Low energy automatic swing doors open a hinged door slowly and gently at the press of a button, a wave or a remote, so the door can be used safely by people with limited strength or mobility without the full sensor set-up of a busy commercial entrance. Coetz™ supplies the MCW-100 as a low-energy swing door operator, installed by MC Automations, our parent company. This guide explains what low energy means, where these doors work and what they cost.
In this guide
What low energy means
A full-power automatic door opens fast for heavy traffic and relies on sensors to protect people. Low energy automatic swing doors open more slowly and with less force, usually only when someone asks them to by pressing a button. Because the door moves gently and on demand, low energy automatic swing doors suit places where people use it one at a time.
The MCW-100 has adjustable opening and closing speed, an adjustable opening angle from 60° to 110°, a hold-open time of 0 to 20 seconds, and an opening time of 3 to 7 seconds per 90°. A technician sets these at commissioning to suit the door and the people using it.
Where low energy automatic swing doors work
- Accessible toilets and changing rooms, opened by a push button.
- Clinic, practice and office doors used by patients and visitors.
- Apartment and residential entrances.
- Retirement homes and care facilities.
- Private homes for a family member with limited mobility. See automatic sliding doors for homes.
How they are opened
Low energy automatic swing doors can be opened in several ways:
- Push button, fixed or wireless, at a comfortable height.
- Push and go: a gentle push on the door starts the operator.
- Remote control.
- Access control: a card or code reader with an electric lock.
Safety sensor inputs let a sensor be added where the door swings into a busy space. See automatic door activation methods.
MCW-100 specification
| Item | MCW-100 |
|---|---|
| Door width | Up to 1 200 mm |
| Door weight | Up to 150 kg |
| Motor | 55 W brushless DC |
| Opening angle | 60°–110°, adjustable |
| Hold-open time | 0–20 seconds |
| Power | AC 100–240 V |
| Opening direction | Inward or outward, push-arm or pull-arm |
| Paired doors | Master/slave control, subject to configuration |
Door width and weight are linked, so a door near the limits runs at reduced speed. The operator is rated IP21, so mount it where it is sheltered from direct rain.
Prices
For low energy automatic swing doors, the MCW-100 is R15 900 per operator excluding VAT, at the time of writing (October 2026), including accessories such as sensors, push buttons, remotes and electric locks. Installation is included in Gauteng and quoted per project elsewhere. Final pricing is confirmed in a written quotation after the door is assessed. See automatic door installation cost.
Paired doors
Where a doorway has two leaves, two MCW-100 operators can run them together under master/slave control, subject to system configuration. This suits double doors into a hall, clinic or apartment lobby. Each leaf still has to fall within the width and weight limits, and the arms are set so the leaves open and close in the right order.
Servicing
Service the operator every six months. The technician checks the arm fixings, opening force, speeds and push buttons, and re-checks the safety settings. See automatic door safety. The MCW-100 has a stated service-life test of 2,000,000 cycles. In Gauteng, call-outs are attended within 24 hours.
Accessibility
The MCW-100 platform is designed for barrier-free use by disabled users and children. Accessibility requirements are always confirmed per project; a supplier’s product description is not a compliance certificate. Read wheelchair accessible doors for planning an accessible entrance, and see the South African Bureau of Standards for the national standards framework.
Planning low-energy swing doors
- Check the door: width, weight, hinges and condition.
- Choose push-arm or pull-arm, and inward or outward opening.
- Place the push buttons where a wheelchair user can reach them.
- Plan power at the head of the door.
- Decide on locking and access control.
Low energy automatic swing doors: frequently asked questions
What is a low energy automatic door?
A door that opens slowly and gently, usually on demand from a push button, so it is safe for people using it one at a time.
Is the MCW-100 a low-energy operator?
Yes. Coetz™ supplies the MCW-100 as a low-energy swing door operator.
Can it automate my existing door?
Often, for suitable aluminium, timber, metal or glass doors up to 1 200 mm wide and 150 kg. A site assessment confirms it.
How much does it cost?
R15 900 per operator excluding VAT, including accessories, installed in Gauteng.
What warranty does it carry?
Two years, subject to the written terms. Service it every six months.
Coetz™, Unit 2, 84 Ridge Road, Laser Park, Johannesburg. Call 010 412 0062, WhatsApp 076 613 4418 or use our contact page.
Manual swing doors: see aluminium swing doors.
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