Advanced Technical Diagnostics
Active Infrared Safety Beams (BS EN 16005)
Safety is not negotiable. Under BS EN 16005, automatic doors must not close if a person is in the threshold. This protection is provided by Active Infrared Safety Beams or 'light curtains'. In Hornsey, these sensors often become misaligned due to knocks from trolleys or luggage. A dirty lens can also cause the door to hold open permanently as a failsafe.
We test the 'stop and reverse' function using standard test bodies. If your current sensors are outdated (e.g., single-beam photocells), we can upgrade your system to Monitored Safety Sensors. These communicate with the main processor 100 times a second; if the sensor fails, the door defaults to a safe mode. This upgrade is essential for protecting your liability in public-facing Hornsey environments.
Drive Belt, Pulleys & Tensioning
A grinding or clicking noise is usually mechanical. The sliding door leaves are driven by a Toothed Drive Belt reinforced with Kevlar or steel. Over time, and with the temperature fluctuations in Hornsey, these belts can stretch or fray. A loose belt results in 'slop' in the door movement and inaccurate positioning.
We replace worn belts and re-tension the system using the idler pulley. Crucially, we also inspect the Carriage Wheels. These nylon rollers run on the aluminium track. If they develop flat spots, the door will vibrate. We clean the track of debris and replace worn rollers, ensuring the door glides silently. We also replace the Floor Guides, which prevent the door from swinging out and hitting pedestrians.
Electro-Mechanical Locking Devices
Security at night is vital for Hornsey businesses. We repair and replace Electro-Mechanical Solenoid Locks. These devices physically bolt the carriage to the track when the door is in 'Night' mode. A misaligned lock pin can jam the door, preventing it from opening in the morning.
We align the lock keep and test the solenoid activation. We also check the manual release lever (or Bowden cable) to ensure the door can be physically unlocked in an emergency. For high-security sites, we can upgrade standard solenoids to multi-point hook locks that offer significantly higher resistance to forced entry.
Brushless DC Motor & Gearbox Engineering
The motive power of your automatic door in Hornsey comes from a precision-engineered Brushless DC Motor. Unlike older brushed motors, these units rely on electronic commutation for efficiency. However, high cycle counts in Hornsey's busy venues can wear down the reduction gearbox. Common symptoms include shuddering, grinding noises, or a lack of torque to close against wind pressure.
Our engineers carry replacement motor assemblies for Dorma ES-200 and Geze Slimdrive units. We inspect the nylon gears within the gearbox for signs of stripping—a common issue if the door has been forced. We also test the Optical Encoder. This device tells the computer exactly where the door is. If the encoder fails, the door slams because it doesn't know when to slow down. Replacing the motor-gearbox assembly restores the silent, effortless operation your facility needs.
Microprocessor Control Board Diagnostics
The Control Board (PCB) is the brain of the operation. It manages speeds, hold-open times, and lock logic. When a door behaves erratically in Hornsey, it is often a logic fault or a blown circuit. Our engineers use handheld diagnostic programmers to interrogate the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) for error codes.
Common errors include 'Motor Over-Current' (indicating an obstruction) or 'Sensor Test Fail'. We can often reset the board to factory defaults and re-learn the door cycle (measuring the width and weight) to clear software glitches. If the board is fried due to a power surge, we carry generic and brand-specific replacements to get you up and running immediately.
Microwave Radar & Activation Logic
False activations, often called 'ghosting', are a plague for businesses in Hornsey. This occurs when the Microwave Radar Sensors detect rain, snow, or even vibrating glass as a pedestrian. We specialize in the calibration of Bea Eagle and Optex sensors. We adjust the detection field geometry (sensitivity and angle) to ignore parallel traffic while ensuring immediate activation for approaching users.
Advanced sensors allow for 'direction sensing' logic. We configure this to ensure the door only opens for people walking towards it, not past it. This simple adjustment can save significant energy costs for your building in Hornsey. We also inspect the wiring harness between the sensor and the control board, as loose connections often cause intermittent 'dead' signals.
Battery Backup & Emergency Systems (UPS)
In the event of a power failure in Hornsey, your automatic door must behave predictably. This is controlled by the Battery Backup Unit (BPU). For escape routes, the door must open (Fail-Safe); for secure areas like banks, it must lock (Fail-Secure). These battery packs are chemical components that degrade over 3-5 years.
We test the battery's capacity to hold a charge. If the battery is dead, the door may lock shut during a fire alarm test—a critical safety violation. We replace degraded packs to ensure your emergency logic functions correctly. We also integrate the door controller with your building's Fire Alarm interface to ensure immediate opening upon a fire signal.
