Why does my door keep opening and closing on its own ("Ghosting")?

Ghosting occurs when environmental factors or mechanical movement continuously re-trigger the sensor. The most common cause is steep sensor angle alignment, which causes the radar or infrared field to clip the moving door leaves, misinterpreting panel movement as an approaching pedestrian. Additional causes include header vibration transferring movement directly into the sensor head, air currents from nearby HVAC vents, moving draft curtains, falling precipitation, flickering fluorescent lights, or highly reflective flooring within the detection zone.

Are sensor wire colors universal across all brands?

No, wire colors are not standardized across manufacturers, and relying on them is a frequent installation error. While many common 4-wire systems (such as BEA or Optex) use red and black for power alongside white and green for relay activation, European or 5-wire configurations often use brown, blue, black, grey, and white for power and relay logic (N.O., N.C., COM). Technicians must always verify terminal legends printed directly on the sensor housing or PCB rather than relying on wire jacket colors.

Can I power the sensor directly from the door controller?

Yes, standard commercial door operators (such as Dorma, Besam/Assa Abloy, Stanley, or Nabco) include dedicated 12-24 V AC/DC auxiliary power terminals designed specifically for external sensors and accessories. However, installers must verify that the cumulative current draw (mA) of all connected accessories does not exceed the controller's maximum auxiliary output limit, which typically ranges between 100 mA and 500 mA.

Why does my automatic door stay open after installing a new sensor?

A door locked in the open state indicates that the controller is receiving a continuous activation or safety trip signal. This is most frequently caused by wiring to a Normally Closed ($N.C.$) relay output instead of a Normally Open ($N.O.$) contact, misconfiguring output logic DIP switches (e.g., Active High vs. Active Low or Fail-Safe modes), or an active infrared presence curtain being constantly tripped by floor reflections, misaligned tilt angles, or static threshold obstacles.

Where can I find the correct automatic sliding door sensor wiring diagram?

Exact wiring schematics can be found printed directly inside the removable sensor faceplate or on the PCB terminal legend. For complete system integration, installers should consult the official installation manuals for both the sensor model (e.g., BEA IXIO, Optex OA-Axis) and the door operator (e.g., Dorma ES200, Besam Unislide) to correctly pair activation, safety, monitoring, and power terminals.