Garage door sensors may look small and unobtrusive, but they perform a mighty job and are an important safety feature for any home or commercial garage door opener. Designed to work in pairs, they connect via an invisible beam of light that, when shifted, broken, or refracted, will engage an auto stop of any garage door motion.
Preventing the door from closing prevents accidents and injuries that can occur when a person or object is in the way of the door.
Garage door sensors are typically located at the bottom of the door and consist of two parts.
The first part is:
● a transmitter that sends out an infrared beam.
The second part is:
● a receiver that detects the beam and sends a signal to the garage door opener.
If the beam is blocked, the signal is not received, and the door will not close.
Safety, security, and so much more.
In addition to safety, garage door sensors can also be upgraded to help improve the security of your home thanks to innovative app technology.
If the sensors detect intruders, they can trigger an alarm or alert the homeowner. This can help to scare off potential burglars and give you peace of mind.
Finally, garage door sensors can also help to reduce energy costs. If the sensors detect that the door is open, they can turn off the lights and other appliances in the garage. This can help to save money on your energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
Signs and signals.
With so many operating parts all working together to open and close your garage door, when something goes wrong, it can be aggravating and time-consuming for the homeowner when trying to find the exact reason for a malfunctioning automatic garage door so while it is easy to say that if you've noticed that your garage door opener isn't working as it should, it could be a problem in the sensors, it could also be a complete system failure.
To help you quickly troubleshoot this, here are the top 3 surefire signs that indicate a sensor issue.
1. The door won't open or close: If your garage door won't open or close, it could be a sign that the sensors are not working properly. The sensors are responsible for detecting when the door is in the correct position and sending a signal to the opener to open or close the door. If the sensors are not working, the opener won't receive the signal, and the door won't move.
2. The door opens or closes too quickly: If it opens or closes too quickly, it could be a sign that the sensors are not working properly. The sensors detect when the door is in the correct position and send a signal to the opener to open or close the door at the correct speed. If the sensors are not working, the opener won't receive the signal, and the door will open or close too quickly.
3. The door reverses direction: If the door starts to open and suddenly changes direction, it could be a sign that the sensors are not working properly. The sensors are responsible for detecting when the door is in the correct position and sending a signal to the opener to open or close the door. If the sensors are not working, the opener won't receive the signal, and the door will reverse direction.
If you've noticed any of these signs, it's important to have your garage door opener sensors checked by a professional.
So now what?
We've distinguished the problem as most likely stemming from the sensors. If you feel comfortable attempting further troubleshooting steps to safeguard your door until a technician can be on-site, then try this quick strategy.
● First, check to make sure that the sensors are properly aligned. The sensors should be placed at the same height and facing each other. If they are not, adjust them until they take care not to bend the brackets that hold the sensors in place.
● Next, check the wiring. Ensure all wires are connected correctly and there are no loose wires. If there are, tighten them or replace them as needed.
● Finally, check the power source. Ensure the power source is working properly and the sensors are receiving power. If the power source is not working, replace it or contact a professional for assistance.
● Brush away cobwebs, dust, or dirt from the lenses and wipe them with a clean, soft cloth to avoid scratching them.
Suppose the above steps do not resolve the issue. In that case, it may be necessary to have them replaced with the factory name and brand parts and a service call to an experienced technician installation and repair specialist.