Invisible once fitted, the tubular motor slides directly inside the shutter's winding tube. It is the most widespread motorisation on standard-sized shop metal shutters.
How does it work?
The motor is fixed at one side of the box; its drive ring turns the tube, which winds the curtain. Two limit switches (mechanical or electronic) define the top and bottom positions. A built-in brake holds the shutter at rest, and an emergency crank takes over during a power cut.
The advantages of tubular motors
- Compactness: no lateral bulk, ideal when the box is narrow
- Quietness: more discreet than a side chain motor
- Contained cost: at equal torque, it is the most economical motorised option
- Easy replacement: the motor slides out of the axle without removing the whole shutter
Choosing the right torque
Torque (in Nm) is calculated from the curtain's weight and the tube's diameter. Orders of magnitude: 80 to 120 Nm for a standard shopfront, 140 to 230 Nm for a wide shutter or heavy solid slats. Beyond that, or for very intensive use, a central or side motor becomes preferable.
Its limits
Tubular motors dislike very heavy curtains and industrial duty cycles: undersized, they overheat and wear quickly. Our technicians size, install and replace tubular motors of all brands throughout Île-de-France, with a free quote.