What kind of sensor would this be on a garage door?

I would like to buy or build a sensor like this. its basically a touch sensor, but at the higher speed and torque of a garage door (this is an industrial door), it is able to "cave in" and set off the sensor in time to reverse direction of the door before it can damage anything caught in the way.

thank you

The same thing is on elevator doors. Google 'elevator door safety sensor'.

Go to a garage door supplier and ask them if they can supply one.

Think about safety in case the sensor or wires get broken or jams. Any open circuit should be regarded as "Stop". Using like double braking microswitches could do. A normal service check would be to run the door and using a finger trip the sensors one at the time to verify that each of them break at mechanical contact.

That strip looks more like a weather seal to me. Are you sure it is a sensor? How does it signal? Does it have wires? If not, is there a box with a battery case to power a wireless signal?

Door closers often have an adjustable clutch. When the door hits something the clutch slips and the door stops or reverses.

johnwasser:
That strip looks more like a weather seal to me. Are you sure it is a sensor? How does it signal? Does it have wires? If not, is there a box with a battery case to power a wireless signal?

Door closers often have an adjustable clutch. When the door hits something the clutch slips and the door stops or reverses.

Theres some kind of box or something. I dont know

Could be a pneumatic switch. https://www.door-parts.com/Liftmaster-2-Wire-Pnuematic-Safety-Edge-Kit-14-p/658202.htm

Realizing I am a bit late: The motor should have a current sensor. When the current exceeds some amount it reverses and starts going up. If going up, excessive current will cause it to stop. That way is does not matter if the problem is something blocking the door path or maybe something getting caught in the closing mechanism.

Hi,

Is your door a HIGH speed industrial, to keep say cold in and let forklift truck in and out?
Fast I mean frighteningly fast?

Tom.. :slight_smile:

bkelly:
Realizing I am a bit late: The motor should have a current sensor. When the current exceeds some amount it reverses and starts going up. If going up, excessive current will cause it to stop. That way is does not matter if the problem is something blocking the door path or maybe something getting caught in the closing mechanism.

That exists?

bkelly:
Realizing I am a bit late: The motor should have a current sensor. When the current exceeds some amount it reverses and starts going up. If going up, excessive current will cause it to stop. That way is does not matter if the problem is something blocking the door path or maybe something getting caught in the closing mechanism.

That exists?

TomGeorge:
Hi,

Is your door a HIGH speed industrial, to keep say cold in and let forklift truck in and out?
Fast I mean frighteningly fast?

Tom.. :slight_smile:

Just an access gate. Nothing fancy. I just dont want to damage cars

birddseedd:
Just an access gate. Nothing fancy. I just dont want to damage cars

I have seen a long plate, rubber coated for your protection that is hinged along one long edge of the bottom of the door, at each end is a microswitch.
It is held ON when the plate is allowed to swing down, and OFF if it is lifted.
A switch both ends for redundancy, the plate only has to be the door thickness at most as hitting an object or the ground will cause it to lift and swing 90Deg to open the microswitches.
Tom... :slight_smile:

birddseedd:
That exists?
Just an access gate. Nothing fancy. I just dont want to damage cars

Then check this out: Protector System - Safety IR Beams 774ANZ | Merlin AU