How Automatic Garage Doors Work

Automatic garage doors are not complicated pieces of contraption and one does not need to be a rocket scientist to figure out its operation. Any person can actually understand-- even fix—automatic garage doors. If you would like to choose automatic garage doors for your home right now, you can go straight to http://www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk

Understanding garage doors can actually help you in choosing the best ones for your home. Below are the most basic parts of a garage door:

The Motor

The heart and soul of every automatic garage door is its motor. Depending on the design, the motor can be housed in a power unit placed high up on the garage ceiling, or on each arm of the gate if they open or close sideways.

The motor and power unit is connected to a track that is also fixed to the ceiling or the wall (for gates opening sideways). The track has a slider attached to the door. It utilizes a pair of metal arms fixed to the garage door.

How It Works

Once the motor has been activated, a chain, screw or belt will pull the slider along the track. The movement goes from the door to the power unit. The metal arms start to pull the door slowly up (or sideways). High tension springs connected to the door make for smooth movement. In case of power failure, a release mechanism allows the door to be manually operated.

The Remote Control System

Automatic garage doors come with a remote control transmitter. It emits a frequency which matches the receiver which in turn activates the motor. Some remote control transmitters have security features allowing you to enter a set of unique code to open the gates.

Safety Systems

Garage doors need to have a safety system installed to prevent anyone from accidentally getting hurt by the garage doors’ opening and closing. Some older garage doors have infrared sensors installed which can detect obstructions. When the infrared beam has been broken by anyone passing through, the doors automatically stop.

Modern garage doors make use of sensitivity. If it detects anything within its vicinity, it reverses its operation and movement. However, some models still use infrared beams aside from shock sensors as an added security feature.

Up and Over Doors Ltd, is a manual and automatic garage doors supplier based in Bristol. If you are looking for the best garage doors, go to www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk.