BD Loops BD-RL-52-40 6 ft x 20 ft Direct Burial Reverse Loop / Safety Loop with 40 ft Lead-In
The BD Loops BD-RL-52-40 6 ft x 20 ft Direct Burial Reverse Loop / Safety Loop with 40 ft Lead-In is a preformed inductance loop for vehicle detection in automatic gate and access control installations. It gives installers a fixed 6 ft x 20 ft loop footprint with a factory-built 40 ft lead-in, so the loop can be placed in the driveway subbase and brought back to a loop detector without building a loop from loose wire on the job. This style is commonly selected before concrete is poured, under asphalt, under pavers, in gravel roads, or in dirt-road applications where a direct burial loop is the better choice than a saw-cut retrofit loop. The loop is used with a separate loop detector to sense the metal mass of a vehicle and then signal the gate operator or access-control equipment. Correct loop size, lead-in routing, detector setup, and placement are important because reverse/safety, exit/free-exit, and shadow loop positions all serve different functions in a gate system.
BD Loops direct burial loops are popular with gate installers because the loop shape and lead-in are already built, protected, and ready for placement before the roadway surface is finished. This reduces field assembly time and helps avoid common problems such as poorly formed loop corners, unprotected lead-in runs, or buried splices. For reliable operation, the loop should be matched to the vehicle path, driveway width, gate type, loop detector settings, and the distance back to the operator or detector cabinet.
Compatible With
This BD-RL-52-40 loop may be used with compatible inductive loop detector modules and gate/access-control systems that accept a vehicle loop input. Common applications include residential slide gates, commercial slide gates, single swing gates, dual swing gates, barrier gate operators, parking control systems, gated community entrances, controlled driveway entrances, and access-control lanes. It is commonly paired with loop detectors from BD Loops-compatible installations, Reno A&E / EDI-style detectors, EMX detectors, NorthStar detectors, Diablo Controls detectors, LiftMaster/Chamberlain access-control detector inputs, DoorKing detector inputs, Linear/OSCO gate operators, All-O-Matic gate operators, Viking Access gate operators, Nice Apollo gate operators, HySecurity operators, FAAC operators, and other systems when the loop detector, voltage, socket, harness, and control-board input are correct. The loop is not a stand-alone safety device and does not replace monitored photo eyes, monitored edges, or other required entrapment protection.
The RL designation is commonly used by BD Loops for direct burial loops with 40 ft of lead-in. This version is commonly selected for reverse loop or safety loop positions close to the gate opening where the detector enclosure and loop footprint are within the available lead length. It may also be used as an exit loop when the application and wiring layout call for the same size and lead length.
- Commonly used for reverse loop, safety loop, and close-to-gate direct burial layouts.
- May be used with slide gate, swing gate, barrier gate, parking, and driveway access systems when connected to the proper loop detector.
- Compatible with many loop detector brands because the loop connects to the detector circuit, not directly as a universal plug-in operator part.
- Verify lead-in length, conduit path, loop detector input, and control-board wiring before ordering.
Features & Specifications
| Manufacturer | BD Loops |
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| Product Type | Preformed direct burial reverse loop or safety loop |
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| Part Number | BD-RL-52-40 |
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| Loop Size | 6 ft x 20 ft |
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| Loop Perimeter | 52 ft |
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| Lead-In Length | 40 ft |
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| Application | reverse/safety detection |
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| Compatible System Type | Automatic gate operators, access-control systems, parking controls, and vehicle detector inputs when used with a compatible loop detector |
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| Wire / Construction | Preformed direct burial inductance loop with protected lead-in assembly |
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| Installation Surface | Concrete pours, asphalt paving, gravel roads, dirt roads, and under pavers when installed using direct burial methods |
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| Detector Required | Yes. A separate loop detector is required for the loop circuit to operate. |
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| Notes | Verify loop size, lead-in path, detector type, input wiring, and required safety devices before ordering. |
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Also Known As / Related Part Numbers
Common searches and related BD Loops references include:
Related numbers may identify the same loop size with a different lead-in length, dashed/no-dash search format, or a related BD Loops direct burial family item. Always match the actual loop size and lead-in length needed for the job.
Technician Note
For gate automation, the loop layout matters as much as the part number. Reverse loops, exit loops, and shadow loops are placed in different areas and wired to different inputs. A loop that is too small, buried too deep, installed under too much metal, or connected to the wrong detector input can cause missed vehicles, false detections, or unsafe gate behavior.
Before Ordering Checklist
- Confirm the required loop footprint is 6 ft x 20 ft.
- Confirm the lead-in route can be handled with a 40 ft lead-in without adding a buried splice.
- Confirm whether the job needs an exit loop, reverse/safety loop, shadow loop, or more than one loop.
- Confirm the loop detector brand, socket or harness, operating voltage, and gate operator input type.
- Confirm the loop will be installed using direct burial methods, not a standard saw-cut retrofit slot.
Professional Advisory
Vehicle loops are part of the gate detection system and should be installed by someone familiar with loop placement, detector programming, and current gate safety requirements. Do not use a loop as a substitute for required monitored photo eyes, monitored safety edges, or other entrapment protection devices. If the gate moves unpredictably, closes on vehicles, or has missing safety devices, have the system checked by a qualified gate technician.
Important Ordering Warnings
- RL and EL part numbers do not mean the loop function is electrically different; the designation is tied to the BD Loops direct burial family and lead-in length.
- Lead-in length should be long enough to reach the detector cabinet without a buried splice.
- Direct burial loops are not the best choice for every saw-cut retrofit application.
- Loop detector compatibility, socket style, wiring, and frequency settings must be handled separately from the loop itself.
Product Questions
What is the BD-RL-52-40 loop used for?
The BD-RL-52-40 is a BD Loops preformed direct burial reverse loop or safety loop used with an inductive loop detector in automatic gate, access control, and vehicle detection systems. It is commonly used where a 6 ft x 20 ft loop footprint and 40 ft lead-in fit the driveway layout.
Will this 6 ft x 20 ft BD Loop work with my gate operator?
The loop itself connects to a separate loop detector, not directly to every control board. BD Loops direct burial loops may be used with slide, swing, barrier, and access-control systems when the correct loop detector, wiring, and input setup are used. Match the loop type, lead length, and detector wiring to the job layout.
Why is this reverse/safety loop supplied with a 40 ft lead-in?
BD Loops RL part numbers are commonly used for direct burial loops with a 40 ft lead-in. The 40 ft lead is often suitable for reverse or safety loop positions near the gate opening, but the final length should be checked against the operator location and conduit path.
Can BD-RL-52-40 be installed under asphalt, concrete, pavers, or gravel?
Yes, this direct burial loop is intended for direct burial style installations such as concrete pours, asphalt paving, gravel roads, dirt roads, or under pavers when the correct BD Loops installation method is followed. It is not the preferred product for a standard saw-cut retrofit in an existing roadway.
Is BD-RL-52-40 the same as a saw-cut loop?
No. This is a preformed direct burial loop. Saw-cut applications normally use a saw-cut loop designed for a narrow saw slot and loop sealant. Direct burial loops are better suited before paving, during concrete work, in gravel, or under pavers where the loop can be buried in the subbase.
