Underground Swing Gate Operator
All FAAC underground systems are a minimum of IP67 which means they can be in up to a meter of water and so will be fine during periods of wet weather. They do need the water to drain away as they cannot be permanently submerged. There are three things to consider to prevent damage caused by a water logged box.
Runoff, Drainage & Soak away
These all need to be working together to keep the box from becoming a pond.
Runoff
The lid of the box isn’t sealed and it is expected that water will get in as it lands on top. Issues arise when water from the road and surrounding area is channeled in to the box bringing silt which will inevitably block up the drainage. Look to divert water runoff away from the box and clear the box of any silt and debris during the gates service visits every six months.
Drainage
The ground boxes for underground operators have drainage holes on the sides and the manuals provide instruction on the exiting pipe size.
Example, S800H
The pipe will need to have a slight decreasing gradient and lead to an area of lower ground or a soak away.
Soak away
If a soak away is being used, it will need to be made of a suitable size to clear the ground box of water within 30 minutes.