The quiet alternative for residential gates up to 400 kg

Reinforced nylon with a steel core: exceptionally quiet, lightweight and smooth-running for light residential gates.

When you want your residential sliding gate to run as quietly as the door of a premium car, without the familiar metallic "click-clack" of steel racks, but your gate is light (up to 400 kg) and you do not want to invest in an industrial galvanised rack, the FAAC 30x20 nylon rack (code 490333) is the perfect solution. This is not cheap low-cost plastic but high-strength technical nylon with an integrated steel core, engineered to deliver exceptional quietness, light weight and a service life of 10-12 years on residential gates in standard use.

Why the FAAC nylon rack is different from cheap plastic racks

The FAAC 30x20 nylon rack with its steel core delivers three concrete benefits you will notice every day:

• Absolute quietness: zero metallic noise even with the windows open
  The high-density technical nylon of the FAAC rack completely eliminates the metallic "click-clack" typical of steel racks. When the motor pinion meshes with the nylon teeth, the result is movement three to four times quieter than galvanised steel (<30 dB vs. <35 dB). If your bedroom or living room is close to the gate, the difference is obvious: with the nylon rack you can open the gate at 6:00 in the morning or 11:00 at night without waking anyone or disturbing the neighbours.
• Exceptionally light: 60% lighter than steel
  With 0.8 kg per metre (compared with the 2.5 kg of the 30x12 steel rack), the FAAC nylon rack dramatically reduces the overall weight of the system. This means:

• • Less stress on the gear motor (motor service life increased by 15-20%)

  • Faster, simpler installation (one person can handle 6 metres without difficulty)

  • Reduced structural vibration on the gate and the posts

• Integrated steel core: strength where it matters
  Unlike cheap 100% plastic nylon racks (which distort in the heat and break under high loads), the FAAC 490333 rack incorporates a central hardened steel core which guarantees:

• • Mechanical strength suited to gates up to 400 kg

  • Zero distortion at temperatures up to +50°C

  • Even load distribution across all the teeth.

WHEN TO CHOOSE THE FAAC 490333 NYLON RACK:

✓ Lightweight residential gate: 200-400 kg (aluminium, light iron, reinforced PVC)
✓ Quietness is the absolute priority: Bedroom or living room close to the gate, neighbours sensitive to noise
✓ Standard residential use: 10-30 openings a day (max. 50 openings/day)
✓ Optimised budget: 20-30% saving vs. galvanised steel while keeping FAAC quality
✓ Simplified installation: The reduced weight makes fitting easier, even DIY

WHEN NOT TO CHOOSE THE NYLON RACK (opt for galvanised steel instead):

✗ Gate over 400 kg: Risk of premature wear and broken teeth
✗ Intensive use: Over 50 openings/day (large apartment blocks, businesses)
✗ Extreme temperatures: Areas with winter temperatures below -10°C or summer temperatures above 50°C
✗ Need for a 20+ year service life: Nylon lasts 8-12 years, steel 20-25 years
✗ Coastal or industrial location: Salt spray and aggressive chemicals can degrade nylon
✗ Industrial or commercial gate: The strength of steel is required

Module 4: universal compatibility for nylon too

Like the steel racks, the FAAC 490333 nylon rack also uses module 4 (12.56 mm tooth pitch), the universal standard used by every leading manufacturer: FAAC, CAME, BFT, NICE, BENINCÀ, APRIMATIC, FADINI.

This means:
✓ Fully compatible with every FAAC sliding gate motor (C720, C721, 740, 741, 746C, 844C, etc.)
✓ Compatible with other brands of gear motor fitted with a module 4 pinion
✓ Option to replace an existing steel rack with nylon (where the gate weight allows)
✓ Precise, quiet meshing with every Z12, Z14, Z16, Z20 and Z28 pinion

How long does a FAAC nylon rack last? A realistic look at service life

It is important to be transparent: the FAAC 490333 nylon rack does NOT last as long as galvanised steel. That does not make it a low-quality product. It is an engineering trade-off designed for a specific scenario.