What is a Garage Door Limit Switch, and How Does It Work?
A garage door is large and heavy equipment consisting of multiple moving parts working together to ensure its smooth and optimal operation. One of the crucial garage door parts that aids in its proper function is a limit switch. This garage door limit switch is a device that electrically controls or limits the extent to which a garage door can travel while opening or closing.
If the limit switch is set incorrectly or malfunctions, the door may refuse to close fully or reverses itself while the homeowner attempts to shut it. It prevents the erratic movement of a garage door, acting as a safety instrument that keeps the door from accidentally closing in on someone and causing untoward accidents and severe injuries. As an essential part of a garage door opener, it instructs the door to stop while operating.
HOW DOES THE GARAGE DOOR LIMIT SWITCH WORK?
Several garage door models have limit switches looking like two white knobs are located on the tracks. In some models, it is also present in the opener mechanism. The two white knobs are up and down limit switches that signal the garage door motor to open and close.
A garage door limit switch has an actuator mechanically connected to an electrical switch. It gets activated when a roller touches it during the garage door operation gesturing the motor to open or close the electrical connection.
SIGNS THAT THE LIMIT SWITCH NEEDS ADJUSTMENT
It is common for homeowners to deal with issues with the garage door operation. A malfunctioning limit switch causes inconvenience to homeowners. It poses a risk of severe injury, as the sensors fail to stop the door after sensing an object obstructing its way. It also makes the home susceptible to burglaries and outdoor weather conditions and leads to loss of heated and cooled air, resulting in high energy bills. Here are the symptoms of a limit switch not working correctly:
The garage door is not opening or closing fully.
The door reverses itself after reaching the ground.
The garage owner may have to adjust either the up or down limit switch or both, depending on the issues faced while opening or closing. The up-limit knob needs adjustment if the door opens halfway or doesn’t open fully. The down limit switch requires adjusting when the garage door doesn’t close entirely or stops mid-way. In both cases, measure the gap to help reset them.
ADJUSTING A GARAGE DOOR LIMIT SWITCH
For adjusting the limit switch, it is first essential to identify its location. If not positioned on the track, consult the user manual to locate its position and ways to reset it.
Use a step ladder to access the location and with the help of a flat-head screwdriver to turn the knobs. For increasing the travel distance based on the measurement taken, turn the knob clockwise and counterclockwise to decrease it. Take a family member’s help to test the garage door and keep adjusting the knobs till it reaches the desired operating level.
Get a garage door repair and service professional to adjust the limit switch if you fail to do it or if the garage door requires some other repairs.
Call Quick Response Garage Door Service: we are your Arizona garage door service specialists.
602-274-3667 (Phoenix) or 520-219-3667 (Tucson)
