Garage doors are significantly heavy, and they could cause serious property damage if they shut on a vehicle or person. Fortunately, automatic systems must have safety sensors that reverse the door's direction if something is in it’s path. Below is more information about how these sensors work.

How Do Garage Door Safety Sensors Work?

Modern overhead doors utilize photoelectric sensors that cast an invisible beam across the bottom of the doorway. Installers mount these devices on each side of the door’s frame, about six inches above the ground. This height ensures that smaller objects do not interfere with the door, such as a block or insect.

To detect an obstruction, one sensor shines an infrared beam, and if the other receives the beam, the door will operate normally. However, if something blocks the beam's path—such as the tire of a car or a person's leg—the broken beam tells the door to reverse and remain open. Once the path beneath the door is clear, you can use the opener to close the garage door.

What Are the Advantages of Safety Sensors?

Photoelectric safety sensors provide homeowners with the peace of mind that they don't have to double-check their garage before activating the door. For example, if a child runs beneath the door while it's closing, parents know that the child is safe and the door cannot continue.

They also don't have to worry about damage to vehicles if they accidentally press the remote button before the car is through the doorway. This differs from older systems, which were pressure sensitive and would only reverse their motion after contacting something. Current systems engage safety measures before the door touches something.

If you need new safety sensors for your garage door, contact Blue Valley Door in Beatrice, NE. They are locally owned and operated and have been serving Gage County since 1990. They specialize in garage door installation and repairs, including spring replacements and garage opener issues. They also install seamless gutters. Learn more about their services on their website. Call (402) 228-1276 to schedule a consultation for your home.