CFR > Title 16 - Commercial Practices > CHAPTER II—CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION > SUBCHAPTER B—CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY ACT REGULATIONS (parts 1101 to 1450) > PART 1211—SAFETY STANDARD FOR AUTOMATIC RESIDENTIAL GARAGE DOOR OPERATORS > SUBPART A—The Standard (§1211.1 to §1211.17) > 1211.11—Requirements for photoelectric sensors.

1211.11—Requirements for photoelectric sensors.

(a) Normal operation test. (1) When installed as described in § 1211.10(a) (1) -(4), a photoelectric sensor shall sense an obstruction as described in paragraph (a)(2) of this section that is to be placed on the floor at three points over the width of the door opening, at distances of 1 foot (305 mm) from each end and the midpoint.
(2) The obstruction noted in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall consist of a white vertical surface 6 inches (152 mm) high by 12 inches (305 mm) long. The obstruction is to be centered under the door perpendicular to the plane of the door when in the closed position. See figure 3.

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[Please see PDF for image: EC03OC91.043 ]
(b) Sensitivity test. (1) When installed as described in § 1211.10(a)(1) -(4), a photoelectric sensor shall sense the presence of a moving object when tested according to paragraph (b)(2) of this section.
(2) The moving object is to consist of a 1 7/8 inch (47.6 mm) diameter cylindrical rod, 34 1/2 inches (876 mm) long, with the axis point being 34 inches (864 mm) from the end. The axis point is to be fixed at a point centered directly above the beam of the photoelectric sensor 36 inches (914 mm) above the floor. The photoelectric sensor is to be mounted at the highest position as recommended by the manufacturer. The rod is to be swung as a pendulum through the photoelectric sensor's beam from a position 45 degrees from the plane of the door when in the closed position. See figure 4.
(3) The test described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section is to be conducted at three points over the width of the door opening, at distances of 1 foot (305 mm) from each end and the midpoint.
(c) Ambient light test. (1) A photoelectric sensor shall operate as specified in § 1211.8 (a) and (b) when subjected to ambient light impinging at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees from the axis of the beam when tested according to paragraph (c)(2) and, if appropriate, paragraph (c)(3) of this section.
(2) To determine compliance with paragraph (c)(1) of this section, a 500 watt, 3600K Photo Floodlamp, type DXC RFL-2, is to be energized from a 120-volt, 60-hertz source.

Code of Federal Regulations

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[Please see PDF for image: EC03OC91.044 ]

Code of Federal Regulations

The lamp is to be positioned 5 feet from the front of the receiver and aimed directly at the sensor at an angle of 15 to 20 degrees from the axis of the beam. See figure 5.
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(3) If the photoelectric sensor uses a reflector, this test is to be repeated with the lamp aimed at the reflector.