TESTING YOUR GARAGE DOOR AUTOMATIC REVERSE
Published from US Inspect
A garage door auto reverse is pretty much what it sounds like – a system which forces the do reverse if it encounters an obstacle, like your car, your cat, your chihauhua, or your child.
You’ve probably seen the mechanism in action but haven’t given it much thought. Or maybe you have even been annoyed by its efficiency, like when you think you have closed the garage, only to discover in the morning that your door was open all night because your aforementioned fickle cat couldn’t decide if he wanted to stay in or out of the house triggered the auto-reverse while he was deciding.
We hope it’s obvious that the garage door auto reverse mechanism is a very important safety sImproperly operating automatic reversing mechanisms on garage door openers have caused injuries and even deaths. The weight and pressure involved in closing a garage door can caus injury to someone in the path of the door, especially children.
There are two common safety features with a functional auto reverse system: i) the opener infrared sensors.
Important Safety Feature 1: Opener Motor
The first line of defense is the opener motor, which senses resistance and reverses direction i level of resistance is achieved. If an excessive amount of pressure is required to cause the do reverse, the reversing mechanism is considered “inoperative.”
Not every garage door opener has an automatic reversing. Eventual outcome of garage door r mechanism failure..
mechanism. In 1982, ANSI created a voluntary industry mechanism. In 1982, ANSI created a voluntary industry mechanism. In 1982, ANSI created a voluntary industry standard (ANSI-UL 325-1982) which requires automatic reversing mechanisms on garage door openers sold in the US.
Therefore, some pre-1982 garage door openers may have been manufactured with other saf which may stop the door, but not cause it to reverse. Because most pre-1982 garage door op comply with current safety standards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) rec replacement with an opener that has an auto-reversing feature which meets current standar
How to Test Your Automatic Reverse Mechanism
Our inspectors test the reversing mechanism with a 1 1/2′′ block. We place the block on the the door. If the door doesn’t reverse within two seconds after striking the block, the door req much force to reverse.
You can easily try this method to test your auto reverse. The CPSC recommends testing the g opener reversing mechanism every month. If the reversing mechanism fails, disconnect the do until the auto-reverse is repaired.
Important Safety Feature 2: Infrared Sensors
The second line of defense is a set of infrared sensors which should be mounted 4′′ to 6′′ above the floor on each side of
the garage door frame. If any object blocks the path of the infrared sensors, the garage door not activate or will reverse if operating.
Garage doors may display a variety of symptoms if sensors need attention. In most cases, you troubleshoot the system and correct the cause of problems. Before you begin, make sure the cord from the opener is plugged in and the electrical circuit is active.
Fixing Auto Reverse
Fixing an inoperative reversing mechanism varies greatly depending on the model and age of the door opener. It may be as simple as a couple of twists with a screwdriver, or it may be serious enough to require replacement of the garage door opener. Check your owner’s manual to determine if there is information about adjustin reversing mechanism.
If correcting the reversing mechanism is more complicated than a simple adjustment, this is n DIY – contact a garage door service company to ensure your safety.
