What Happens To My Garage Door Opener After a Power Outage?

Emergency lights turn on after a power outage. Garage door opener after power outage

There are many reasons you can experience a power outage. While thunderstorms with severe winds, rain and lightning are often the primary cause of outages, winter storms also pack a considerable punch. With freezing rain sticking to tree branches and power lines, outages can affect tens of thousands of people in varying communities.

When you’re inside the house during an outage, candles, lanterns, and even emergency lighting are par for the course. But what happens if you need to leave your home and your car is in the garage? More than a step in any process, you must always be safe. The prevention of injury is vital when dealing with your garage door because its the most massive movable object you might ever own.

Here’s a quick guide on how to operate your automatic garage door opener after a power outage.

Step 1: Preparation

Before you can work on your automatic door opener, the garage door itself must be closed, with people standing clear, and nothing can be obstructing the door path. Next, find the emergency release cord. It is often a red and white rope with a bright red handle.

Step 2: Disconnecting the Trolley

With the door closed, go to your garage door opener and find the emergency release handle. Pull straight down and back (toward the opener) on the cord to disconnect the trolley. Pulling down enacts a lockout feature that prevents the trolley from reconnecting.

When Power Returns

Step 3: Reconnecting the Trolley

Operating the garage door opener after a power outage is ALWAYS safer with the door closed. To reconnect the trolley, pull the emergency cord down and away (from the opener). The trolley will automatically engage on your next up or down command.

 

To see which garage door opener is right for your home or business, browse our wide selection of openers.

 

Environmental Door Showroom
11501 3rd Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49534

 

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