When it comes to garage door installation, you need to consider your safety and that of your property. The height should enable the sensors to detect anything under the door and reverse to the fully open position. Make sure that you monitor your sensors on all the residential and commercial doors. When dealing with wires, you will need an expert technician who will help in the installation. The height of your garage door sensors will bring a lot of impact on how well your door will function.
The Ideal Height for Garage Door Sensors
The sensors should not be placed more than six inches from the ground, which is the general rule. When the sensors are installed very high from the ground, low-lying objects like a child and a dog will not block the door from coming down. The door is set to reverse when it meets resistance; therefore, it will reverse after contact, but it will have already caused the object or person damage or injury trying to build the pressure to roll up. Check the height using a ruler or a measuring tape to ensure that both sides have the same size so that the door can work perfectly.
Factors to Consider When Installing Garage Door Sensors
The light line is one of the essential elements in the installation of your garage door sensors. When your door is opening with no interference, the photo eye on either side of the door will send an infrared beam to both sides. However, when the rays are not interrupted, your door will close smoothly. When the beam is blocked or interrupted by a bike or an animal, it will not close. Additionally, garage door sensors use a photo eye system to work as it also prevents the door from closing on something or someone. The infrared sensors are places between two and six inches from the ground on either side of the door. The remote control you use to open the door sends signals to the sensors to open the door.
A DIY project is complicated for this kind of work since wiring can be hard to handle and dangerous. You will need knowledge and skills from a professional who has experience in systems and tools to fix your problem. Anything that involves electricity and wiring must involve a professional.
Safety Precautions When Installing Your Garage Door Sensors
Safety sensors are essential, especially if you have automatic garage doors. It is crucial to get familiar with the safety features since the door can cause significant damage if you do not follow certain precautions. Some of the measures you need to take as the garage owner are; never walk under a door in motion even if it is an emergency as it may lead to a great tragedy. It is also dangerous as the kids can try that when the door is descending, which can cause damage. Even if the door is halfway up, it is dangerous as the door can get damaged and roll down, causing a lot of damage.
A monthly visual inspection of your door is also essential to check the springs and the door itself. Door springs need to be strong enough to hold your door so that it does not fall; therefore, you need to check if the springs have rust or in poor condition. Make sure you also lubricate the moving parts and make sure that the door is in good condition. A door with a cracking sound can cause fatal accidents; therefore, you will need an experienced professional who will help you with the adjustments.
Ensure that your garage is organized; this will reduce injury. Things like sports equipment that can cause you to trip and fall when the door is in motion should be well kept. You need to designate a space away from the door so that you do not trip and cause accidents. Anything dangerous must have a proper place.
Testing the Garage Door Sensors
Identifying the cause of your faulty garage door sensors can be difficult. A few signs can help you comprehend the underlying problem. The common signs include; the change of the light indicator. When you close the door, the LED light blinks, and green lights mean that the sensors work well, while red lights are an indication that it needs alignment. The red lights can be fixed by inspecting the brackets and tightening the screws in the blinking sensors. You will know that you have fixed the sensors when the lights stop blinking and the door opens properly.
You will also need to watch your garage door sensor’s wires as it may experience wear and tear caused by weather, pets, and regular use. Rainwater can also damage the cables; rats can also chew the wires. Such damages mean that they need replacing. You can only do the replacement with the help of an expert.
Conclusion
The ideal height for installing garage door sensors should be between two and six inches from the ground. Before starting the installation process, you need to consider factors like the animals, people, and objects to reduce accidents. After installation, you need to test your door sensors if there is any difficulty in using them. You also need to be familiar with handling the garage door sensor to reduce the risks of accidents. You will need the knowledge of a professional during the fixing process.