How Garage Door Opener Sensors Work

Garage door sensors prevent the garage door from closing if there s something in the way.

How garage door opener sensors work.

Some models are advertised to be universal which means a specified unit will be compatible with garage door openers associated with names such as liftmaster chamberlain craftsman and others. Garage door sensors utilize a photo eye sensor and a beam of infrared light that goes between the two units. As long as the beam isn t interrupted the door will open or close normally. The units are placed near the ground on either side of the garage door.

The sensors are normally about 4 inches above the ground. All garage door sensors work the same way and serve the same purpose. Two sensors are installed at the bottom of your garage door preferably 6 above the floor. In general garage door sensors block the door from closing if there is an object nearby.

This precaution ensures that the door doesn t close when your car is in the doorway. If the beam of light is interrupted while the garage door is closing the door will stop and rise back up. In turn the electric motor engages a track and pulley system which then opens or closes your garage door. The sensors are located low on each side of the garage door and the 2 beams meet performing a connection.

If the sensor doesn t receive the beam emitted by its opposite number the door won t close. If your sensors or garage door motor is blinking or your door doesn t close it s a sign you could have faulty sensors. This is why both sensors must face each other. The infrared beam from the garage door opener sensors isn t able to be seen by human eyes.

Do both garage sensors need to be green. The machine kicks in to arrest the door s motion or to make adjustments if a door isn t opening or closing completely. Garage door sensors work by shooting a beam of infrared light across the entrance of your garage to the sensor on the other side. The infra red sensors that facilitate your garage door opening system are placed on either side of your garage door doors and they stand approximately six inches off of the ground.

When the device detects any person or object in the path of a closing garage door it signals the motor to stop the downward action and switch the motion into reverse to stop the obstacle being crushed. They do this by using an electric eye sensor that crosses the doorway. One of the sensors known as the sending sensor emits an infrared signal and the other sensor which is the receiving sensor must receive that signal. Garage door sensors protect your family possessions and pets by not allowing the heavy garage door to close if there is anything in the glide path.

The force of the door s motion can also be adjusted so the door stops moving. The same mechanism kicks in when other objects are placed near the door too.