How to Wire a Knox Fire Box Emergency Open Switch to a Patriot Gate Opener

A "Knox Box" or Fire Box Emergency Open Switch allows your local fire department to enter the property in the event of an emergency. This guide covers wiring this device to a Patriot gate opener.

Recommendation: Contact your local fire department to confirm what type of device they prefer, as requirements vary between city departments.

What You Will Need

  • Small flat-head screwdriver
  • Knox Box/Fire Box Emergency Open Switch with 2 wires

Wiring Procedure

The Knox Box/Fire Box will have two or three wires. If it has 3 wires, use only the NO (Normally Open) and Com (Common) wires.

Knox/Fire Box Wire J2 Terminal Pin #
Normally Open (NO) Pin #9
Common (C/Com) Pin #2 or #7

Wire these to the green J2 terminal block at the bottom of the control board.

Testing Procedure

  1. With the gate in the closed position, open/trigger the Knox/Fire Box switch
  2. The gate should open once the box is triggered and remain open as long as the box stays in the triggered position

Troubleshooting

If the gate does not open:

  • Try reversing the wires at the circuit board
  • Swap the wire from J2 pin 9 into J2 pin 2 or 7, and the wire from J2 pin 2 or 7 into J2 pin 9