OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER MW-IR Combination Sensor for Industrial Doors
VIDEO OF PRODUCT
The OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER is a combination microwave and active infrared sensor designed for industrial door applications. It is commonly used where forklifts, vehicles, carts, equipment, and pedestrians move through the same doorway and the door needs reliable activation along with supplemental threshold safety detection.
This sensor uses microwave detection for the larger approach area and active infrared detection near the door threshold. The microwave field helps detect approaching vehicles and traffic so the door can open at the right time. The active infrared field helps provide supplemental safety around the threshold area, where people, vehicles, or objects may be present as the door is moving.
The OAM-EXPLORER is a good fit for industrial overhead doors, high-speed doors, roll-up doors, warehouse doors, loading dock doors, service bay doors, parking structure doors, and other commercial door openings where normal pedestrian-style automatic door sensors may not provide the right detection pattern or mounting range.
One of the main advantages of the OAM-EXPLORER is that it combines activation and supplemental safety functions in one industrial door sensor. This can help reduce unwanted door openings, improve traffic flow, support temperature separation between areas, and improve awareness around door openings where vehicles and pedestrians may approach from different directions.
The sensor also supports smartphone app setup and fine-tuning. Once the sensor is mounted and wired, an installer can adjust settings from the ground instead of repeatedly climbing a ladder to make small changes. This is helpful in facilities with multiple doors, high mounting points, or repeated sensor setups across similar openings.
The OAM-EXPLORER should be treated as an industrial door sensor, not as a gate operator, door operator, standalone access control device, or universal replacement for every automatic door sensor. Compatibility depends on the door operator input type, required activation wiring, required safety wiring, mounting height, mounting location, and the detection area needed for the application.
What This Sensor Does
- Provides microwave activation detection for approaching vehicles, forklifts, carts, and pedestrians
- Provides active infrared supplemental safety detection near the door threshold
- Supports industrial door openings with higher mounting locations than many standard door sensors
- Helps reduce unnecessary door openings when properly adjusted for the site
- Can be configured and fine-tuned using the compatible smartphone app
- Provides separate relay outputs for activation, supplemental safety, and AUX / pre-notification functions
- May be used with compatible warning lights, alarms, strobes, or sounders through the proper output or accessory setup
Common Use Cases
- Adding activation and supplemental safety detection to an industrial overhead door
- Replacing an existing OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER sensor with the same model
- Improving forklift and vehicle detection at a warehouse door
- Adding threshold safety detection to a compatible industrial door installation
- Reducing unnecessary openings on temperature-controlled or separation-critical doors
- Improving traffic flow at loading docks, shipping areas, service bays, and parking structures
- Adding AUX / pre-notification output for compatible warning devices
- Using one sensor platform for similar industrial doors across a facility
Compatible With
The OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER is designed for compatible industrial door applications where the door operator can accept the sensor output and where the sensor can be mounted at the correct height and angle for the opening.
- Industrial overhead door applications
- Commercial overhead door applications
- High-speed industrial door applications
- Roll-up door applications
- Sectional industrial door applications where mounting layout is suitable
- Warehouse and loading dock door openings
- Factory and manufacturing facility door openings
- Shipping and receiving door openings
- Service bay and vehicle bay door openings
- Parking structure and vehicle access door openings
- Compatible door operators with separate inputs for activation, safety, or auxiliary functions
- Compatible systems using external warning lights, alarms, strobes, buzzers, or sounders through the correct relay output or accessory arrangement
Important: Compatibility is based on the door operator input wiring, mounting height, mounting location, detection-field requirements, and safety requirements for the door. Do not assume this sensor is compatible with every industrial door operator or every automatic door system without checking the operator wiring diagram and sensor layout.
