Photocell

A photocell is a safety sensor made of two parts facing each other on either side of the opening of an automatic door: one sends out an invisible beam of light and the other receives it. If a person, a car or an object breaks the beam while the door is closing, the door stops or opens again.

You see them low down on the sides of the entrance to communal garages, on sliding gates and on motorised roller shutters. They are the protection that stops the door coming down on someone.

If the door will not close or opens again as it closes, it is often a photocell that is dirty, wet, covered by a plant or knocked out of line. Wiping it with a cloth is usually enough. Never bypass it or cover it to make the door close. If the fault continues, it is a job for the automation technician, because we do not repair motors or garage doors. Our work is manual shutters: roller shutter repair.