Your garage door is more complex than just a door that opens and closes with the push of a button. It is a moving multi part system with a motor that makes all of them move, a wall control panel to operate the door and safety features to protect you. One important safety feature is the photo eyes also called safety sensors.
Safety sensors have became a requirement for garage doors in 1993. Before that a garage door had to hit something on its way down before it would stop and go back up if at all. Safety sensors are small electronic devices install near the bottom of each garage door track. They are wired connected to the opener and if something is placed under the door or passing through while it’s closing they send a signal to the opener which makes the door stop and immediately go back up before hitting it.
How do safety sensors work?
Safety sensors are extra pair of eyes that protect people from getting hurt from a closing garage door and prevent accidents. This sensors are placed about 6” above the ground on each side of the door and face each other in a straight line to create an invisible light beam between them. When you close the garage door the sensors check if the beam is clear and if nothing is in its way the door closes as expected, but if something blocks the beam like a person, a kid or even an object the sensors immediately send a signal to stop the door and reverse it back up.
5 Important Tips To Know About Garage Door Safety Sensors
Keep them clean
Dirt and dust are a real enemy, they can block the beam and make the door act like there is something in its way. Take a soft cloth and clean gently the sensor lenses in order to keep them working properly.
Check their alignment
The sensors have to be perfectly lined up with each other. If they get misaligned the beam, won’t go through and the garage door may not close. Adjust them until the alignment indicator LED light shows they are working usually it is green light.
Look for Obstructions
If the sensors are properly aligned but not working, look for small objects in its way, if the path is clear then it might be the sunlight that is interfering with the sensors. By installing special covers you can easily overcome this issue.
Test them frequently
To make sure the sensors are working properly take an object like a box and place it under the door in the path of the beam and try to close the door. If the door reverses up as it should the sensors are doing their job.
Replace When Necessary
Over time safety sensors wear out or get damaged, so if they stop working replace them right away to prevent accident and to keep your garage door system safe and reliable.
