How Does an Elevator Light Curtain Work?
In an elevator safety system, there is a small yet crucial component called the elevator light curtain.
It acts like an invisible “safety wall,” silently protecting every passenger who enters or exits the car.
But how exactly does it work? And how can it detect obstacles and respond in just a fraction of a second?
Here, the technical team from A-FLY Elevator & Escalator Parts Supplier provides a detailed explanation.
1. What Is an Elevator Light Curtain?
An elevator light curtain is an intelligent, infrared-based anti-pinch safety device installed on both sides of the elevator doors.
When the doors begin to close, the light curtain projects a grid of infrared beams across the doorway, forming an invisible “safety barrier.”
If a person or object enters this area, the beams are interrupted, triggering the system to stop and reopen the doors immediately.
Compared with traditional mechanical safety edges, the light curtain offers contact-free detection, providing higher sensitivity and faster response, which makes it a standard feature in modern elevators.
2. Working Principle of the Elevator Light Curtain
The light curtain consists mainly of two parts:
the Emitter and the Receiver.
Infrared Transmission
The emitter, mounted on one side of the elevator door, continuously sends out multiple infrared beams across to the receiver on the opposite side.
Signal Detection
When the doors close, the receiver monitors the infrared signals. If any beam is interrupted (for example, by a person, suitcase, or stroller), it instantly detects a break in the signal.
Signal Feedback and Door Response
The control module immediately sends a command to the door operator system to stop and reverse the door movement, all within milliseconds.
Through this infrared cross-beam detection and real-time feedback, the elevator light curtain achieves a non-contact safety protection mechanism.
3. Installation Position of the Light Curtain
Light curtains are typically installed on the car door and landing door frames, with the emitter on one side and the receiver on the other, forming a detection zone across the door.
The coverage area usually ranges from 20 mm above the floor to about 2 meters in height, with beam counts varying from 24 to 194 beams — ensuring that adults, children, pets, and even small objects can be detected.
A-FLY’s elevator light curtain adopts a high-density infrared beam design with fast response speed, suitable for residential, commercial, and barrier-free elevators, ensuring reliable detection of even the smallest obstacles.
4. Advantages of Elevator Light Curtains
High Sensitivity: Response time within 10–20 milliseconds.
Non-Contact Protection: Prevents mechanical wear and delays caused by traditional edges.
Easy Installation: Can replace older safety edge systems directly.
Strong Compatibility: Works with most major door operator brands.
Low Maintenance: Sealed, dust-proof design for long-term reliability.
A-FLY offers various light curtain models, including standard, anti-interference, and high-density series, suitable for different elevator types and safety requirements.
5. A-FLY — Your Reliable Partner in Elevator Safety
As a professional elevator and escalator parts supplier, A-FLY is dedicated to providing high-quality elevator safety components and control systems, including:
Elevator Light Curtain Systems
Elevator Door Operator Boards
Elevator Safety Edges and Emergency Control Devices
All A-FLY light curtain products undergo strict quality testing and offer high stability and long service life, making them ideal for maintenance, modernization, and new installation projects.
6. Conclusion: Small Device, Great Protection
Though small, the elevator light curtain serves as one of the most vital invisible safety lines in modern elevators.
Through invisible infrared protection, it provides passengers with visible peace of mind.
With professional engineering expertise and top-quality products, A-FLY Elevator & Escalator Parts Supplier continues to ensure safety and reliability in every elevator door movement.
Choose A-FLY — keeping safety one step ahead.
