Although there are several major components responsible for the efficient operation of your garage doors, it is the photoelectric sensor unit that tells your garage door when it is safe to open and close. That means that these sensors are in constant communication with the rest of your garage door, and if any misalignment occurs in this unit, the rest of the system will be rendered useless. With the help of a provider of garage door openers in McDonough, GA, you can understand just how important the efficient operation of these sensors is.
How do sensors become misaligned?
There are a number of different ways that your garage door sensors can become misaligned and stop working correctly. Your garage door is in use several times a day, so it is possible that the vibration of this movement can cause misalignment if the mountings aren’t properly secured. The sensor can also be accidentally hit or bumped out of alignment. If the inside of your garage and the surrounding areas are prone to a lot of dust and dirt, the sensors’ eyes could also be covered with debris that would cause the sensors to cease transmission. Although not as common, in some instances bright sunshine can interfere with the operation of the receiving sensor, which could cause the system to believe that the beam is broken.
Signs your sensors might be misaligned
No matter what the cause of your sensor misalignment may be, if this occurs with your garage doors, it could cause them to act erratically. For example, you might notice that, as your garage door is closing, it suddenly stops and reverses even though there isn’t anything in the path of the photoelectric beam. A garage door with misaligned sensors might also open, but you won’t be able to get it to close again. If you notice any of these symptoms and take a peek at the sensor and notice that it is flashing, it is an indication that something is off with the sensor and an adjustment is needed.
Finding the solution
In many cases, if your sensors aren’t transmitting because they have been knocked out of alignment, you can easily make the adjustments on your own. After you have disconnected the power to the sensors and made sure that the areas around the eyes are clean, slowly move the sensor until the LED light stops flashing. In most cases, this will be enough to restore normal operation to your garage doors. There are some instances when the fix will be a little more complicated, though, and for these you should call on the help of a professional.
Here at Affordable Dock & Door we have experience with various sensor designs and garage door openers in McDonough, GA, and we understand just how frustrating malfunctioning equipment can be. Contact us so we can take a look at your system and make sure your garage doors are back up and running smoothly as soon as possible. Give us a call today to schedule your appointment!