BFT IR Polarized Reflective Photocell with Hood
The BFT IR Polarized Reflective Photocell with Hood is a retro-reflective photo eye sensor used for compatible automatic gate systems, barrier gate systems, garage door operators, perimeter security layouts, and access-control openings. It helps detect when a vehicle, person, cart, trailer, or other obstruction interrupts the photo beam across the protected opening.
This photocell uses a reflective beam layout. The powered sensor mounts on one side of the opening, and the reflector with hood mounts directly across from it on the opposite side. The sensor sends an infrared beam to the reflector, and the reflector returns that beam back to the sensor. When the beam is blocked, the sensor output changes state and signals the connected gate or door control system according to the operator wiring setup.
A reflective photoeye is often used when it is difficult or expensive to run wiring to both sides of a driveway or gate opening. Unlike a through-beam photoeye, which uses a powered transmitter on one side and a powered receiver on the other, this BFT reflective photocell normally requires power and control wiring only on the sensor side. The other side uses the reflector and hood.
The polarized design helps the sensor focus on the proper reflected beam instead of being fooled by random reflections from water, bright surfaces, sand, glass, or shiny gate hardware. This can help improve reliability in outdoor gate environments where rain, dew, fog, sunlight, and reflective surfaces may affect basic photo beam systems.
This product should not be treated as a universal replacement for every gate opener photoeye. Compatibility depends on the gate operator control board, safety input type, monitored-device requirement, voltage, wiring method, reflector alignment, and the exact BFT photocell version being used. Some newer UL325 gate operators require monitored entrapment protection and may require a 10K monitored version or a manufacturer-approved monitored safety device.
What This Photocell Does
- Provides non-contact obstruction detection across a compatible gate, door, or access-control opening
- Uses a powered infrared sensor and a reflector with hood
- Helps signal the operator when the beam is interrupted
- Reduces wiring compared with a through-beam transmitter and receiver pair
- Uses polarized reflective sensing to help reduce false reflections
- Provides LED alignment indication for easier setup
- May be used for safety, stop, reverse, open-protect, close-protect, or monitored entrapment inputs where supported by the operator
Common Use Cases
- Replacing an existing BFT polarized reflective photocell
- Adding a reflective photoeye to a compatible slide gate operator
- Adding a reflective photoeye to a compatible swing gate operator
- Adding a photo beam to a compatible barrier gate or parking gate system
- Adding obstruction detection to a compatible garage door or commercial door control system
- Using a reflector-style photoeye where wiring to the far side of the driveway is not practical
- Replacing a damaged photoeye after impact, water intrusion, wiring damage, or alignment issues
- Protecting a gate or access-control opening where a reflective photo beam is approved by the operator manufacturer
Compatible With
The BFT IR Polarized Reflective Photocell may be used with select gate, garage door, barrier gate, and access-control systems that provide compatible power and accept the correct photoeye output. Compatibility should be verified by the operator manual and wiring diagram, not by brand name alone.
- Select BFT gate operator systems with compatible photocell inputs
- Select automatic slide gate operators with compatible safety, stop, reverse, open-protect, or close-protect inputs
- Select automatic swing gate operators with compatible external photoeye or entrapment protection inputs
- Select barrier gate and parking gate systems that accept reflective photoeye wiring
- Select garage door and commercial door control systems using compatible external photocell inputs
- Select access-control and perimeter security applications requiring an infrared reflective beam sensor
- Select operators that accept a non-polarity AC/DC reflective photocell power input, where the exact version and wiring are confirmed
- Select UL / monitored safety applications only when the installed version and operator input support the required 10K or monitored wiring method
Important: Do not advertise this photoeye as fitting every gate opener without qualification. Some operators require a monitored photoeye, a specific resistor value, a pulsed monitored signal, a through-beam layout, or a manufacturer-approved sensor. Always verify the operator manual before ordering or installing this photocell.
