Garage door sensors how does it work

In January , the U. Since then, every electric garage door opener has built-in sensors that prevent the door from closing if there are any obstructions in its path. This prevents damage to cars or other property and injuries or deaths of people and animals. Garage door sensors are small, black boxes located a few inches from the floor on both sides of the garage door. Both sensors typically have indicator lights. One has a green light to indicate that the units are turned on.

Wondering how garage safety sensors work? Put simply, they transform electricity into an infrared beam of light to create an invisible tripwire. One sensor is referred to as the sending unit, and the other is called the receiving unit. When the sensors detect an obstruction, the door automatically stops closing and reverses direction.

Here are two easy ways to determine if your sensors are malfunctioning:. However, make sure to confirm with your manufacturer first! Safety sensors help prevent tragic accidents from happening and you should address any problems with them right away.

For Denver-area garage doors, turn to American Garage Door. Our trained professionals can inspect, diagnose, repair, or replace your garage door safety sensors — and much more. Learn more about our garage door service repair , then request an estimate today!

How do they work? There are a few reasons safety sensors stop working, including: Misaligned photo-eyes Dirty or wet photo-eyes Loose sensor wires Too much sun exposure Check to see that your photo-eyes are aligned first, then clean them to get rid of any dirt, debris, or water that could be blocking them.

Sensors that are well-maintained can last for many years. If you perform no maintenance on them, such as clearing them of debris and tightening screws, they will wear out more quickly. Now that you understand how to check if your garage door sensors are aligned, you can tell if you have a bad sensor or you just need to adjust their positioning. Get the help you need by scheduling a service or contacting us for more information.