ᐅ Underground cable for outdoor electric driveway gate: 3x1.5 mm² or 5x1.5 mm²?

Hello,

we would like to have an electric sliding gate installed in our driveway. Currently, the foundations for this are being laid. The gate manufacturer specified that a NYY-J 5x1.5mm² underground cable must be installed on site.

However, when we built the house, we unfortunately laid a 15m (50 feet) long NYY-J 3x1.5mm² underground cable to the gate.

Wouldn’t that work as well? Or what is the reason for requiring a 5x instead of a 3x cable for the gate motor? I would rather not ask the gate manufacturer, as they will probably insist on 5x1.5.

Kind regards,
Tim

With 5 wires, you have three phases; with 3 wires, only one phase.
If the gate requires three phases, you now have a project-stopping problem.

But it’s a bad idea to only install three wires, as the price difference is about 10 cents per meter.

Maybe you also need 1-2 additional wires for "control." The manufacturer wouldn’t require 5 wires without reason. You should investigate this further, otherwise you could face a bigger problem.

TimB schrieb:
I was reluctant to ask the gate manufacturer because they would probably insist on 5x1.5.

If they do, it’s certainly not to annoy you, but because their system requires it. Make sure to contact them; maybe they can order a different motor/controller.

Hello

I can only imagine that a wire is needed for the control. Three-phase power is obviously not required.
And a wire (in a conduit) is easier to install than a 5 x 1.5 cable. I would also talk to the gate manufacturer before the foundations are set.

Steven

Well, the gate manufacturer is only indirectly involved. The motor manufacturer should be contacted.

But actually, I don't see a problem here. The gate manufacturer can simply obtain or supply a motor that works with 3x1.5 and install the appropriate rack.