Power Requirement For Garage Door Opener

The code does not consider the vehicle door to be an egress door.

Power requirement for garage door opener.

Garage door openers typically range from 1 3 to over 1 horsepower. Video game system other security system 1 2 hp garage door opener hair dryer 1250 watts curling iron work diy jobsite quartz halogen work light airless sprayer 1 3 hp reciprocating saw electric drill 3 8 in 4 amps electric drill 1 2 in 5 4 amps circular saw 7 1 4 in. Certain garage doors like those made out of wood can be extremely heavy. Most garage door openers use from 350 to 600 watts with the average at about 500 watts.

And the number of openers can cause this number to vary. It is the cheapest of the three and least power. These and oversized doors over 14 feet in width require a 3 4 hp opener in order for the component to function long term. While it s the most expensive option it s also long lasting and durable with the maximum amount of power.

Heavier or one piece doors may require higher horsepower openers. This size opener is the most popular out of the three and is recommended for single or double garage doors with average weight ex. It s an important safety feature that should be added to every home regardless of where you live. Beginning july 1 2019 all newly sold or installed garage door openers in residential applications are required to have battery backup.

1978 nec garage receptacles first required to be gfci protected. At 500 watts the power needed is just over 4 amps. The state of california has not endorsed these or any other garage door openers with battery backups. Oversized large and heavy doors will need an opener with horsepower ex.

Since amps x volts watts then watts volts amps. It is the second cheapest of the three with medium power. Again this opener will only be efficient when the door is properly balanced and an opener with more horsepower will last longer. So 500 watts 120 volts 4 17 amps.

Electrical outlets those detached garages with electricity must have at least one electrical outlet. An opener with at least 1 2 horsepower is common for residential use. If you have a sectional double car garage door a 1 2 horsepower motor should be sufficient but a higher power model will operate with less effort and less wear and tear on the motor. Look for an opener that has the horsepower necessary for your garage door size based on size and weight.

Read our garage door buying guide to learn about different types of garage doors.