Garage Door Sensor & Reverse Clutch Testing

Q: What is the "reverse clutch?

It's the common name for the force setting inside your garage door opener . It's a "clutch" that slips and reverses the motor if it feels more resistance than it's programmed to expect (like hitting the floor, or an object).

Your garage door has two primary, life-saving safety features. The first is the garage door sensors (photo eyes) that create an invisible beam near the floor to detect obstructions before contact. The second is the opener’s reverse clutch (or force setting), which detects physical resistance and reverses the door after it makes contact. When either of these fails, your door becomes a serious safety hazard.

Our professional Sensor & Reverse Clutch Testing service is a critical component of any maintenance plan. We don’t just “look” at the parts; we perform certified tests to ensure both of these safety systems are working exactly as intended, protecting your family, pets, and property.

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Signs You Need This Safety Test

If you notice any of these symptoms, your safety features are compromised and need immediate professional testing.

Blinking Lights on the Sensors: A blinking or unlit sensor (usually green or red) is the #1 sign they are misaligned, dirty, or faulty.
Door Won't Close: The door starts to close, then goes right back up, even when nothing is in the way.
Must Hold the Button to Close: If the only way to close your door is to hold down the wall button, the system is in override mode, which means your safety sensors are not working.
Door Fails the "2x4 Test": You placed an object (like a 2x4) on the ground, and the door did not automatically reverse when it hit it. This is a critical failure.
Door Reverses for No Reason: The door hits the floor and then bounces back up, indicating the "close force" or "travel limit" is set incorrectly.

What Does Our Safety Testing Include?

Our technicians follow a precise, multi-point checklist to test and calibrate your opener’s safety systems.

Sensor Alignment & Test:

We check the physical alignment of the two safety sensors and perform a test by blocking the beam to ensure it instantly reverses the door.

Sensor Wiring Inspection

We inspect the low-voltage wires running to the sensors for any frays, staples, or damage that could cause an intermittent failure.

Opener Reverse Clutch Test (Contact Test)

We perform the industry-standard “2×4 test” to confirm the opener’s reverse clutch is sensitive enough to reverse on contact.

The Advantages of Regular Testing

This service is one of the most important investments you can make for your home.

Protects Your Family & Pets: This is the single most important reason. These tests confirm your door will not close on a child or pet.
Ensures Legal Compliance: Federal law (UL 325) mandates these safety features. Our test ensures your door is compliant and safe.
Prevents Property Damage: A properly set reverse clutch will stop the door from crushing your car, a bicycle, or other property.
Identifies Opener Problems Early: A failed test can often be the first sign that your garage door opener itself is aging and beginning to fail.

How Often Should I Get This Tested?

We recommend homeowners test their sensors monthly by waving an object through the beam. However, a professional Sensor & Reverse Clutch Test should be performed at least once a year. This is the only way to ensure the contact reverse feature (the force setting) is calibrated correctly.

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Don’t guess when it comes to your family’s safety. Contact us today to schedule your professional Sensor & Reverse Clutch Test and get complete peace of mind.

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Safety is Our Top Priority

We adhere to the highest industry standards for safety. A broken spring repair is dangerous, and we take that risk seriously.

We follow all DASMA Garage Door Safety Guidelines on every job.
Our safety protocols and training are aligned with OSHA Safety Standards to protect both our technicians and your property.

Prepare Your Garage Door for Every Season

Safety sensors are notoriously sensitive to weather. In the summer, low-angled, direct sunlight can hit one of the sensors and “trick” it into thinking the beam is connected, even when it’s not. In winter, frost, fog, or moisture can cloud the lens. A professional alignment and test ensures your sensors are robust enough to work reliably in all conditions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the light on my garage door sensor blinking?

A blinking light almost always means the sensors are out of alignment. One sensor is not "seeing" the other. It can also be caused by dirt on the lens or a bad wire connection.

What is the "reverse clutch?

It's the common name for the force setting inside your garage door opener. It's a "clutch" that slips and reverses the motor if it feels more resistance than it's programmed to expect (like hitting the floor, or an object).

My door closes, but then opens right back up. What's wrong?

This is usually an opener adjustment issue. The "close limit" is set too far, so the door hits the floor and the reverse clutch thinks it hit an obstruction. It then reverses as a safety precaution. We can easily adjust this.

Can't I just do these tests myself?

You absolutely can and should! However, our professional service is different. Most homeowners know how to test the features, but they don't know how to safely adjust the force and limit settings if the test fails. Overtightening the force setting is extremely dangerous, and our technicians are trained to calibrate it perfectly.

Garage Door Sensor & Reverse Clutch Testing

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Signs You Need This Safety Test

What Does Our Safety Testing Include?

Sensor Alignment & Test:

Sensor Wiring Inspection

Opener Reverse Clutch Test (Contact Test)

The Advantages of Regular Testing

How Often Should I Get This Tested?

Ready for a Certified Safe Door?

Our Expert Technicians

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Alex

Safety is Our Top Priority

Prepare Your Garage Door for Every Season

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Service Areas

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the light on my garage door sensor blinking?

What is the "reverse clutch?

My door closes, but then opens right back up. What's wrong?

Can't I just do these tests myself?

We come to you anywhere in the Bay Area

(408) 580-7949

Service Hours

Sunday - Friday

7:00 AM - 11:00 PM

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