How Does A Garage Door Opener Sensor Work

The purpose of a photo eye sensor is to detect if anything is blocking the path of the garage door.

How does a garage door opener sensor work.

The first unit emitter creates the light beam which is then received by the second unit receiver. 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. They work thanks to two devices located oppositely from each other.

Here s everything you ll need to know. 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. In general garage door sensors block the door from closing if there is an object nearby. There are several different brands of sensors.

Photo eye sensors detect objects as well as people. Garage door sensors are safety devices that prevent the door from closing on people pets or objects in the doorway. 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. The same mechanism kicks in when other objects are placed near the door too.

All garage door openers use a sensor light to prevent the door from closing when an object is in its path. Any time an object or person crosses the light beam it breaks the connection between the two units. The sensors are located low on each side of the garage door and the 2 beams meet performing a connection. 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. How garage door sensors work in the majority of cases a photo eye sensor will be installed on the garage door sensor. This precaution ensures that the door doesn t close when your car is in the doorway. Disabling the sensor light on a craftsman garage door opener is only temporary and will render the remote controls useless until you reconnect the sensors.

All garage door sensors work the same way and serve the same purpose. The units are placed near the ground on either side of the garage door. Sometimes the sensor becomes faulty and needs to be replaced. When it does it s time to go shopping.

Do both garage sensors need to be green.