Industrial Sliding Gate Motors: Centsys D10 and D20 vs FAAC 844 — Which Is Right for Your Site?

What Makes a Sliding Gate Motor "Industrial"?

Not every gate motor is built for every gate. Residential motors you'd install on a standard suburban driveway are typically rated up to 400 kg, designed for 30 to 50 cycles per day, and priced for light-to-moderate use. Install one on a warehouse loading dock or a school's main entrance, and you'll be replacing it within 12 months.

Industrial sliding gate motors are a different class entirely. The criteria that define the category are straightforward:

• Weight rating: 500 kg and above, typically 800 kg to 2,000 kg for heavy commercial and industrial applications
• Duty cycle: the percentage of each hour the motor can run continuously. An 80–100% duty cycle means the gate can open and close all day without the motor overheating. A 40–45% duty cycle is appropriate for medium-intensity use
• IP rating: IP44 minimum for outdoor commercial exposure; IP54 preferred on exposed or coastal sites
• Cycle-rated motor: commercial motors are engineered and cycle-rated for their rated daily operation count. Exceeding that rating on an under-specced motor is a premature failure guarantee

The Centsys D10 SMART, D20 SMART and FAAC 844 all sit firmly in the industrial category. What separates them is where each motor sits within that category.

For buyers who are ready to purchase, the gate kits and bundles collection includes bundled hardware packages for each motor.

Centsys D10 SMART: Specs and Best Use Cases

The Centsys D10 SMART is the top of the residential Centsys range and the entry point into true industrial sliding gate automation. It's the motor we'd specify for medium-weight commercial gates at schools, strata complexes, council facilities, and warehouse entries where the gate doesn't need to open more than 9 m wide.

Key specifications:

The D10 SMART runs on a 24V DC system driven by a die-cast aluminium gearbox coupled to a high-torque DC motor. It opens a 4 m gate at up to 26 m/min, quick enough for a commercial access point, without the noise and vibration of older AC induction motors. Battery backup is standard, not optional: if mains power fails, the gate keeps operating.

The SMART ecosystem adds in-app diagnostics, real-time gate status alerts, and installer-level configuration from a mobile phone, useful for facilities managers who need to monitor and adjust gate behaviour remotely.

View the Centsys D10 Industrial Bundle →

Centsys D20 SMART: Specs and Best Use Cases

The D20 SMART is what you specify when the D10 hits its limits. Same SMART ecosystem, same 24V DC battery-backed architecture, but with twice the weight capacity and the pulling power to match.

Key specifications:

The D20 opens a 4 m gate at up to 18 m/min. It's slightly slower than the D10 because it needs more torque, but that's the trade-off when you're moving a gate that weighs as much as a car. Battery capacity can be expanded beyond the standard 2 x 7.2Ah configuration for sites requiring longer power-failure autonomy.

Where the D20 earns its place is on large-span industrial entries; transport depots where B-doubles need to clear the gate opening, rural industrial estates with wide stockyard entries, large commercial properties with oversized gates. If your gate needs to open beyond 9 m or weighs more than 1,000 kg, the D20 is the correct Centsys motor.

FAAC 844: Specs and Best Use Cases

The FAAC 844 is a different engineering philosophy to the Centsys SMART range. Where Centsys runs on 24V DC with battery-backed reliability, the FAAC 844 is a 240V AC asynchronous single-phase motor; it's oil-bath lubricated, built for semi-intensive heavy industrial use, and rated to move gates that most other motors won't touch.

Key specifications:

The 844 is oil-bath lubricated for efficient heat dissipation. This design supports a 70% duty cycle and requires less servicing under sustained use. The built-in E781 control board handles magnetic travel limits and encoder positioning. It is a reliable, no-frills industrial workhorse: no app, no smart features, no battery backup, just 240V mains driving a 650W motor through a 1:30 reduction gearbox.

One important note for Australian buyers: the FAAC 844 requires a 240V mains connection at the gate location, which must be installed by a licenced electrician in all Australian states. The cable run from your switchboard to the motor needs to be in the planning budget before you order.

View the FAAC 844 Industrial Bundle →

Centsys D10 / D20 SMART vs FAAC 844: A Direct Comparison

How to Choose: A Practical Decision Guide

For a broader look at the gate motor market, including residential and swing gate options, see our best sliding and swing gate motors guide for 2026.

What's Included in Each Industrial Bundle?

Powered Gates Australia bundles each motor with hardware that is rated to match the motor's weight and cycle capacity. These are the same hardware commercial gate fabricators specify on new industrial installations.

The hardware difference is important, because a premium motor paired with underrated wheels will develop lateral play as the wheels wear, causing the gate to ride off the track. The BOSS and IBFM wheel sets in these bundles are specified because they match the cycle and load ratings of the motors they're paired with.

Browse all gate kits and bundles →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Centsys D10 and D20 SMART?+

Gate weight and opening width. The D10 SMART handles gates up to 1,000 kg in openings from 5 m to 9 m wide. The D20 SMART doubles the weight capacity to 2,000 kg for wider openings from 10 m to 15 m. Both run on the same 24V DC SMART ecosystem with battery backup, MyCentsys app compatibility, and Hall Effect obstacle detection. Choose by gate weight first. If your gate is under 1,000 kg, the D10 is the right motor. If it's heavier, the D20 is the step up.

How much weight can an industrial sliding gate motor handle?+

In this comparison: the Centsys D10 SMART handles up to 1,000 kg, the Centsys D20 SMART up to 2,000 kg, and the FAAC 844 up to 1,800 kg. Industrial motors begin where residential motors end, typically at 500 kg and above. For gates approaching or exceeding a tonne, always confirm the weight with your gate fabricator before selecting a motor.

Does the FAAC 844 require a licenced electrician to install?+

Yes. The FAAC 844 runs on 240V single-phase mains power. In all Australian states, a licenced electrician must install and sign off a 240V mains connection at the gate location. This includes the cable run from the switchboard to the motor mounting point. Factor this into your budget when comparing the FAAC 844 against 24V DC motors. The FAAC motor itself may cost less than the D20 SMART, but the electrical installation adds cost that a 24V DC system avoids in most cases.

Can the Centsys D10 or D20 SMART be controlled from a phone app?+

Yes. Both motors are compatible with the MyCentsys Pro app via a Wi-Fi module. The app gives installers access to limit setting, speed configuration, auto-close timers, and real-time diagnostics. Users receive gate status alerts and can trigger the gate remotely. The FAAC 844 does not offer smart connectivity.

What sliding gate hardware is included in the bundle?+

The Centsys industrial bundle includes BOSS Double Rebate Bearing Gate Wheels, heavy-duty steel-core nylon gear rack, BOSS Square Post Guide Rollers, and heavy-duty sliding gate track. The FAAC 844 bundle includes IBFM 140mm recessed dual-bearing wheels, gear rack, heavy-duty gate track, and guide rollers. Neither bundle includes a concrete motor pad, electrical cable, conduit, or the gate frame itself.

How do I measure my gate to choose the right motor?+

Three measurements: gate width (post to post, including the track clearance needed for the motor mounting), gate weight (ask your gate fabricator, or calculate from material type and dimensions, steel runs approximately 15–25 kg per metre depending on profile), and daily cycle count (count all users across a full day, multiply by 2 for open and close). Take those three numbers to the decision guide above, or contact our team and we'll confirm the right motor from your specs.