Automatic garage doors - how they work

When you motorise your existing garage door, or buy a brand new automatic garage door, you will wonder how on earth you managed with a manual door. No more getting wet or cold while you struggle with the door - at the press of a button your door will rise and open, closing behind you after you have driven in.

If you would like to know exactly how a motorised garage door works, here's our quick guide. If you don't care how they work, and just want to get your hands on an automatic door or motor, skip this article and go straight to http://www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk to find out more.

The motor
The motor will be inside a power unit that is placed high up, in the middle of the garage ceiling, towards the rear of the garage. The power unit is attached to a track that is also fixed to the ceiling. The track will have a slider that is attached to the door using a pair of metal arms fixed to the top of the garage door.

Operation
When the motor is operated, a chain, belt or screw will pull the slider along the track, from the door towards the power unit. The metal arms will start to pull the door slowly up. High tension springs affixed to the door help it to lift up smoothly. If there is a power failure, a quick release mechanism will allow the door to be operated manually.

The remote system
You will have a remote control with a transmitter, and there will be a receiver inside the power unit. The transmitter will emit a frequency equal to that of the receiver, starting the motor. Alternatively, you may need to enter a digital code to activate the transmitter.

Safety systems
Garage doors are heavy and under high tension. In order to maintain safety, automatic doors will have a safety system. Older doors tend to be fitted with sensors which use a beam to detect obstructions. However, the majority of doors now use sensitivity, whereby the gearing of the motor detects an obstruction and reverses the door.

This article was written by Up and Over Doors Ltd, a manual and automatic garage doors supplier in Bristol. Find out more at www.upandoverdoorsltd.co.uk.