Short answer: The motor for an aluminium roller shutter is chosen as either a tubular motor or a central motor according to the curtain weight, the opening size and how often it is used each day. Thanks to the lightweight slats, a smaller motor is often sufficient. Remote controls, key switches and Wi-Fi modules are used for control, while photocells, safety edges and obstacle detection are used for safety.
One of the biggest advantages of an aluminium roller shutter is its light weight; however, this advantage only turns into real convenience and long service life when it is paired with the right motor and automation set-up. An underpowered motor loses performance over time, while an overpowered and incorrectly adjusted motor places unnecessary load on the slats and safety equipment. In this article we explain step by step how to choose the motor type, control options and safety equipment for an aluminium roller shutter.
Which motor types are used in aluminium roller shutters?
Pack Door aluminium roller shutter systems use two drive types: the tubular motor and the central motor. Both provide motorised operation, but their positioning and the scenarios they suit are different.
Tubular motor
A tubular motor is installed inside the shutter's barrel. It takes up no extra space in the box, runs quietly and performs efficiently with lighter curtains. It is widely preferred for medium-sized openings such as pharmacies, boutiques, office entrances and residential garages. In applications that require access from outside, it should be planned together with a key-operated emergency release solution.
Central motor
A central motor is mounted externally on the barrel and can carry wider, heavier curtains. It stands out for wide shopfront openings, jewellery shop applications using thick-walled extruded slats, and entrances that are opened and closed frequently. During a power cut it can be operated with a chain or crank manual override mechanism.
| Criterion | Tubular motor | Central motor |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Inside the barrel | On the barrel, externally mounted |
| Suitable curtain | Light and medium-sized aluminium curtain | Wide openings, thick-walled extruded slats |
| Operating character | Quiet, compact | Powerful, suited to intensive use |
| Typical use | Pharmacy, boutique, residential garage, office | Wide shopfront, jewellery shop, high-traffic entrance |
| Power cut | Key-operated emergency release is planned | Chain or crank manual override |
What are the steps for selecting the motor?
- Calculate the curtain weight: The slat type (55 / 77 / 100 mm), whether it is extruded or roll-formed, and the opening size together determine the curtain weight.
- Determine the barrel diameter: The barrel affects the rolled-up diameter of the curtain and the positioning of the motor; if a tubular motor is chosen, the barrel diameter must suit the motor.
- Clarify the frequency of use: A shopfront opened once or twice a day and a service entrance used frequently throughout the day require different motor classes.
- Leave a torque margin: Motor torque is selected according to the curtain weight; a motor working at its limit will develop overheating and slowing problems over time.
- Add an emergency scenario: How the shutter will be opened during a power cut, and who will have access, should be planned from the outset.
- Complete the control and safety equipment: The control method and safety sensors should be chosen to be compatible with the motor.
What control and automation options are available?
An aluminium roller shutter can be used with different levels of control, from basic remote control to smart home scenarios:
- Remote control: The standard method for opening and closing from inside a vehicle or in front of the shop.
- Key switch: A wall-mounted control point that prevents unauthorised use.
- Wi-Fi module and smartphone: Remote opening/closing and status monitoring from a phone app.
- Timer: Automatic opening and closing at set times; for example, a shop that closes at the same time every evening.
- Scenario: Rules for working together with other devices in a smart home or building management system.
When choosing the level of control, the deciding factors are who will use the shutter, at what times and from where. In a small shop run by one person, a remote control and key switch are enough, whereas in a business where several staff members open up at different times, user-based phone access and timer management make things easier. When smart control is used, the remote control and wall switch continue to work; in other words, the technology adds an alternative rather than removing the existing method of use. You can explore similar automation set-ups for window shutters in our article on automatic window shutter motor selection and control scenarios.
Example set-ups by use case
- Pharmacy or boutique: A quiet tubular motor, remote control and key switch; a timer based on closing time. If there is only one entrance, an emergency release accessible from outside.
- Shopping centre or high-street shopfront: A central motor for the wide opening, perforated or vision-panel slats from the KM Vitrin series, a photocell and a safety edge.
- Jeweller and bureau de change: A central motor suited to the weight of thick-walled extruded slats, a key switch, alarm integration and an anti-lift lock.
- Office tower entrance: A Wi-Fi module so building management can monitor it remotely, a timer for opening and closing at set times, and obstacle detection.
Safety equipment
Motorised aluminium roller shutters use photocells, safety edges and obstacle detection. The photocell detects a person or object passing through the opening during closing; the safety edge stops movement when the bottom bar touches an obstacle; and obstacle detection ensures safe closing by sensing an increase in motor load. This equipment is indispensable, particularly on shutters controlled by a timer or remotely by phone, because the area in front of the shutter may not be visible at the moment of closing.
Field note: The problem we encounter most often in the field with smartphone-controlled shutters is a weak Wi-Fi signal at the point on the façade where the shutter box is located. That is why we check the router position and signal level during the site survey. During installation, the limit setting must be done meticulously; because the aluminium curtain is light, if the limit drifts the shutter can over-wind into the box, and if this goes unnoticed in the first weeks it can leave marks on the slats.
Common mistakes
- Choosing an overpowered motor for a light curtain: Adjustment sensitivity decreases and obstacle detection may react late.
- Using a motor with borderline torque: The motor runs at full load constantly, overheats and its life is shortened.
- Using a timer without safety sensors: A person or object may not be detected during automatic closing.
- Not planning for power cuts: In premises with a tubular motor and a single entrance, the business may be left shut if there is no emergency release solution.
- Not checking remote control codes: A lost remote that is not cancelled creates a security gap; a lost remote must be deleted from the system.
Frequently asked questions
Can an aluminium roller shutter be controlled from a smartphone?
Yes. With a Wi-Fi or smart home module it can be opened and closed from a phone app, and timers and scenarios can be defined. The remote control and wall switch can still be used.
Can a manual aluminium roller shutter be converted to motorised operation?
If the barrel structure and curtain weight are suitable, it can be converted to a motorised system. The appropriate motor type and torque are determined by inspecting the existing system during the site survey.
How is an aluminium roller shutter opened during a power cut?
Systems with a central motor use a chain or crank manual override. For systems with a tubular motor, a key-operated emergency release solution is planned for access from outside; the appropriate method is determined during the site survey according to the motor type.
Conclusion and next step
The right motor for an aluminium roller shutter is chosen by evaluating the curtain weight, frequency of use and emergency scenario together. The level of control can be extended from a remote control to a smartphone, but in every scenario photocells, safety edges and obstacle detection must be part of the system. To plan how the shutter will look on the façade, take a look at our article on aluminium roller shutter colour options and architectural harmony. For technical details you can visit our aluminium roller shutter page, and to plan the motor and automation set-up together, you can submit a free site survey request.
