The security of a garage depends on many decisions and measures to be adopted, among them those that concern the change of frequency of the garage control. Many users do not know how important it is, from time to time, to change this frequency to prevent our garage from being exposed and at risk.
The first thing to know in order to change the frequency of the garage remote is that there are several types of devices, with their brands, buttons and frequencies. Each garage remote control works with its own components (from each brand), so a part cannot be exchanged for another manufacturer’s.
Garage remote brands use different frequencies, which can be changed. For that it is necessary to know how many frequencies there are, what they are for and how to change them if necessary.
How does a remote garage control work?
Every garage remote has an internal circuit with a chip that generates a code that is transmitted . In turn, the device contains an electronic part (another chip) that acts as a transmitter. The important thing to understand is that this chip uses a random code to ensure the security of the garage door opener.
The emitter chip stores a 40-bit code, which is “sent” by pressing the button on the controller. This allows the system to detect what the user wants to do: open, close or lock the door, for example.
The receiver chip also has a memory with a 40-bit code. If this receiving chip receives the 40 bits it is expecting (the information from the sender), it performs the desired action. These two chips allow, basically, to synchronize the garage control with a door.
That a remote control matches the receiver code of another remote control is a remote probability, one in millions. Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, it is almost impossible to activate someone else’s remote control either by accident or intentionally.
There are two types of garage controls depending on the code they emit. There are fixed code commands and changing code commands . The former always emit the same code and the latter change it with each press. Both are reliable and safe, according to specialists.
The evolution of garage controls has helped to make this security unbreakable. Older devices sent an 8-bit code based on a single set pattern. It was very easy to capture the signal and retransmit it to open a garage door. Today there is no way to predict the random number with which the sending and receiving chips will be connected.
What is it and how is the frequency of a garage remote identified?
The frequency of a garage door opener is the pathway through which the signal travels from the emitter chip to the receiver chip. In simpler terms: it is the channel that connects the command control with the garage door. Check here for more details about garage door technician at Precisegds.
To change the frequency of a garage remote, you first have to know which one my device has. Usually the knobs have a sticker or how often. Currently, all brands use two: 433.92 MHz and 868 MHz.
There are frequencies that operate with 26.996 MHz and 40.685 MHz, called quartz or Quartz, however they are in disuse and the main brands of garage controls no longer use them.
If the remote does not have any stickers, then the advice is to go to the manufacturer’s website and look for the official manual. The brands offer this information completely free of charge.
Another solution is to use a frequency meter or frequency counter . It is a device that detects and measures the frequency of the transmitter. In this case, the user must keep the remote garage control pressed for a few minutes so that the meter reads the correct frequency.
Change the frequency of the garage remote
Although the security of garage controls is very reliable, there are (minimal) risks with this mechanism. For this reason, HOMYHUB turns garages into smart hubs that can be opened and closed without the need for any device. Garages can be empowered with an easy-to-install device and an application that is simple to use, intuitive and fast.
If you have a wireless garage remote control, security specialists recommend changing its frequency from time to time.
The first thing is to open the battery compartment of the controller and detect the switch. This device has three numbered positions: top, center and bottom, from 1 to 3.
It is very important to write down these positions before making any changes in case you need to reset the code you intend to change.
Then it’s your turn to open the receiver of the garage door mechanism.
Step four is to identify the other switch, which must be in the same positions as the garage remote control.
The last step -and most important- is to change a single position digit in both switches. Once this is done, the frequency code is automatically changed.
Then it only remains to check the operation of the garage control and, for safety, write down the new figure.
