Modern garage door sensors have features that prevent them from closing on any person, animal, vehicle, or other object that happens to be in the way. This is particularly important when you have small children running around.
Many homeowners are concerned about the impact that direct sunlight can have on these sensors. However, this isn’t as big a concern as they might think.
How Garage Door Sensors Work
Garage door sensors rely on infrared, a wavelength of light that’s invisible to the human eye. It’s the same type of light that’s used in various types of remote controls, from TVs to toy cars. In the case of your garage door, it relies on the same principle as many other infrared security systems.
There are two units on either side of the garage door opening. One sends an infrared signal, and the other receives it. If something is in the way, it blocks the light, and the receiving sensor takes notice and stops the garage door from moving.
How Light Can Affect Sensors
Sunlight contains many different wavelengths, including infrared. In theory, this can cause interference. However, this is rarely the case. While sunlight does contain infrared light, it isn’t as bright as the sensor.
The infrared signal used by your garage door opener is a focused beam pointed at an exact spot. It sends a narrow band at relatively high power, so it doesn’t get washed out by indirect sunlight. Even direct sunlight isn’t too much of an issue because it is rarely at the right angle to hit the sensor.
Maintaining Garage Door Safety
Many infrared garage door sensors feature shades that prevent sunlight from hitting them from above, providing additional safety. In general, sunlight doesn’t need to be at the top of your list when it comes to garage door safety.
Instead, it’s important to focus on keeping your garage door and its accessories functional and safe with routine maintenance. You’re at much greater risk of aging or broken components causing damage than you are of interference from the sun.
Having professionals inspect and tune up your garage door regularly is the best approach to safety.
Stay Up to Date With the Latest Safety Features
Garage door safety is always evolving, and you can make sure that you have the latest safety features in Oregon with Larry Myers Garage Doors. We install a wide range of modern garage door accessories for convenient and safe operation throughout Portland and Vancouver. Reach out today to learn more or schedule service.