Compatible Accessories and Related Items
- OPTEX OAM-Mount - 36 inch mounting bracket for OAM-EXPLORER applications
- OPTEX OAM-Explorer Mount - alternate listing name for the 36 inch OAM-Mount
- OPTEX OAM-S-Mount - sectional door mounting kit for OAM-EXPLORER applications
- OPTEX OAM-Explorer RH - rain hood for OAM-EXPLORER sensor protection
- OPTEX LINK-BT1C - wireless dry contact converter for OAM-EXPLORER applications
- OPTEX LINK-BT1 - related base model reference for the wireless dry contact converter
- Compatible warning lights, horns, strobes, buzzers, and alert sounders where properly powered and wired
Accessory note: Mounting brackets, rain hood, wireless converter, warning devices, extra wiring, door operator, and other accessories are separate items unless the product listing specifically states that they are included.
Not Intended For
- Replacing a gate operator, garage door opener, or industrial door operator
- Standalone access control without a compatible door operator or control system
- Universal use on every automatic door sensor application
- Replacing a dedicated monitored safety device unless the door operator and safety requirements allow this sensor layout
- Replacing photo eyes, safety edges, loop detectors, vehicle detectors, or control boards without confirming the full system design
- Door openings where the sensor cannot be mounted at the proper height, angle, or location
- Applications where moving door sections, tracks, springs, cables, or header obstructions block the detection field
- Outdoor or exposed applications without the correct weather protection and mounting accessories
Features & Specifications
| Feature / Specification | Details |
| Manufacturer | OPTEX |
| Product Type | Combination industrial door sensor |
| Part Number | OAM-EXPLORER |
| Alternate Part Reference | OPTEX-OAM-Explorer, OAM-EXPLORER US, depending on supplier listing and region |
| Application | Activation and supplemental safety detection for compatible industrial doors |
| Detection Technologies | Microwave Doppler detection and active infrared reflection |
| Microwave Function | Large approach detection area for activation |
| Infrared Function | Supplemental safety detection near the threshold area |
| AIR Detection Rows | Commonly referenced with first-row and second/third-row active infrared detection indicators; verify current regional specification if row count is critical |
| Mounting Height | 6 ft 7 in to 19 ft 8 in, depending on application and setup |
| Microwave Frequency | 24.2 GHz |
| Microwave Angle Adjustment | 0 degrees to +50 degrees, based on OPTEX specification |
| AIR Angle Adjustment | -15 degrees to +40 degrees, based on OPTEX specification |
| Power Supply | 12 to 24VAC +/-10% or 12 to 30VDC +/-10% |
| Power Consumption | Less than 3.5W, or less than 5.0VA at AC, based on common OPTEX specification |
| Communication Method | Bluetooth LE for setup and compatible accessory communication |
| Activation Output | Relay output for activation function; verify Form A / Form B requirement with current product label and operator wiring |
| Supplemental Safety Output | Relay output for supplemental safety function; verify output logic before wiring |
| AUX / Pre-Notification Output | Relay output for compatible warning or pre-notification applications |
| Relay Rating | Commonly listed as 50V, 0.3A maximum resistive load for relay outputs |
| Output Hold Time | Approx. 0.5 second, selectable through the app where supported |
| Response Time | Less than 0.3 second, selectable through the app where supported |
| Operating Temperature | -31 degrees F to 131 degrees F, based on common OPTEX specification |
| Operating Humidity | Less than 80%, based on common OPTEX specification |
| Protection Rating | IP65 / NEMA 4, based on common OPTEX specification |
| Approximate Weight | 21.2 oz / 600 g |
| Common Included Items | Operation manual, mounting screws, mounting template, and cable may be included depending on current packaging |
| Color | Black |
| Notes | Confirm door operator inputs, output logic, mounting height, detection field, app setup, and accessory needs before ordering. |
Also Known As / Related Part Numbers
- OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER
- OAM-EXPLORER
- OAM Explorer
- OAMEXPLORER
- OPTEX-OAM-Explorer
- OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER US
- OAM-EXPLORER US
- OPTEX MW-IR combination sensor
- MW-IR with 3 rows combination sensor
- MW IR industrial door sensor
- OPTEX combination active infrared and microwave sensor
- OPTEX industrial door sensor
- OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER activation and safety sensor
- A10031492, distributor item reference used in some listings
Related Products and Accessories
- OPTEX OAM-Mount - 36 inch mounting bracket for OAM-EXPLORER
- OPTEX OAM-Explorer Mount - alternate listing name for the 36 inch mounting bracket
- OPTEX OAM-S-Mount - sectional door mounting kit for OAM-EXPLORER
- OPTEX OAM-Explorer RH - rain hood for OAM-EXPLORER
- OPTEX LINK-BT1C - wireless dry contact converter for OAM-EXPLORER
- OPTEX LINK-BT1 - related wireless dry contact converter reference
- Compatible warning lights, horns, strobes, buzzers, and alert sounders where properly powered and wired
Technician Note
The OAM-EXPLORER is installation-sensitive. Correct performance depends on mounting height, mounting angle, door type, detection-field setup, wiring, relay output selection, and app configuration. A sensor can be powered and still perform poorly if it is aimed incorrectly, mounted in a vibrating location, or set with the wrong detection pattern for the traffic flow.
