What is a Photo-Eye Sensor?
Infrared sensors mounted on either side of the garage door opening that detect obstructions and trigger the auto-reverse.
Photo-eye sensors (also called safety sensors, safety eyes, or infrared sensors) are a pair of small devices mounted on either side of the garage door opening, approximately 6 inches above the floor. One sensor emits an invisible infrared beam; the other receives it. When the beam is unbroken, the door operates normally. If anything — a person, pet, bicycle, or debris — breaks the beam while the door is closing, the opener immediately stops and reverses the door. Photo-eye sensors have been required on all new garage door openers since 1993. Misaligned sensors are one of the most common causes of a garage door that won't close or keeps reversing. Alignment can be affected by vibration, accidental bumps, or shifting of the mounting brackets. Each sensor has an LED indicator light — a steady green light on the receiving sensor means proper alignment.