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Shield Gate Repair

Swing gate operator

Linear SW Series (SWR, SWC, SWD) Swing Gate Operator Repair in Dallas–Fort Worth

We repair Linear SWR, SWC and SWD pad-mounted swing gate operators with the APeX controller. Typical calls are a gate locked out with a continuous alarm after two reversals, an SWD that quit during an outage with En 05, or a motor that hums while the arm stays put.

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  • Licensed & Insured
  • 16+ Years Experience
  • Open 24/7
  • Residential & Commercial

Is this a Linear SW Series?

Linear's SW Series operators sit on a concrete pad or post inside the gate, under a black or tan molded plastic cover with a small rain cap, an access door and an exterior reset button. A steel crank arm comes off a vertical output shaft on top and connects through a second arm to a plate on the gate. That crank-and-link arm, rather than a straight actuator tube, is the quickest identifier.

The model is on the label inside: SWR (residential, AC), SWC (commercial, AC) or SWD (DC with battery backup). Lift the hinged controller and you will see the APeX board, with a two-character display, a column of named indicator LEDs such as MAX RUN, COMM LINK and MAINT ALERT, and slots for plug-in loop detectors. SWD models also have batteries in the chassis and solar panel terminals on the board.

  • Molded black or tan cover with a rain cap and a lockable access door
  • Exterior reset button on the cover
  • Crank arm on a vertical output shaft, linked to a plate on the gate
  • APeX controller with a two-digit display and labeled indicator LEDs
  • Model label reading SWR, SWC or SWD (for example SWR-211, SWC-1, SWD-211)

Also labelled: SWR, SWC, SWD, SWR-211, SWR-221, SWC-1, SWC-2, SWD-211, APeX controller

SW Series at a glance

SWR-211 / SWR-221
1/2 HP, 115 V / 230 V; 15 ft, 500 lb; 150 cycles/day
SWC-2
1/2 HP, 115 or 230 V; 17 ft, 600 lb; continuous duty
SWC-1
1 HP, 115 or 230 V; 19 ft, 1,000 lb; continuous duty
SWD-211
1/2 HP DC, 24 VDC battery backup (solar optional); 18 ft, 700 lb; continuous duty
Opening time
11 to 14 seconds
Controller
APeX, UL 325/UL 991, built-in MegaCode radio (40 transmitters)
UL 325
Class I, II, III and IV; ETL listed
Maximum opening angle
Approximately 95 degrees, depending on gate width
Drive
Right-angle gear reducer, 1 in output shaft, optional torque limiter

From Linear’s published documentation. Your unit’s label and manual take precedence.

What your SW Series is doing, and what usually causes it

  • Continuous alarm, gate will not move, display shows En 00

    Usually: Two safety reversals in a row put the controller into entrapment lockout. A real obstruction, a binding hinge, current sensing set too fine for the gate, or a photo eye or edge that is triggering falsely.

    What we do: We press STOP to clear the alarm, disconnect the arm to swing the gate by hand, then check the obstruction LEDs and each safety device before touching the current settings.

  • The motor runs but the arm or gate does not move

    Usually: Linear lists a slipping torque limiter or friction clutch, a broken chain or worn belt, loose setscrews on pulleys or sprockets, or a key fallen out of its keyway.

    What we do: We mark the sprocket and clutch with a grease pen and watch for the lines to separate, then inspect the belt, setscrews and keys.

  • The gate stops partway and the MAX RUN light is on

    Usually: En 01 or En 02: the maximum run timer expired while opening or closing. Often a belt, chain or pulley slipping, or a timer set too short for the gate.

    What we do: We find the drive slip first, and only increase the run time once the gate travels its full arc in normal time.

  • The SWD stopped during a power outage and shows En 05

    Usually: Battery voltage dropped below 21.6 volts with AC off, triggering fail-safe or fail-secure. Linear says the gel-cell batteries should be replaced every year for assured performance.

    What we do: We restore and verify AC, load-test and replace the batteries if needed, check the solar input where fitted, and confirm the power failure mode suits the site.

  • It will not start at all after running a lot

    Usually: The motor thermal overload has tripped after many cycles and resets itself when cool. Otherwise, no power at the distribution panel, or on an SWD reset to factory defaults, a motor type not set back to d2.

    What we do: We check supply voltage and breakers, let the motor cool and test again, and on an SWD confirm motor type and open and close current settings.

  • The gate stays open with our loops and card reader

    Usually: A loop or loop detector sending a false call, a stuck opening or reversing device, or the close limit switch already made so the controller believes the gate is closed.

    What we do: We watch the detector indicators, unplug detectors and reconnect devices one at a time, and check the close limit cam.

  • Limits keep drifting and the gate stops in a slightly different place

    Usually: Linear's troubleshooting points at loose setscrews in the limit cams.

    What we do: We reset and tighten or replace the cam setscrews and re-run fine limit adjustment through the access door.

