Just like magic, you press a button and your garage door open. It couldn’t be simpler, right? While this is a simple process on the surface, behind the scenes is a complex system of sensors, infrared lighting, and other technical components to get your door to do what you want when you want it.
There are four basic types of garage door sensors: safety sensors, pressure sensors, monitoring sensors and CO2 sensors. Each has its own specific function and unique purpose, but they’re all engineered and designed for flawless execution and peerless safety. Here’s an in-depth look at each type of sensor:
Safety Sensors
Safety sensors are designed to prevent the garage door from closing on obstructions such as automobiles, pets, debris, or people. You will typically find these mounted to the rails on either side of the garage door. Using infrared beams, the sensors connect to one another and will cause the door to stop and reverse direction if anything interrupts the beams. These sensors work by identifying anything lying still or if something suddenly enters the path of the beams.
Pressure Sensors
Installed along the bottom edge of a garage door, pressure sensors will stop and reverse the door’s downward closing motion when it comes into contact with another object. These sensors are designed to detect even low amounts of pressure, providing a safeguard against the door closing on top of anyone or anything!
Monitoring Sensors
Intended for homes with several different garage doors, monitoring sensors alert owners whenever their doors are open. These work with receivers that are installed within the home or via an app installed on smartphones. In many cases, these sensors have the ability to close the door remotely or can be setup to close after a certain amount of time. Often, these sensors are included with home security systems, as an open garage door can be a source of vulnerability to intruders.
CO2 Sensors
Carbon dioxide buildup in a garage can be deadly! CO2 sensors employ advanced technology to continuously monitor CO2 levels in the garage and automatically open the garage door, if needed. While these types of sensors are not as common as other types of sensors, these can help keep you and your family safe.
Sensors are not only critical to the functionality of your garage door, they can be a critical point of safety for you and your loved ones. If you’re in the Raleigh area and have concerns about the effectiveness of your garage door sensors, call Garage Door Specialist today. Our experts can quickly identify any issues you may be having and help repair your door to maintain a safe living environment.