Your Guide to the Different Types of Garage Door Cables

garage door cables

We all take our garage doors for granted until they stop working. Before you can get your garage door fixed and working again, you need to know what type of garage door cables it runs on. To learn more about the different kinds of cable, check out this simple guide!

The Differences Between Torsion Spring Cables and Extension Spring Cables

There are two main methods that are involved in the safe operation of your garage door. These cables are known as torsion spring cables and extension spring cables. The difference between torsion spring and extension spring determines how the door works and opens.

Torsion spring cables are the most common method used to open garage doors. While all garage door cables use springs to open their doors, torsion springs need torque to work. The cables attached to the door winds the springs up when lowered and help open the door by being unwound.

When your garage does not have a lot of headroom, extension spring cables are your best option. These cables are installed in horizontal track alongside the garage and connect to the bottom corners of the door itself.

The extension springs are stretched when the garage door is closed and contract to open the door. The more often you use the door, the higher the amount of stress that is placed on the spring itself.

Other Garage Door Cables You Should Know About

The three cables that allow your garage door to work are the lifting cable, the retaining cable, and the emergency release cable. A malfunction in any of these cables could lead to you being unable to open your garage safely and quickly.

The lifting cable allows your garage door to open and is also the cable is most likely to break. Lifting cables help power the axle that enables your door to lift and lower itself. Should your lifting cable break, you will have trouble using your garage door.

Retaining cables or safety cables are used with extension spring cables. They are used as a failsafe device if the spring is damaged.

These cables are attached to each end of the door and go through each of the extension springs. If the spring becomes broken or fails, the safety cable ensures that the broken pieces stay where they are.

Without safety cables, the broken spring would fire off at high speed through your garage door, potentially damaging other property or harming your or your loved ones. If your garage door is operating without a safety cable in place, you are risking unnecessary injury or death every time you open the door.

You may not be aware, but almost every garage door comes with an emergency release cable. This cable allows you to manually open your garage door if the power goes off or the motor breaks.

By Knowing Your Garage Door Cables, You Can Save Time and Money on Repairs

To keep your car from being stuck in the garage, schedule a repair or installation today. Contact us today and make sure that your garage door is working correctly!

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