Commonly Associated Gate and Door Applications
- BFT swing gate operator applications where a reflective photocell is specified
- BFT slide gate operator applications where a reflective photocell is specified
- BFT barrier gate applications where a reflective beam is approved
- Residential driveway gate systems with compatible safety input wiring
- Commercial gate systems with compatible photocell inputs
- Parking control systems using approved external photo beams
- Garage door and perimeter security applications where the sensor output and voltage are compatible
Reflective Sensor Layout
This photocell uses a sensor-and-reflector layout. The sensor side contains the powered photoelectric device. The reflector side does not require electrical wiring, but it must be mounted firmly, kept clean, and aimed directly back toward the sensor.
The reflector hood helps protect the reflector from direct sun, rain, dirt, and nuisance reflections, but it does not replace proper alignment. If the reflector is dirty, cracked, loose, mounted at the wrong angle, or blocked by gate pickets, landscaping, signs, vehicles, or insects, the operator may show a safety fault or fail to close.
Not Intended For
- Every gate opener without checking the operator manual
- Through-beam photoeye applications that require a powered transmitter and powered receiver
- Replacing a monitored UL325 safety device unless the correct monitored version is confirmed
- Operators that require a different resistor value, pulsed monitored output, or proprietary monitored sensor
- Direct switching of gate motors, garage door motors, maglocks, or high-voltage loads
- Replacing a loop detector, vehicle detector, safety edge, receiver, access control board, or gate operator
- Applications where the reflector cannot be mounted directly across from the sensor
- Unsafe gates with binding hardware, dragging rollers, worn hinges, damaged tracks, or unresolved operator faults
Features & Specifications
| Feature / Specification |
Details |
| Manufacturer |
BFT |
| Product Type |
IR polarized reflective photocell / retro-reflective photo eye |
| Common Part Number |
KIRPOLAPHOT001 |
| Related UL / 10K Version |
KIRPOLAPHOT01UL / BFT-KIRPOLAPHOTO1UL, depending on supplier listing and inventory label |
| Application |
Obstruction detection for compatible gate, barrier, garage door, and access-control systems |
| Compatible Operator Type |
Select operators with compatible reflective photocell input wiring |
| Sensing Method |
Polarized retro-reflective infrared beam |
| Beam Layout |
One powered sensor with reflector and hood mounted across the opening |
| Light Source |
Red infrared LED element |
| Typical Sensing Range |
Commonly listed around 32 ft to 35 ft, depending on version, alignment, reflector condition, and site conditions |
| Reflector |
Round reflector, commonly listed around 80 mm diameter, with hood |
| Input Voltage |
Commonly listed as AC/DC 12-250V non-polarity on standard listings; some listings show 24VAC / 24VDC or UL/10K-specific requirements. Verify the product label before wiring. |
| Monitoring Note |
UL / 10K versions may include a 10K resistor for monitored gate operator applications; confirm exact version before listing as monitored. |
| Alignment Indicator |
Twin-color LED indicator for beam alignment on common BFT reflective photocell listings |
| Tamper Switches |
Tamper switches commonly listed on Gate Openers Unlimited product information |
| Weather Protection |
IP66 waterproof / cable gland on common product listings |
| Casing |
PMMA upper casing, commonly described as anti-fog, anti-dew, and rain-resistant |
| Common Included Items |
Sensor and reflector with hood; verify current packaging for mounting hardware or resistor inclusion |
| Notes |
Confirm exact BFT part number, monitored or non-monitored version, voltage, reflector placement, safety input type, and operator compatibility before ordering. |
Also Known As / Related Part Numbers
- BFT KIRPOLAPHOT001
- KIRPOLAPHOT001
- BFT-KIRPOLAPHOT001
- BFT KIRPOLAPHOT01UL
- KIRPOLAPHOT01UL
- BFT-KIRPOLAPHOT01UL
- BFT-KIRPOLAPHOTO1UL
- KIRPOLAPHOTO1UL
- BFT polarized reflective photocell
- BFT IR polarized reflective photocell
- BFT reflective photo eye with hood
- BFT polarized photo beam
- BFT retro-reflective photocell
- BFT reflective photocell safety device
- BFT gate photo eye sensor
- BFT photo eye for gate system
Related version note: KIRPOLAPHOT001 and KIRPOLAPHOT01UL may be listed differently by suppliers. The UL / 10K version should not be assumed unless the package label, supplier record, or included documentation confirms it. If your operator requires monitored UL325 entrapment protection, verify the exact BFT version before ordering.