Before installation, confirm whether the door needs separate activation, supplemental safety, and pre-notification outputs. The OAM-EXPLORER provides multiple relay functions, but the door operator and any warning device must be wired to the correct output for the intended function.
For high-speed doors, loading dock doors, or doors used by forklifts and pedestrians, the detection area should be tested with the actual traffic expected at the site. Forklift approach speed, pedestrian path, door speed, vehicle height, floor color, door vibration, weather exposure, and nearby moving equipment can all affect final sensor setup.
Before Ordering, Confirm
- The required sensor is the OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER, not the OAM-Mount, OAM-S-Mount, OAM-Explorer RH, or LINK-BT1C accessory.
- The door is an industrial, commercial, high-speed, overhead, roll-up, or similar application suitable for this sensor type.
- The mounting height is within the supported range for the application.
- The door operator can accept the required activation and supplemental safety outputs.
- The power supply available at the door matches the sensor requirements.
- The sensor has a clear view of the required microwave activation and active infrared safety areas.
- The mounting surface is stable and will not vibrate excessively during door movement.
- Any required mounting bracket, rain hood, sectional door mount, wireless converter, or warning device is ordered separately.
- The installer has access to the compatible smartphone app for setup and fine-tuning.
- The door will be tested after installation for proper activation, safety response, and operator behavior.
Professional Advisory
This sensor should be installed and adjusted by a qualified automatic door, industrial door, or low-voltage technician familiar with activation and supplemental safety sensors. Incorrect mounting, wiring, or field adjustment can cause missed detection, false activation, unexpected door movement, or unsafe operation around the threshold.
Do not use this sensor to bypass required photoeyes, safety edges, monitored sensors, presence detection, door controls, or code-required safety devices. The OAM-EXPLORER can support activation and supplemental safety functions, but it must be wired and tested as part of the complete door system.
After installation, test the full door cycle with real site conditions. Confirm that vehicles, forklifts, carts, and pedestrians are detected as intended, that the door opens and closes correctly, and that any connected warning light, horn, strobe, or pre-notification device activates at the proper time.
Product Q&A
Is the OPTEX OAM-EXPLORER an activation sensor or a safety sensor?
The OAM-EXPLORER is both. It uses microwave detection for activation and active infrared detection for supplemental safety around the door threshold.
What types of doors is the OAM-EXPLORER used on?
It is commonly used on industrial overhead doors, high-speed doors, roll-up doors, warehouse doors, loading dock doors, service bay doors, parking structure doors, and similar commercial door openings.
Does the OAM-EXPLORER include the 36 inch mounting bracket?
No. The 36 inch OAM-Mount / OAM-Explorer Mount should be treated as a separate accessory unless the product listing specifically states that it is included.
Does this sensor work with the LINK-BT1C wireless dry contact converter?
Yes, the LINK-BT1C is a related accessory for OAM-EXPLORER applications. It converts compatible wireless approach information from the OAM-EXPLORER into a dry-contact output for remote warning devices.
Can this sensor be adjusted from a smartphone?
Yes. The OAM-EXPLORER supports configuration and fine-tuning through the compatible smartphone app, which can reduce ladder time during setup and service.
Is the OAM-EXPLORER a universal replacement for any industrial door sensor?
No. It should be matched to the door type, mounting height, operator inputs, detection requirements, output wiring, and site conditions. Always verify the application before replacing a different sensor model.
