Garage doors and industrial roller shutters are very heavy. Although many of
them run in the background with just a button press, they can be dangerous if
safety systems fail.
The photo-eye
sensor is an important safety feature. Small and sometimes unassuming,
they prevent injuries, damages, and very costly accidents. Whether you're a
homeowner or you manage a building, knowing how photo-eye sensors work will
help keep your space safe.
What Are
Photo-Eye Sensors?
Photo-eye sensors are small safety devices
placed on each side of a door or shutter, mounted about 10–15 cm above the
floor.
They employ infrared light—a tiny, invisible
beam extends from one sensor to the other. If the beam remains unbroken, the
door can close normally. If anything interrupts the beam, the door stops and
reverses.
In other words:
·
Prevent accidents
·
Prevent the door from closing on any person or
vehicle
·
Make operation safer
Infrared sensors have been common on home
garage doors for years, but they're even more important for big industrial
shutters because those doors are larger and heavier.
Why
Photo-Eye Sensors Matter
1) They
Prevent Serious Injuries
The weight of some doors is more than that of
a person. Industrial shutters may weigh hundreds of kilograms. Without sensors,
a closing door can cause crushed limbs, head injuries, broken bones, or serious
accidents with kids or pets. Sensors act like a constant safety guard.
2) They
Protect Children and Pets
Kids might run towards the garage, and pets
wander around without understanding the danger. The sensors ensure that the
door will not fall on either of them if it has been accidentally pressed.
3) They
Prevent Vehicle and Property Damage
One of the more common accidents is a door
closing on a car's hood, trunk, or roof. Even moderately slow doors can cause
dents or damage parts. The sensors reverse the door once the beam is
interrupted, preventing any type of potential damage.
For businesses, sensors help protect:
·
Forklifts
·
Pallet jacks
·
Delivery vehicles
·
Stock moving through the doorway
This reduces repair costs and also downtime.
4) They
Improve Workplace Safety
Photo-eye sensors reduce the following in busy
industrial places such as warehouses and loading docks:
·
Worker injuries
·
Equipment collisions
·
Stock damage
·
Unexpected workflow stops
Many safety rules prescribe the use of working
sensors in roller shutters. A failed sensor means a risky door.
What Causes
Photo-Eye Sensor Problems?
Knowing the common causes helps you spot
issues early:
1)
Misalignment
The sensors must face one another. Small
displacements by the action of vibration, jolts, or loose brackets break the
connection.
2)
Accumulation of Dirt or Dust
Dust, webs, rain marks, and mud block the
beam. In busy industrial areas the buildup happens faster.
3)
Damaged Wiring
Wires can loosen, get bumped, or wear
out—especially outdoors.
4)
Interference from Sunlight
Strong sunlight can affect the beam.
5) Old
or Faulty Sensors
Sensors wear out over time.
When sensors fail, doors might stop working or
reverse on their own as that is a safety feature.
If you’re noticing these signs, you should
take steps to ensure your garage door sensors are functioning properly:
·
If the door will not close without holding down
the wall button
·
If the door stops about halfway open and then
reopens again
·
If one of the sensor eyes is blinking
·
If the sensor eye is looking crooked or out of
alignment
·
If there is any debris (such as dirt or spider
webs) on the sensor lenses
·
If the garage door opener is operating way too
much
Taking proactive action when you see any of
these signs may help to reduce the risk of accidents and/or malfunctions in the
future.
Maintenance
Tips to Keep Photo-Eye Sensors Working
You don't need special skills. Do these simple
steps:
·
Gently wipe the lenses with a soft cloth
·
Clear spider webs and dust around the sensors
·
Check regular alignment
·
Ensure wiring is tight
·
Avoid placing items over the sensors
·
Listen for unusual door behavior
Regular maintenance keeps sensors accurate and
the whole door system much safer.
It is crucial to provide additional care for
industrial sites due to the high amount of abuse that comes from the use of
industrial shutters (compared to home door types), which experience:
·
Large delivery trucks
·
Heavy lift trucks/forklifts
·
Multiple individuals
·
Continuous vibration from different equipment
The above factors increase the possibility
that industrial shutter systems will become misaligned, sensor failures, impact
and wire damage may occur.
If sensors fail, employee safety is put at
great risk; thus, many companies will utilize an industrial roller shutter repair Perth
service to remain compliant, dependable, and safe.
A Small
Device That Has a Large Positive Effect on Safety
Photo-eye sensors are small devices that
prevent thousands of accidents each year. They protect people, pets, vehicles,
machines, and buildings from being damaged from a closing door. Knowing how
they work, catching the early warning signs of failure, and maintaining them
will keep your roller shutter or garage door operating both safely and
smoothly.
A safer door protects your property and the people around it.
