Garage Door Opener Power Requirements

Garage door openers typically range from 1 3 to over 1 horsepower.

Garage door opener power requirements.

Most popular power rating for garage door openers. This manual release handle disengages the trolley from the attachment point to the rail. These and oversized doors over 14 feet in width require a 3 4 hp opener in order for the component to function long term. On most garage door openers there is a rope with a handle on the end usually red.

Virtually all garage door openers have a bypass switch for situations such as when the power goes out a motor goes awry or the remote opener dies. This size opener is the most popular out of the three and is recommended for single or double garage doors with average weight ex. Look for an opener that has the horsepower necessary for your garage door size based on size and weight. An opener with at least 1 2 horsepower is common for residential use.

If the garage door opener has an automatic light you can avoid the cost. The average opener will lift your garage door at about 6 8 inches per second. Remotes wall mount buttons or keypads open the garage door. Most of the weight is actually lifted by a tension or extension spring that recoils as the door opens rather than the motor however the motor must have enough power to lift several hundred.

And the number of openers can cause this number to vary. Generally speaking it s better to go for a garage door opener that is a little bit overpowered for your door vs. Standard garage door openers share common components. Here s an overview of different horsepower ratings for garage doors.

While it s the most expensive option it s also long lasting and durable with the maximum amount of power. A manual release allows you to disengage the opener from inside the garage and raise or lower the door manually. Since amps x volts watts then watts volts amps. A security light activates when you operate the system and turns off.

Garage door openers have a power cord with a plug that connects to an electrical outlet otherwise known as a receptacle. So 500 watts 120 volts 4 17 amps. Again this opener will only be efficient when the door is properly balanced and an opener with more horsepower will last longer. Most garage door openers use from 350 to 600 watts with the average at about 500 watts.

At 500 watts the power needed is just over 4 amps. It is the cheapest of the three and least power. While it s best to check the manual for specifics generally a single garage door opener needs only 15 amps while up 2 or 3 will need 20 amps.