The barrier is normally open (home position with an angle of 85° or 90°) and closes whenever a rail vehicle approaches the level crossing. The closing command has to be forwarded to the barrier operating mechanism by a control unit so that the level crossing is sealed off. The operating mechanism must be deactivated after 40 seconds if the barrier movement is blocked in any way (overload protection).
The opening command has to be forwarded via the same control unit as soon as the level crossing has been cleared. The barrier arm is held in its upper respectively lower limit position by a holding solenoid (closed-circuit current). The activated holding solenoid ensures that the barrier arm cannot be moved out of its limit position by road users.

The barrier operating mechanism includes a substitute closing capability for safety reasons. Substitute closing is performed by interrupting the closed-circuit current of the holding solenoid. The barrier arm then closes under the force of gravity and a stored-energy spring unit.

Substitute closing can be performed manually if necessary. The drive motor and holding solenoid are deactivated when a latch contact is unlocked by the key, thus allowing the barrier arm to be moved by hand.

A speed control mechanism ensures that the moving components move smoothly, thus generally extending the service life of the barrier.

The barrier operating mechanism is housed in a robust casing of sheet steel designed for rough everyday conditions. Mechanical components are encapsulated and mostly have permanent lubrication, thus reducing the maintenance required for this electromechanical drive unit and making it environmental-friendly. It is also designed for energy-saving operation with a current consumption in operation of not more than 6-9.5 A. The barrier is available with rectangular barrier arms of up to 5m in length and with round barrier arms up to 10m in length. Moreover the barrier arm is available with a triangular aluminium profile. Optionally, individual types of boom lights can be added to the arm. Depending on the customer requirements, arms with weak links can be mounted.  A supply voltage of between 24 and 42V is required.