Opening side-hung windows with electric drives
In most cases, side-hung windows are opened with vertically mounted chain drives. A chain extends and pushes the sash inward or outward. The chain length plays a decisive role here for the maximum opening width (or the opening angle). The opening width corresponds to the chain length, the angle can be calculated:
An example for a window with a chain drive, stroke length 600mm and a sash width of 1080mm:
Of course, there are a few things to consider here, too, that you don't necessarily think of right away in advance:
- The drive requires space on the frame. If the available space is 30mm, for example, but the drive is 40mm wide, installation becomes impossible.
- Depending on the sash width, the drive must be able to rotate with it. The smaller the sash width, the higher the probability that swivel brackets will be required. Each chain has a minimum bending radius. If the sash is wider than this minimum bending radius, brackets must be used to allow the drive to rotate.
- Not every chain drive is approved by the manufacturer for vertical mounting on swing sashes. Most are designed for horizontal mounting.
If you are unsure and need help choosing, why not send us an email, with pictures if possible, and the completed checklist for pivot windows.
We also retrofitted a commercial window with turn/tilt hardware with a chain drive. The handle was disassembled and closed with a handle hole cover.
What else you should know:
- The window is "only" held closed by the drive, the window's own locking mechanism is disabled because the window handle is virtually set to "open".
- The drives are also available as 24V SHE drives.
- If the windows are very high, two drives should be installed. These can be electrically synchronized (depending on the type) or can also be installed in a housing as a tandem drive.
You would like to equip your side-hung window with a drive? Click through our product finder and find the right drive for your application.
