Garage Door Monitoring Using Magnet Sensors

Automated garage doors rely on motors to lift and lower heavy doors with precision. It is critical to stop the motor exactly when the door reaches its fully open or closed position to avoid overdriving the mechanism, which can strain the motor, damage the door, or misalign the track. Traditional systems use mechanical limit switches, but these can wear. Modern garage door systems now use Magnet sensor based controls to offer more accurate and reliable stopping points, extending the life of both the motor and the door hardware.

Beyond just detecting the end positions, it is also important to identify and respond to any obstruction in the garage door’s path during operation. If a pet, child, or object blocks the door while it is moving, the system must halt or reverse the motor immediately to prevent injury or damage. Relying solely on timers or force-based sensors can lead to delayed reactions or false positives. Accurate sensing and real-time feedback are essential for safe and intelligent door operation.

Magnet sensors and ferro-magnetic sensors provide an efficient solution by counting the rotations of the motor spindle as the door moves. A multi-pole magnet is mounted on the rotating part of the motor shaft, and each rotation is detected by the sensor. By counting these pulses, the control system can accurately calculate the garage door’s position and stop the motor exactly at the open or closed limit. If a certain number of pulses are not detected within the expected time interval—indicating the door’s movement has stalled—the system interprets it as a blockage. The motor is then halted or reversed to ensure safety. Our Magnet Sensors are compact, durable, and non-contact, making them ideal for continuous use in garage door systems, enhancing both precision and safety in everyday operation.

Application Classification

Applications are classified as Position Sensing, Pulse Counting, Electromagnetic or Relay, Temperature Sensing or Magnet Biasing types. This Garage Door monitoring application is classified as follows and the link gives more information on best practices to help select the most suitable AT band and matching magnet.

Pulse Counting Type

When an application requires the volume of a fluid, or a distance, or the RPM of a machine tool measured, such an application can be Continue reading ->

Jun 18, 2025

Recommended Products

The Magnet Sensors used in this Garage Door application need to be robust, durable and efficient in meeting a high life expectancy. Our engineers work hard in life testing our products under various conditions, and our intention is to ensure end product durability and life. Although we wouldn’t want to restrict any of our products for use in only certain applications, the recommended products for use in this application are listed below.