Related Items and Accessories
- Replacement reflector for reflective photoeye applications, where compatible
- Reflector hood or reflector cover, where supplied separately
- Photoeye mounting post or bracket, where required by the site layout
- Low-voltage safety sensor wiring, where required by the operator manual
- Protective cover, bollard, curb, or post protection where the sensor is exposed to vehicle impact
- Compatible monitored safety devices where required by the gate operator manufacturer
Technician Note
The main ordering risk with this product is confusing the standard polarized reflective photocell with the UL / 10K monitored version. If the gate operator requires a monitored photoeye, confirm whether the part being ordered includes the 10K resistor or approved monitored output required by that operator. A sensor may power up and align correctly but still fail if the control board does not recognize it as the correct monitored safety device.
Reflective photoeyes are also sensitive to alignment and reflector placement. The reflector must be mounted directly across from the sensor, kept clean, and protected from vibration. A loose reflector, dirty hood, poor aim, sunlight angle, sprinkler spray, gate movement, or landscaping in the beam path can create nuisance reversals or a gate that will not close.
Do not wire this photocell directly to high-voltage motor circuits, gate motor leads, maglock power, or unsafe loads. The photoeye should be wired only according to the operator manual and the sensor instructions.
Before Ordering, Confirm
- The exact BFT part number needed is KIRPOLAPHOT001, KIRPOLAPHOT01UL, or another confirmed BFT reflective photocell version.
- The operator accepts a polarized reflective photocell with sensor and reflector layout.
- The available voltage matches the actual product label and operator wiring method.
- The installation requires a retro-reflective sensor, not a through-beam transmitter and receiver pair.
- The gate operator does not require a different manufacturer-approved monitored safety device.
- If monitored UL325 protection is required, the photocell version includes the correct 10K or monitored output method.
- The reflector can be mounted directly across from the sensor with a clear beam path.
- The included reflector, hood, cable gland, and mounting parts match the installation needs.
- The photoeye location matches the required open or close entrapment zone for the operator.
- The gate or door moves freely and does not have mechanical binding, dragging rollers, worn hinges, damaged tracks, or unresolved control-board faults.
Professional Advisory
This photocell is part of a gate or door safety system. Installation should be performed by a qualified gate, garage door, commercial door, or access-control technician when the operator wiring, monitored safety input, UL325 requirements, or voltage is not clearly understood.
Never bypass, remove, or disable required photoeyes, safety edges, loop detectors, monitored entrapment protection, or other safety devices to make a gate run. If the operator will not close because of a photoeye fault, the fault should be diagnosed and corrected instead of bypassed.
After installation, test the complete operating cycle. Block the beam and confirm that the operator stops, reverses, or responds exactly as required by the operator manual. Also verify reflector alignment, LED status, safety input status, and all other required entrapment protection devices before returning the system to service.
Product Q&A
Is this BFT photocell a reflective photoeye?
Yes. This is a polarized retro-reflective photocell that uses one powered sensor and a reflector with hood mounted across the opening.
What is the sensing range?
This BFT reflective photocell is commonly listed with a sensing range around 32 ft to 35 ft, depending on the version, reflector alignment, mounting surface, weather conditions, and site layout.
Does this photocell include the reflector?
Common BFT listings for this product include the sensor and reflector with hood. Confirm the current product packaging if mounting hardware, conduit fittings, or a 10K resistor are required.
Is this compatible with all gate openers?
No. It may be used with select compatible gate, barrier, garage door, and access-control systems, but the operator must support the required voltage, output wiring, and safety input type.
Is KIRPOLAPHOT001 the same as KIRPOLAPHOT01UL?
Not always. KIRPOLAPHOT001 is commonly listed as the BFT polarized reflective photocell, while KIRPOLAPHOT01UL is commonly associated with a UL / 10K version. Verify the product label and operator requirement before ordering.
Can this replace a through-beam photoeye?
Not directly in most cases. A through-beam photoeye uses a powered transmitter and powered receiver. This BFT photocell uses one powered sensor and a reflector, so the wiring and safety input requirements may be different.
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