Choose a quality set of industrial infrared photoelectric sensors. It is imperative that sensors are used on an automatic door, not just to open the door, but to prevent the door from closing with a person or object underneath. Photoelectric sensors are ideal for this application because they do not require the door to make contact with the subject to detect their presence. Ultimately, the manufacturer should provide wiring diagrams and installation instructions to help interface sensors or other input devices with the door controller, but the following instructions should give you a general idea of how they should be used.
Mount the photoelectric sensors in a through-beam configuration. This will save you a lot of trouble later. Do not try to mount the photo eyes on one side and use a reflector on the other because you will find yourself constantly cleaning the reflector. Infrared photoelectric sensors provide a stronger and much more reliable beam when they are mounted across from each other. If the photoelectric system that you are using includes an external amplifier, compare the voltage ratings for the photoelectric system and the PLC. If they are a match, connect the output from the amplifier to the door's PLC input card.
Configure the photoelectric system to output all the time, but then take away that output when the photo eyes detect something. This is commonly listed by the manufacturer as a feature known as "Normally Closed", "Light Operate", or "Make Switching." Program the PLC to interpret an output from the photoelectric system as a "false" condition and the absence of that output as a "true" condition. When the PLC reads a "true" condition, it should open the door, and when the condition returns to "false" it should close the door. This does two things, it opens the door when an object is detected and also if the photoelectric system experiences a fault or loss of power.
Related products and information
Infrared photoelectric sensors for automatic door applications
Infrared photoelectric amplifier for use with photoelectric sensors
Automatic door applications webpage