SW Series down? Tell us what it is doing — we will tell you what it needs.

(214) 735-4314

How the SW Series works — and what that means for repair

Three drives under one cover

Linear built the SW Series as a family. The SWR is the residential version with a 1/2 HP PSC motor, rated in Linear's literature for 15-foot, 500-pound gates and 150 cycles a day. The SWC is the commercial version at 1/2 HP (SWC-2, 17 feet and 600 pounds) or 1 HP (SWC-1, 19 feet and 1,000 pounds), both continuous duty. The SWD swaps the AC motor for a full-time 1/2 HP DC motor running on 24V batteries, rated for 18 feet and 700 pounds, and can be solar charged.

Mechanically they share a right-angle gear reducer, a 1-inch output shaft, pillow block bearings and cam-operated limits reached through the access door. The SWR parts list shows a belt from the motor pulley to a 60:1 reducer. An optional torque limiter can sit in the drive, and Linear notes it ships set light and must be tightened just enough not to slip.

The APeX controller reports the fault by number

Every SW Series operator uses Linear's APeX controller, which Linear describes as UL 325 and UL 991 compliant, with a built-in MegaCode receiver for up to 40 transmitters, plug-in loop detector capability and surge protection. When it locks out it shows an En code and lights the matching LED. En 00 is two safety reversals, which sounds a continuous alarm until STOP is pressed. En 01 and En 02 mean the maximum run timer expired opening or closing. En 03 is a lost comm link between paired dual-gate operators.

The power codes matter most on the SWD. En 05 means the battery fell below 21.6 volts after AC loss and the gate went to its fail-safe or fail-secure position; it will not run until the battery rises above 24 volts. En 07 is low AC voltage at the controller, En 11 a DC motor mismatch, En 12 motor failure, and En 10 an EEPROM problem.

Current sensing, run timers and false stops

Obstruction detection on the SW Series is current sensing set digitally for each direction. Linear tells installers to set it so a light force of roughly 50 to 75 pounds causes a reversal, and warns against setting it high. If the gate stops partway with no visible obstruction, the manual lists current sensing set too low for a stiff gate, a maximum run timer that expired because a belt or chain broke or a pulley slipped, or a false signal from an accessory on an obstruction input.

The factory maximum run time is 99 seconds, and the controller counts cycles toward a maintenance alert that defaults to 10,000 cycles and lights MAINT ALERT when reached.

SWD power failure behavior

On the SWD you choose what happens when AC fails: Fail Safe opens the gate once the battery sags to about 22 volts, Fail Secure closes it, and Open Immediate or Close Immediate act as soon as AC drops. A Low Power Mode shuts accessory power after 60 seconds idle to stretch the battery. A gate that sat open all night after a storm may be doing exactly what it was set to do.

SW Series parts we repair, adjust or replace

A failed part is not a failed operator. These are the components that actually wear or fail on the SW Series, and what we do about each.

  • APeX controller

    Part replaced

    Runs the motor, senses current, stores transmitters, reports En codes, links dual gates.

    Signs it has failed: En 10 EEPROM problem, dead display with power present, damage after a surge, En 09 compatibility between paired units.

  • Motor and run capacitor (SWR, SWC)

    Part replaced

    PSC AC motor; the capacitor starts and runs it.

    Signs it has failed: Hum without rotation, slow start, thermal overload trips.

  • DC motor brushes (SWD)

    Part replaced

    Carry current to the DC motor.

    Signs it has failed: Linear says inspect every 100,000 cycles or yearly; brushes are about 3/4 inch new and must be replaced at 1/2 inch to avoid motor damage.

  • Gel-cell batteries (SWD)

    Part replaced

    Run the operator on DC and through outages.

    Signs it has failed: En 05, En 14, short run time without AC.

  • Belt, pulleys and gear reducer

    Repaired

    Reduce motor speed to arm torque.

    Signs it has failed: Motor runs with no arm movement, squeal, loose setscrews or keys.

  • Torque limiter (optional)

    Adjusted

    Lets the drive slip under excessive load.

    Signs it has failed: Grease-pen marks separate during travel; gate stalls on a normal cycle.

  • Limit cams and switches

    Adjusted

    Set open and closed positions on the output shaft.

    Signs it has failed: Drifting stop points, gate held open because the close limit is made.

  • Crank arm, link arm and gate plate

    Repaired

    Convert shaft rotation into gate swing.

    Signs it has failed: Bent arms after a vehicle hit, loose clamp bolt, jerky motion from poor arm harmonics.

Repair or replace your SW Series? The honest answer

SW Series operators are conventional, parts-listed machines: motors, capacitors, belts, reducers, limits, batteries and the APeX controller are all individually replaceable, and Linear publishes exploded parts diagrams for each model. Repair is usually right. Replacement makes sense when the gate exceeds the model's rating, when an SWR is being worked like a commercial gate, or when a vehicle strike has damaged the chassis and reducer together.

