Intercoms for Electric Gates

An intercom is the best way to deal with visitors. Someone presses the button at the gate, you see or hear who it is, and you decide whether to let them in – without walking down the drive.

Types of gate intercom

Audio intercoms. Talk to the visitor through a handset or speaker in the house. Simple and affordable.

Video intercoms. See the visitor on a screen in the house before you answer. My usual recommendation – being able to see who's there makes a real difference.

Smartphone (Wi-Fi or app) intercoms. The call comes through to your phone, so you can see and speak to visitors and open the gate wherever you are. Great for deliveries.

GSM intercoms. These use a mobile SIM to ring your phone. Useful where there's no Wi-Fi at the gate or for longer distances, and common on commercial and farm gates.

Wired or wireless?

• Wired intercoms are the most reliable and are best fitted when cables can go in the same trench as the gate's power cable.
• Wireless and GSM systems save digging where running a cable isn't practical, but depend on a good signal.

If you're having new gates fitted, I always suggest laying a spare duct to the gate – it makes adding or upgrading an intercom later much easier.

Features worth having

• a camera that copes with low light and our rain
• a keypad built into the panel, for regular visitors
• multiple indoor screens or app access for everyone in the house
• a record of who called while you were out

Cameras and privacy

If an intercom camera captures the street or next door, you need to use it in line with UK GDPR. The ICO has clear guidance for homeowners.

Intercom not working?

I also repair and upgrade gate intercoms. See gate intercom problems.

Call, text or WhatsApp Adrian on 07855 781433.

Questions people ask me