What Are Photo Eye Sensors and How Can They Interfere With Your Garage Door Functioning?

Is your garage door refusing to close and not giving you any clue as to why? One reason might be a feature of your garage door that you probably never notice but that you almost certainly have if your garage door opener has been manufactured since 1993, thanks to Federal Law UL 325.

This feature is your photoelectric eye sensors, also known as the automatic reverse safety mechanism. In 1993, to minimize the likelihood of a garage door coming down unexpectedly with someone or something underneath it, the federal government required all automatic garage door openers to come with a photoelectric eye system. This is great news for garage door owners and their families, as it helps to provide protection from serious injury or property damage.

How Do Photoelectric Eye Sensors Work?

The system consists of two photoelectric “eyes,” mounted no more than six inches above the ground in your garage, located on either side of your garage door. The two eyes generate a beam between them. The sender (amber light) sends the message and the receiver (green light) receives the message. If that beam is interrupted as the door is coming down, it tells the system that there is an obstruction. The door immediately reverses direction, avoiding landing on someone or something underneath. If there is an alignment issue with the garage door, the amber light will remain lit and the green light will be turned off.

How Can Photoelectric Eye Sensors Interfere With Your Garage Door Working?

Under normal circumstances, they don’t. If your garage door keeps reversing because there is something in the way, these sensors are working exactly as they are supposed to, and you should remove whatever the obstruction is. In some cases, however, circumstances can occur that make the photoelectric eye sensors unable to communicate with each other. If one of them somehow gets knocked out of alignment, the connection will be broken, and the door may keep reversing even when there is nothing in the way.

Similarly, if there is dust or debris obscuring one of the eyes, it may not be able to receive the signal from the other one, and again, the door may behave as if there is something in the way and reverse. It is also possible for UV interference (direct sunlight) to cause photo eye issues where the opener will sporadically stop working at certain times of the day.

What to Do About a Photoelectric Eye Sensor Problem

If your door keeps reversing direction, there is a good chance a problem with the photoelectric eyes is the culprit. Locate the sensors and make sure they are in their proper place and that the lenses are clean. If you do this and make sure there are no obstructions under your door — including yourself — it could mean one of the eyes or some other part of your garage door opener system may be defective. If you’re in the Northern Idaho or Spokane, WA area, contact Continental Door as soon as possible for assessment and possible repair service.