Repair it when

  • En 00 lockouts caused by hinges, sensors or current settings
  • Belt, setscrew, key or torque limiter slip
  • Failed capacitor or motor on SWR and SWC units
  • Batteries and brushes on SWD units
  • A failed APeX controller or plug-in loop detector

Replace or upgrade when

  • An SWR on a gate over 15 feet or 500 pounds, or on an HOA entrance far beyond 150 cycles a day: move to an SWC or SWD
  • A bent output shaft plus damaged reducer and frame after a vehicle hit
  • A site that needs continuous operation through outages on an AC-only SWR or SWC, where an SWD is the upgrade
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How we diagnose and repair a SW Series

  1. Read the APeX display and LEDs

    En code, lit indicators for power, limits, obstruction inputs, MAX RUN and COMM LINK, and cycle count.

  2. Disconnect the arm and move the gate by hand

    With power off, we release the arm so the gate swings freely and check hinges, gate sag and the pad for rotation.

  3. Inspect the drive

    Belt, pulleys, setscrews and keys, torque limiter slip test with grease-pen marks, limit cams, and brushes on SWD units.

  4. Test power and batteries

    Supply voltage and wire run, capacitor on AC models, battery voltage and charge on the SWD.

  5. Check sensors, loops and dual-gate link

    Disconnect and reconnect accessories one at a time, test loop detectors, and verify the comm cable between paired operators.

  6. Quote, repair and set up

    We quote first, order Linear parts by model and serial with the lead time stated, then reset current sensing so a light push reverses the gate and confirm the reset button and alarms work.

Linear warranty on the SW Series

We did not find Linear's current published warranty term for the SW Series. Check the warranty card or literature supplied with the operator, or ask the installing dealer; Nice/Linear lists technical and customer service contacts on linear-solutions.com.

  • Have the model and serial number ready; Linear's parts ordering instructions require both.
  • Linear's manual requires all electrical connections to the power supply to be made by a licensed electrician.

Our warranty on the repair

Every repair is backed by a clear written warranty. No hidden terms and no confusing fine print: what is covered is explained before we begin, and it is separate from whatever Linear covers on the operator itself.

What our warranty covers

The SW Series in Dallas–Fort Worth conditions

Storm outages and the SWD

When a spring thunderstorm takes down power to a subdivision, an SWD rides it out on its batteries until voltage falls below about 22 volts, then opens or closes according to its setting and waits for AC or solar charge. With Linear recommending annual gel-cell replacement, batteries a few summers old are the usual reason an SWD gives up early.

Lightning and the APeX board

The APeX controller has on-board low-voltage surge protection, but long loop lead-ins, dual-gate comm cables and keypad runs across an open entrance still bring strikes in. After a storm we look for En 03 comm link failures between paired operators and dead detector slots as well as a dark display.

Clay soil and pad movement

Linear's manual says anti-rotation legs may be needed where soil can shift or twist the pad. That describes North Texas expansive clay exactly. A pad that has rotated changes the crank arm geometry, the gate works harder, and current sensing starts producing reversals and En 00 lockouts.

Linear SW Series repair across DFW & Surrounding Areas

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Linear SW Series repair questions

How do I clear En 00 on my Linear gate operator?

Press the STOP button or the reset button on the cover. The alarm means the gate reversed twice without reaching a limit, so find the cause first: something in the gate path, a binding hinge, or a safety device triggering falsely.

What does En 05 mean on a Linear SWD?

The battery dropped below 21.6 volts while AC power was off, so the operator went to its fail-safe or fail-secure position and disabled itself. It clears once the battery rises above 24 volts. If AC is back and it persists, the batteries likely need replacing.

Is my Linear SWR strong enough for our gate?

Linear rates the SWR for gates up to 15 feet and 500 pounds and 150 cycles a day. A heavier or longer gate, or a busier entrance, calls for an SWC or SWD. We weigh up the gate and traffic before recommending more than a repair.

My Linear motor runs but the gate does not move. Is the gearbox gone?

Not usually. Linear's own troubleshooting starts with a slipping torque limiter, a broken belt or chain, loose setscrews on pulleys and sprockets, and missing shaft keys. Those are far more common than a failed reducer.

Are Linear gate operators still supported now that Nice owns Linear?

Yes. Nice acquired Nortek Security & Control, which owned the Linear brand, and the Nice/Linear website still lists SW Series swing operators, manuals and technical support.

Are you a Linear dealer?

No. We are an independent, licensed and insured repair company. Linear-specific parts such as APeX controllers are ordered in, and we tell you the lead time before starting.

Request a free estimate for your SW Series

Leave your name and number, and tell us what the gate is doing. A technician will call you back. If the gate is stuck open or shut, calling is faster — someone always answers.

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Or call (214) 735-4314 — someone always answers.

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We answer the phone 24/7. If you are stuck, call and we will talk you through the manual release before anyone arrives. See what counts as a gate emergency.

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