Garage door safety sensors are an important part of keeping your home safe and your garage door operating correctly. This blog will help you understand how they work, common issues, and how to fix problems like misaligned sensors, blinking lights, or faulty wiring. With these tips, you can confidently handle garage door sensor problems. Let’s make your garage door worry-free!
How Garage Door Safety Sensors Work
Garage door safety sensors are a pair of infrared sensors mounted on either side of the door’s opening, typically near the floor. Here’s a breakdown of their operation:
- Beam Interruption: An invisible beam of light constantly passes between the two sensors.
- Automatic Reversal: If the beam is interrupted while the door is closing, the safety system triggers and reverses the door’s direction, preventing it from closing on anything below.
These sensors play a vital role in preventing accidents, especially for children and pets who might be playing near the doorway.
Troubleshooting Garage Door Sensor Woes
Sometimes, your garage door might malfunction, refusing to close all the way. Often, the culprit can be faulty garage door sensors. Here are some common issues and solutions:
- Misaligned Sensors: If the sensors are slightly misaligned, the beam might not be properly connecting. This can be caused by bumping or vibrations.
- Dirty Lenses: Dust or debris on the sensor lenses can block the infrared beam.
- Loose Wiring: Over time, wires connected to the sensors can become loose or disconnected.
Realigning Misaligned Garage Door Sensors
Misaligned sensors are a common cause of garage door malfunctions. Here’s how to realign them yourself:
- Locate the Adjustment Screws: The sensors typically have small screws for vertical and horizontal adjustment.
- Loosen the Screws Slightly: Use a screwdriver to loosen the adjustment screws on one of the sensors.
- Align the Beam: Carefully move the sensor until the infrared beam shines directly onto the receiver lens of the other sensor. A blinking LED light on the sensor might indicate proper alignment.
- Tighten the Screws: Once the beam is aligned, tighten the adjustment screws to secure the sensor in place.
- Test the Door: Close the garage door and observe if the safety sensors trigger the automatic reversal as expected.
How to Check the Safety Reversing Sensors
It’s a good practice to periodically check your garage door safety sensors to ensure they’re working correctly. Here’s a simple test:
- Place an Object in the Doorway: Carefully place a box or other object in the path of the closing door, near the floor where the safety beam passes.
- Activate the Door Closing Mechanism: Use your remote or wall button to close the garage door.
- Automatic Reversal: If the sensors are functioning properly, the door should automatically reverse direction upon encountering the object.
Addressing Electrical Issues
If realignment and basic testing don’t resolve the issue, there might be an electrical problem with the sensor wiring. However, diagnosing and repairing electrical issues is best left to a qualified technician.
Conclusion
Garage door safety sensors play a big role in keeping your garage safe and your door functional. From testing their alignment to fixing wiring issues, small troubleshooting steps can go a long way. If you ever feel stuck or need professional help, trust Shon Garage Door Repair & Services Inc. to get the job done.