive use.

One of its main advantages is that many models already incorporate locking in the engine itself. This means that, when the door is closed, the system is blocked and prevents the door from opening manually from the outside.

When to choose an electromechanical engine of 230 Vac?

A 230 Vac electromechanical tilting motor it is usually a good option for a particular housing, where the door performs few maneuvers a day. It is a practical, reliable and economical solution to automate a tilting garage door.

This type of motor is mainly thought for residential use. If the door is going to work many times a day, as it happens in a neighborhood community, it may be more advisable to value other options most prepared for intensive use.

What advantages does an electromechanical engine of 24 VDC have?

The 24 VDC electromechanical tilting motors they offer an important advantage over many models of 230 Vac: they can incorporate more advanced control systems, such as encoder, force regulation and obstacle detection.

Thanks to these systems, the engine can better control the movement of the door and improve safety during maneuver. For this reason, an electromechanical engine of 24 VDC can be a good option for residential garages or even for a a few neighbors, as long as the door is not excessively heavy or have a use too intensive.

What is a hydraulic tilting motor?

A hydraulic tilting motor use a hydraulic system to move the door. This type of motor usually offers plus that an electromechanical system and is especially indicated for heavier tilting doors, doors with greater resistance or facilities with more daily maneuvers.

Hydraulic engines are very common in community Garages, although they can also be installed in private homes when a more robust solution is sought or when you want to preserve the door latch system.

What engine is best for a neighborhood community?

For one neighborhood, it is usually more recommended hydraulic tilting motor, especially if the door has many maneuvers per day or is a large and heavy door.

The main reason is that the hydraulic motors are designed to work with greater force and better support a more demanding use. In small communities you can also value a electromechanical engine of 24 VDC, especially if the door is not very heavy and the number of daily maneuvers is moderate.

What happens with the latches of the tilting door?

Many tilting doors incorporate side latches or mechanical closure systems. These latches are used to block the door when closed, providing a safer closure.

In electromechanical engines, the usual thing is that the engine itself already has built-in lock. In many facilities, this allows you to dispense with the original door latches, provided that the installation allows it and the technician considers it appropriate.

Instead, in some hydraulic systems it is possible to install a hydraulic lock for latch collection. This system allows you to automatically free the latches when the door starts to open and replace them when the door closes.

What advantage does a hydraulic lock for latches have?

The hydraulic lock it is a very interesting solution when you want to preserve the original closure of the tilting door. When you open the door, the system collects the latches automatically, avoiding having to unlock them manually.

When the door closes again, the latches are placed again in its position, keeping the original mechanical closure of the door. This solution is especially useful in tilting doors where a robust and safe installation is sought.

Is a hydraulic motor only for communities?

Not necessarily. Although the hydraulic tilting engines they are highly recommended for neighborhood communities, they can also be used in particular garages.

In a particular housing it may be interesting to install a hydraulic motor if the door is heavy, if you want a solution more strongly or if you want to preserve the latching system of the door by means of a compatible hydraulic lock.

What is safer: electromechanical or hydraulic?

Safety does not depend solely on whether the engine is electromechanical or hydraulic. It also depends on the maneuvering box, the regulation of force, of installed accessories and the security systems as photocells, , antiasplastic bands o Detection of obstacles.

In general, electromechanical engines of 24 VDC with Encoder they can offer better control of movement and a more precise detection of obstacles. In hydraulic engines, security will depend on the model, electronic picture and installed safety accessories.

What engine will choose for a residential tilting door?

For a tilting door of a particular housing, you can usually choose a electromechanical motor. If the use is low and the door is not very heavy, a model of 230 VAC it may be enough.

If a solution is sought with greater control, smoothness of movement and security, a electromechanical engine of 24 VDC, especially if you incorporate encoder or obstacle detection.

What engine will choose for a tilting door with a lot of use?

If the door is going to do many daily maneuvers, as happens in a community garage, it is usually a hydraulic tilting motor.

This type of motor offers more strength and is better prepared for demanding facilities. Also, if the door retains the latches, the installation of a hydraulic lock for automatic latch collection.

Summary: Electromechanical or hydraulic?

Frequently asked questions about tilting engines

Can I install an electromechanical engine on a tilting door with latches?

Yes, but it will depend on the installation. In many cases, when installing an electromechanical motor with built-in lock, the original latches may stop being used. Before doing so, it is important that a professional check the door and confirm that the engine closure is sufficient for that installation.

Do electromechanical engines have blockage?

Many electromechanical motors for tilting doors incorporate mechanical block in the engine itself. This helps keep the door closed and prevents it from opening manually from the outside.

Do the hydraulic motors make them preserve the latches?

Yes, in some hydraulic systems you can install a hydraulic lock to collect the latches automatically when you open and replace them when the door closes. It is a highly recommended solution when you want to keep the original closure of the tilting door.

What engine is better for a heavy tilting door?

For a heavy door, it is usually more recommended hydraulic motor, as it offers greater strength and is prepared for more demanding facilities.

What engine is better for a particular housing?

For a particular housing, a electromechanical motor. If a more advanced solution is sought, with better strength control and greater security, it may be advisable to choose a model of 24 VDC with Encoder.

What engine is best for a community?

For a community of neighbors, especially if the door performs many daily maneuvers, it is usually more recommended hydraulic tilting motor. In small communities, an electromechanical engine of 24 VDC can also be assessed, provided that the use and weight of the door allow it.

Conclusion

The choice between a electromechanical tilting motor and a hydraulic tilting motor it will depend mainly on the type of door, daily use and closing needs.

If it is a residential door with few maneuvers, an electromechanical motor can be a practical and economical solution. If more security and control are sought, a 24 VDC model with Encoder may be the best option.

Instead, if the door is heavy, it has a lot of use or want to preserve the latches through an automatic collection system, it will be assessing a hydraulic tilting motor with compatible hydraulic lock.

Before choosing a motor, it is important to check the door measurements, the approximate weight, the number of daily maneuvers and if the door has additional latches or closing systems.