How are garage door springs kept under control?

Question

I understand the basics of how a garage door works – the opener motor is assisted by the spring’s stored energy, otherwise the door would require a *much* larger motor to lift it.

But, some of these springs really look monstrous, and I’m wondering – how is their stored energy controlled? How do we ensure the spring releases just enough energy to assist the motor, and doesn’t just launch the door into orbit?

In: 5

Answer 1

Wow, so my garage door is basically a giant teeter-totter with a sandbag on the other end…I feel smarter already.