Motorised Projection Screens

Quick Answer: A Motorised Projection Screen is a roller screen whose fabric is lowered and raised by an electric motor inside the roller tube, operated from a wall switch or, in many designs, a remote control. A motorised projection screen suits large or high-ceilinged rooms where a pull-down screen would be out of reach.

Electric Operation for Larger Rooms

In a tubular-motor screen the motor sits inside the roller itself. Adjustable limit switches stop the fabric at the fully raised and fully lowered positions, so the drop can be set to suit the room during installation. Once set, the screen comes down to the same height every time, which keeps the image aligned with a ceiling-mounted projector without adjustment. The control method supplied, whether wall switch, remote or a trigger link to the projector, should be settled with the order.

Motorised screens make most sense where the case is mounted high, as in auditoria, assembly halls, lecture theatres and large laboratories with raised ceilings, or where a screen is lowered many times a day. They need a mains power point near the case and, in most buildings, installation by an electrician. The fabric is a roller fabric, like that of a manual projection screen; where perfect flatness matters, a tab-tensioned design such as the tab tension projection screen keeps the sides taut.

Specifications

Installation and Use

• Have the power connection and fixing done by a qualified electrician, following the screen maker’s instructions.
• Keep the drop path clear of lights, furniture and pinned displays; a motor will not stop for an obstruction unless the design includes that feature.
• Do not pull the fabric by hand; let the motor move it.
• Switch off at the supply before any cleaning or adjustment of the case.

Applications

• School assembly halls and auditoria with a projector mounted high on the ceiling.
• College lecture theatres, where the screen is lowered for every class.
• Conference and board rooms that want the screen hidden when not in use.
• Large laboratories or demonstration rooms with high ceilings.

Why Choose LabEquip

Motorised screens are specified for halls, lecture theatres and conference rooms when a school or college fits out a new building. LabEquip supplies them within the General Lab Products range; send the room dimensions and mounting height through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What power supply does a motorised screen need?

It needs a mains power point close to the screen case. The voltage and connection method depend on the model, so the electrician fitting it should follow the screen maker’s instructions and local wiring rules.

Can the screen lower automatically when the projector is switched on?

Some motorised screens accept a low-voltage trigger signal from the projector, so the screen drops and rises with it. This needs a projector with a trigger output and a screen with a matching input, and it is set up during installation.

What happens if the power fails with the screen down?

The screen stays where it is until power returns, because the motor holds the roller. Do not force the fabric up by hand; wait for power or follow any manual release procedure in the maker’s instructions.

How are the stopping positions set?

Tubular motors have adjustable upper and lower limit switches. The installer sets them so the screen stops fully rolled up in its case and at the correct drop for the projector.

Is a motorised screen noisy?

Tubular motors make a low hum only while the screen is moving. In quiet rooms, mount the case securely so that vibration is not carried into the ceiling.

When is a manual screen enough instead?

In a normal classroom where the case can be reached easily and the screen is lowered a few times a day, a manual pull-down screen does the job without wiring. Motorised screens earn their place in high or large rooms and where the screen is used constantly.

Last Updated: September 2026