What Is an Elevator Light Curtain and Where Is It Installed?
In modern elevator systems, safety performance is one of the most critical indicators.
With technological advancement, traditional mechanical safety edges have gradually been replaced by smarter electronic safety devices — among them, the elevator light curtain is the most widely used.
So, what exactly is an elevator light curtain, and where is it installed?
Here’s a detailed explanation from the technical team at A-FLY Elevator & Escalator Parts Supplier.
1. What Is an Elevator Light Curtain?
An elevator light curtain, also known as an infrared door sensor or infrared safety protection device, is a safety system based on infrared sensing technology.
It works by emitting and receiving multiple beams of infrared light from both sides of the elevator door, forming an invisible “safety light wall.”
When a person or object enters this detection area, the infrared beams are interrupted.
The light curtain instantly sends a signal to the elevator control system, prompting the doors to stop closing and reopen automatically.
In simple terms: the light curtain’s main function is to prevent the doors from closing on passengers or objects, ensuring safe and smooth operation.
2. How Does an Elevator Light Curtain Work?
The light curtain consists of two main components:
Emitter (Transmitter): emits multiple beams of infrared light;
Receiver: receives the beams and monitors for any interruptions in real time.
When the elevator doors are closing, if any beam is interrupted — for example, by a person, a stroller, or luggage — the receiver detects this change immediately and triggers a “door reopen” command, effectively preventing accidents.
A-FLY’s elevator light curtain products use high-sensitivity infrared sensors with fast response and strong anti-interference capability, ensuring reliable performance even in bright light, dusty, or humid environments.
3. Where Is the Elevator Light Curtain Installed?
The installation position of the light curtain is critical to its detection range and safety performance.
Typically, the light curtain is mounted on both door frames of the car door and landing door:
The emitter is usually installed on the left side;
The receiver is usually installed on the right side;
The beams form a dense grid across the doorway to detect obstacles.
The detection height usually covers the entire door opening — from about 20 mm above the floor to around 2 meters high, providing full-range protection.
This ensures that adults, children, pets, and luggage can all be detected, preventing accidental trapping during door movement.
A-FLY’s elevator light curtain adopts a multi-beam infrared system (from 24 to 194 beams) that ensures comprehensive protection for residential, commercial, and barrier-free elevators.
4. Advantages of Elevator Light Curtains
High Sensitivity: Reacts within milliseconds to obstacles.
Contact-Free Protection: Detects without physical touch, unlike mechanical safety edges.
Easy Installation: Compatible with various door operator systems and brands.
Low Maintenance: Durable, energy-efficient, and long service life.
A-FLY offers multiple series of elevator light curtains — from economic to commercial-grade and anti-interference models, with multi-beam configurations (32, 64, 174, and more) to meet diverse project requirements.
5. A-FLY — Providing Safety for Elevators Worldwide
A-FLY has specialized in elevator and escalator safety systems and parts for many years, offering:
Elevator Door Operator Controllers
Elevator Safety Edges
All products undergo strict quality testing, are compatible with major elevator brands, and ensure safer, more stable operation.
6. Conclusion: Smart Light Curtains, Reliable Safety
Although small, the elevator light curtain serves as an invisible but powerful safety barrier that protects passengers every day.
Choosing a high-quality light curtain not only reduces accidents but also enhances the intelligence and reliability of the entire elevator system.
A-FLY Elevator & Escalator Parts Supplier provides durable, high-performance light curtain solutions —
making every elevator door smarter, safer, and more dependable.
Choose A-FLY — because safety starts with details.
