An emergency key disconnect is a useful feature that allows you to access your garage at any time. With the wide array of features and add-ons available for garage doors—such as LED lights, trolley shields, and deadbolts—it can be challenging to decide which ones are necessary for your lifestyle. However, certain features, like the emergency key disconnect, can be particularly beneficial.
Why Might You Need an Emergency Key Disconnect? #
An emergency key disconnect is essential if you have a vaulted garage, which means the garage only has one entry point: the garage door itself. This situation is common with detached garages, as they lack an internal entryway from the home. If your garage door opener malfunctions or you experience a power outage, you might be unable to access your garage. The garage door opener not only opens and closes the door but also keeps it secure against intruders by maintaining pressure on the door. The emergency key disconnect provides a way to release the locking mechanism from outside, allowing manual operation of the door. There is no need to install an emergency key disconnect on a garage that has an alternative entrance.
How Does the Emergency Key Disconnect Work? #
The emergency key disconnect is installed on the center of the top panel of the garage door for optimal access to the trolley. It only comes in silver, making it more visible on darker doors. The key disconnect is attached to the garage door trolley, which is part of the opener system. The trolley moves along the motor rail and connects to the top of the garage door, enabling the motor to open and close it. When the emergency key disconnect cable is pulled, it disengages the trolley from the motorized opener, allowing you to manually operate the garage door.
To use the emergency key disconnect, insert the key and turn the tumbler to unlock it. Then, pull the cable attached to the tumbler, and it will disengage the trolley from the opener.
What to Do When Your Garage Door Opener is Working Again #
Once power is restored or your garage door opener is repaired, you’ll need to re-engage the trolley with the opener. With the garage door closed, fish the wire back into the garage, insert the tumbler, and lock it in place with the key. Store the key in a safe place for future use.
While you may have a reliable garage door opener and think you don’t need a key and cable system, an emergency key disconnect can be invaluable during a power outage or equipment failure. It’s worth considering, especially if your garage door is the sole access point to your garage.
