The Importance of Garage Door Sensors

Modern garage doors typically have two major electric components. One of them is the electric operator and the other is a pair of safety sensors. Most people know that the sensors are necessary for preventing serious accidents, but do not have a clear idea of how they work and how they should be properly maintained. Read on to find out everything you need to know about these important system components. This will help you with improving the safety of your family even further.

How They Work

It is easy to understand how sensors work. They are installed to the sides of the door at a set distance above the ground. The distance is usually between 10 and 12 inches, but there may be variations due to the specifics of the garage and of the door system. The sensors are set up so that they face each other. This is an important condition for their operation.

Each sensor produces a light beam. When the two beams catch each other, the safety system will work properly. If there is obstruction to one of the beams, the garage door opener will stop working automatically. As a result, the person who is under the door will not get hurt. Similarly, if there is an object under the door, it will not suffer damage. While this effect is desirable, it can sometimes be caused by obstruction to one of the sensors. In such cases, proper inspection has to be provided.

It is also possible for the sensors to get misaligned. In such cases, they will stop working since the two opposite beams will not catch each other. The problem is fixed with simple alignment of the two units.

Providing Maintenance and Repair

The main aspect of the garage door's sensors maintenance is cleaning. The two units and their photo eyes in particular have to be cleaned on a regular basis. You should use a soft dry or slightly damp cloth for removing the dirt which has accumulated on top.

Testing is equally important. You simply need to open the door fully and engage its closing. Then you need to wave a broom or another long and thin object in front of the sensors. If the door stops moving and reverses, then the sensors work fine.

When these devices have evident physical damage or fail the test, they have to be repaired immediately. If repair is not possible, then replacement will be necessary.