Understanding the Mechanisms of Garage Door Safety Sensors

Garage door safety sensors are important to any modern garage door system. They work together to ensure the safe functioning of your garage door, thereby enhancing the overall security of your home. Do you know the different kinds of sensors and why they are essential in keeping your garage and home safe? This blog will look closer at how garage door sensors work. By knowing the basics of garage door sensors, you can keep your garage door system safe and working.

Garage Doors Safety Sensors Brief History

Garage door safety sensors were first introduced in the US in response to a growing number of accidents and injuries caused by garage doors closing on people or objects. In 1993, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) mandated that all new garage door openers sold in the US must have a safety feature to prevent doors from closing if an object or person was in the way. Since then, garage door safety sensors have become a standard feature in most garage door systems, contributing significantly to homes’ and properties’ overall safety and security.

The first type of safety sensor used in garage door systems was photoelectric. This sensor sends a beam of light that detects things in the door’s path. In the event of any obstruction within the beam’s path, the sensor signals the door opener to stop closing the door.

At the start of the 2000s, a new kind of monitor called an “edge sensor” emerged. This sensor can tell if something is in the way by putting pressure-sensitive strips on the bottom part of the garage door. When something touches the strips, they send a signal to the sensor that stops the door from closing.

Most garage door openers today use a combination of photoelectric and edge sensors to ensure the door is safe. Since they were first made, these sensors have come a long way. They greatly reduced the number of accidents and injuries caused by garage doors.

Types of Garage Door Safety Sensors and How They Work

Photoelectric Sensors

Photoelectric sensors emit an invisible beam of light from one sensor to another, usually on either side of the garage door. If an object interrupts the beam, the sensors will detect the obstruction and signal the door opener to stop the door from closing. The sensors must be aligned properly and kept clean to function correctly.

Edge Sensors 

Edge sensors are pressure-sensitive material strips on the garage door’s bottom edge. When something touches the strips, it sets off the sensors, which tell the door opener to stop closing the door. Edge sensors can sense things that photoelectric sensors might miss, like a small pet or something low to the ground.

Both kinds of sensors work with the garage door opener’s safety features. They have a safety reversing system that stops and reverses the door if it closes into something. Caring for and keeping your garage door safety devices in good shape is crucial. Working sensors will keep your family and pets safe and your garage door system from getting damaged.

Garage Door Service Near Me

At Omaha Garage Door Repair, we focus on offering high-quality garage door repair services. Our garage door experts can handle any job quickly and well, whether it is an emergency garage door repair or routine garage door maintenance. We only use premium garage door parts to help keep your door safe and running smoothly. Our experienced staff commits to giving great customer service. Let us get your garage door back up and running with our reliable repair services. Call us now for free estimates.