You enjoy the ease of using your garage door opener, but you probably take it for granted, as most people do. You simply expect that the opener is going to work when you need it to work. When you press the button, the door opens and closes. It should be nice and simple, and most of the time, it is. However, you probably never stopped to think about how it actually works.
The following are some of the basics regarding your door opener. This should help you have a better understanding of what is happening the next time you have to use your garage door, and it might even give you more overall appreciation for it.
Door Opener Types
First, it is important to realize that there is more than just a single type of door opener, and this is not referring to the brands. There are the central door openers, which are the most common in North America. Central openers are driven by a motor that lifts the door on a trolley system. These are going to be installed on the ceiling of the garage at the center point of the door.
Some of the garages in recent years have higher ceilings, which means that the central openers are not the best solution. Instead, with these garage doors, it tends to be a better idea to use what are known as Jackshaft openers. These openers are installed next to the garage door instead.
How Does the Door Operate?
The remote control that you have acts as a radio transmitter. The receiver is a part of the opener, so when you click the remote, it will send out a radio wave at the right frequency for the receiver to pick up. When the signal is received, the door will open or close. When the garage door opener does not work, some of the simple causes might be needing a new battery in the remote, or having a power outage in the neighborhood, which means the receiver can’t really receive and lift the door.
Is Pirating a Problem?
One of the questions that is sometimes heard by those working in the garage door industry is whether a plane passing over their house is going to open up their garage door. Fortunately, that’s not the case. There are only certain wavelengths that are going open the door. With the older door openers that were manufactured before 1993, DIP switches were utilized. These had up to eight positioning clips with +, -, and 0 positions. It was possible for some people to figure out these signals, but it was still unlikely.
However, since 1993, Chamberlain, the company that includes Craftsman and LiftMaster brands, has implemented SECURITY+. This system allows for more than a billion codes, and whenever a code is used, it will be changed the next time that you open up the garage door. The introduction of the MyQ system in 2013 allows people to use their smart devices to open and close their garage doors. Some of the door openers from Chamberlain also have WiFi as an added feature.
Drive Types on the Door Openers
Chain drives are the most common type of door opener in use. These have similarities to bike chains. Another option is the belt drive, which uses a steel‑reinforced rubber belt. The belts are similar to the ones that are used to make tires for cars. This tends to be quieter than a chain drive. Another option, which happens to be the least used option, is the screw drive.
Motor Strength
Today, the alternating current motors, which are commonly used, will be either ½ or ¾ horsepower. Another option is the DC opener, or the direct current opener. The DC motors are rated in Newtons. The speeds with these openers will vary. This means that they are going to start slowly, and then they will increase their speed to the normal or ideal speed. They will also slow before they stop.
One of the other things that is important to remember is the strength of the door openers. They are typically powerful enough that they can lift up to 225 lbs. However, you need to think about what happens when they are closing. They are going to be pushing down with the same amount of force, which means that is essential that you have a door that is well balanced. When you have a well‑balanced door, it means that the spring system acting as the counterweight is properly calibrated, and that it is possible to open the door using just one hand.
Your Reversals Systems
The reversal systems are some of the most important elements of your garage door. They are what helps to keep you and your family safe around the door, and since 1993, it has been a requirement that all of the openers sold in North America have two automatic reversal systems. One of the systems is mechanical. When the opener senses resistance as the door is lowering, it will stop and reverse direction automatically.
The other system that is in place uses a system called photo eyes. These are two small devices that are placed about six inches off the floor at either side of the garage door. The devices have an invisible beam that passes from one to the other. When anything breaks this beam, the opener believes that something is in the way, and it reverses direction automatically.
What Else Do You Want to Know?
Do you have more questions about your garage door system? Perhaps you are in need of a new garage door, or you are looking for some help with repairs. You can contact us at 1-877-828-5279. Our experts can help you learn more about garage doors and what is going to be right for your needs and your budget. We can provide you with a quotation.
You may want to check out our showroom, as well. Additionally, consider some of the benefits of using the Design Centre to help you find a style that suits your needs. You can also check out the image gallery.
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