Every automated driveway gate installed to UK standards includes a manual release mechanism. This is a legal requirement under BS EN 12453 — not an optional extra. The manual release allows you to open and close the gate by hand when the power is off or the motor fails.
Before You Start: Check if It's a Local or Area Power Cut
Before reaching for the manual release key, quickly confirm whether the power cut is affecting just your gate or a wider area. Check that your property has power by looking at indoor lights or trying a socket. If the property has power but the gate does not respond, the fault is likely a tripped circuit breaker for the gate supply, a blown fuse, or a motor fault rather than a general power cut.
If your property has no power, check whether the cut is local or area-wide. UK Power Networks operates the electricity distribution network for London and the South East and maintains a real-time outage map on their website.
If the power cut is confirmed as an area outage, the manual release is your only option for gate operation until power is restored. Your gate should have a battery backup unit fitted — try the remote before using the manual release.
How to Manually Release a Ram-Arm Motor
Ram-arm motors — the type with visible motor arms mounted on the back of the gate and post — have the simplest manual release mechanism. The process for most major brands (FAAC, CAME, BFT, Nice) is as follows.
Locate the manual release point on the motor body. On most ram-arm motors, this is a key barrel or lever on the side of the motor housing, typically covered by a weatherproof cap. The manual release key should have been supplied with the gate system at installation.
Insert the key and turn it to the released position — usually a quarter or half turn. You will feel or hear a click as the motor disengages from the drive mechanism. The gate leaf is now free to be pushed by hand. When power is restored, return the key to the engaged position before using the remote.
How to Manually Release an Underground Motor
Underground motors are mounted beneath the gate post cap. The key barrel is typically located on the top of the post cap or on the side of the motor housing just below ground level, accessible through a small cover plate.
Insert the electric gate manual release key into the barrel and turn as indicated. The gate should immediately become free to be pushed by hand. For sliding gates, the manual release is usually located on the motor casing itself. Check that the track is clear of debris before pushing.
If the manual release key will not turn, if the gate cannot be moved by hand after releasing the motor, or if the release mechanism appears damaged, do not force it. This situation requires an engineer immediately — contact us for emergency electric gate repair in London by leaving your phone number in the form above and our team will arrange rapid assistance.
