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  1. #1
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    Default Garage door auto opener switch

    The garage door auto opener button is connected to a wall switch so that the switch needs to be in the ON position to activated the garage door auto opener..........Is this configuration okay? I'm not thinking of a reason not to do this.

    thanks,

    bm

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Garage door auto opener switch

    any thoughts on this?


  3. #3
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    Default Re: Garage door auto opener switch

    Well it certainly would not be the norm to have it installed that way. Can't say as I have ever seen one wired that way.


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    Default Re: Garage door auto opener switch

    Quote Originally Posted by brianmiller View Post
    The garage door auto opener button is connected to a wall switch so that the switch needs to be in the ON position to activated the garage door auto opener..........Is this configuration okay? I'm not thinking of a reason not to do this.

    thanks,

    bm
    Where is the wall switch in relation to door opener button?

    "There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
    www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com

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    Default Re: Garage door auto opener switch

    If the "wall switch" is the "on" button for the opener, then no, it is not okay.

    However, if the "wall switch" just serves as a disconnect and there is also a push button (momentary contact switch), then it is ... wait, no that would NOT be okay either ... because if the door were crushing someone and the switch was accidentally turned "off" then the opener would not be able to do what it is required to do, which would be to automatically open. (Typed that as I went through the thought process, so, no, no wall switch.)

    Soooo ... no, there should not be a wall switch to service as a disconnect as that would defeat or impede the safety operations of the garage door operator.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
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  6. #6
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    Default Re: Garage door auto opener switch

    "no that would NOT be okay either ... because if the door were crushing someone and the switch was accidentally turned "off" then the opener would not be able to do what it is required to do, which would be to automatically open. "

    Jerry, is this what you are thinking?
    With the switch off the door would not reverse if the garage door button was pressed, but the automatic reverse feature would still operate.
    Correct me if I'm wrong.


    "The garage door auto opener button is connected to a wall switch so that the switch needs to be in the ON position to activated the garage door auto opener..........Is this configuration okay? I'm not thinking of a reason not to do this."

    I believe I have seen something similar to that.
    Shuts off power to the opener. People use it so that the door cannot be opened by remote control or even inside unless switch is on. Useful to keep garage secure, such as when on vacation.

    Last edited by Rick Cantrell; 09-22-2009 at 12:24 PM.
    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

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    Default Re: Garage door auto opener switch

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    Jerry, is this what you are thinking?
    With the switch off the door would not reverse if the garage door button was pressed, but the automatic reverse feature would still operate.
    Correct me if I'm wrong.
    No, with the wall switch off, there would not be any power to the unit, which means the unit would not be able to automatically reverse.

    I am considering that the wall switch controls power to the receptacle the opener is plugged into.

    *IF* the wall switch ONLY controlled power in the low voltage push button circuit, then the only function of the wall switch would be to "disable" the pushbutton, which is also not a good thing when the door is closing on someone and you go to push the button to reverse the door, but hit the "button disabling switch" instead, and then try for the button again, only now the button has been "disabled", leaving you with no means to reverse the door, which means you would need to go to the emergency release cord and pull it, and hopefully the person has not been crushed by then.

    I would recommend, for the use you are referring to, to pull the emergency release cord and tie it "pulled", then lock the door with a door lock. That way, if someone accidentally actives the opener while you are away, the opener operates, but does not engage as the emergency release is still "pulled" ("disengaged").

    Follow what I am saying?

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
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  8. #8
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    Default Re: Garage door auto opener switch

    "I am considering that the wall switch controls power to the receptacle the opener is plugged into."

    The OP stated:

    "The garage door auto opener button is connected to a wall switch"

    That's why I wanted confirmation.

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: Garage door auto opener switch

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    The OP stated:

    "The garage door auto opener button is connected to a wall switch"

    That's why I wanted confirmation.
    Yes, that is what they said, but I was giving BOTH scenarios for EITHER connection method.

    Just took me a while to get there.

    NEITHER of which is, in my opinion, 'good' as EITHER could lead to disastrous results.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

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