Identifying Electrical Problems in Old Garage Door Openers

Old garage door openers and doors may be associated with electrical problems such as short circuits, tripped breakers or loss of power. If you notice any signs of these problems, consider a brand-new garage door installationas well as a new opener. If your home has any other electrical issues in addition to what is going on with the garage door opener, consider a consultation with an electrician.

Tripped Breakers

Identify which breaker in the box is the one that controls your garage door. Nothing else should be using that breaker. Other outlets in the garage should be tied to a different circuit. If the garage door trips the circuit, the opener could have an electrical problem. If the circuit only trips when you are doing something else in the garage other than opening the door, this could be an electrical issue rather than a garage door problem.

Unusual Door Movement

Unusual opening or closing of the garage door could be an electrical or mechanical problem. Check the garage door opener’s power cord. If it looks damaged, it should be replaced as soon as possible. Damaged insulation on the power cord could short the circuit and lead to a fire. A garage door technician can replace the cord or replace the entire opener. If the garage door is also being replaced, a new opener is a good idea.

Loss of Power

If the garage door will not open or close, there could be several reasons. Check for a loss of power. If the breaker is not tripped, check the power switch. If the power switch is on and the power cord is fine, see if another appliance will work in the outlet.