A sensing edge is the bottom seal that stops and reverses a commercial door when it contacts an obstruction. Manaras builds two ME-123 variants — non-monitored (SENSEDGE044U) and monitored (SENSEDGE044UM) — both cut to the quarter-inch and mount vertically or horizontally on sectional doors. The difference is not the rubber profile. It is what the operator board expects to see on the circuit.

Non-Monitored vs Monitored: The Board Decides

The non-monitored edge (SENSEDGE044U) is a simple 2-wire normally-open contact. Press the bottom bar, the circuit closes, the board sees the signal and reverses. It pairs with Manaras BOARD070E or electromechanical controls. No self-test occurs. If a wire breaks or the edge is damaged, the door will not know until something hits it.

The monitored edge (SENSEDGE044UM) adds a resistor-terminated loop that the BOARD070M checks continuously. The board sends a supervision signal through the edge. If the circuit opens, shorts, or the resistance drifts, the board faults the door and prevents operation until the fault clears. This satisfies UL 325 monitored entrapment protection requirements for primary edge devices. The monitored edge requires the Signature Interface Module (INTERFACE002, sold separately) to translate the supervision signal for the BOARD070M.

You cannot swap one for the other without changing the control board. A BOARD070E will not supervise a monitored edge. A BOARD070M will fault on a non-monitored edge. Check the board label before ordering.

Wiring and Mounting Options

Both edges cut to the nearest 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) and ship with universal wire outlets — you choose the exit point at install. Standard mount is horizontal along the bottom section. Vertical mount on the jamb is available for doors with uneven floors or where the bottom seal takes repeated forklift hits.

Three accessory kits change how the cable reaches the operator:

Mounting channel — aluminum C-track that holds the edge and protects the wire run along the bottom section.
Coil cord — retractable cable for doors where the operator hangs center-headroom and the edge travels the full door height.
Retracting reel — spring-loaded take-up for high-cycle or vertical-lift doors where a coil cord would sag or snag.

The monitored edge with INTERFACE002 adds one small enclosure near the operator. Mount it where the coil cord or reel terminates. The module does not require power; it passes the supervision loop through to the BOARD070M.

Failure Modes You See in the Field

Non-monitored edges fail silently. A forklift tine slices the rubber, the wires separate, and the door becomes a guillotine. The operator runs normally until something — or someone — is under it. Inspect the bottom edge monthly. Look for cuts, crushed profile, and wire insulation worn through at the outlet.

Monitored edges fail loudly. A nicked wire or water in the splice changes the loop resistance. The BOARD070M faults the door, usually with a flashing code or display message. The door will not close until the fault clears. This is the feature working. Do not bypass the module. Replace the damaged section or the full edge.

Both types share a weak point: the wire outlet. Water enters, corrodes the crimp, and the resistance shifts. Seal the outlet with silicone or heat-shrink at install. Route the wire so it cannot be pinched by the bottom roller bracket when the door closes.

UL 325 and the Primary vs Ancillary Distinction

UL 325 recognizes both edges as components. The non-monitored edge is listed as an ancillary entrapment protection device. It supplements a primary device — typically photo eyes. The monitored edge is listed as a primary external entrapment protection device. It can stand alone as the sole reversing mechanism at the bottom, provided the board supervises it.

If your door relies on photo eyes for primary protection and the edge is backup, the non-monitored edge is compliant. If the edge is the only bottom protection — no photo eyes, or photo eyes disabled for wash-down environments — you need the monitored edge with BOARD070M and INTERFACE002.

AHJs in Metro Vancouver increasingly ask for monitored edges on new installs and major retrofits. If you are permitting a door, confirm the requirement before specifying.

Sizing and Ordering

Measure the clear opening width between the vertical tracks. Order the edge 1/4 inch shorter than that dimension to allow for track brackets and end caps. Manaras cuts to the quarter-inch; do not round to the nearest foot.

Specify:

1. Model — SENSEDGE044U or SENSEDGE044UM

2. Length — exact, in inches

3. Wire outlet — left, right, or center (universal outlets let you decide on site, but pre-specifying avoids field cuts)

4. Mounting — horizontal (standard) or vertical

5. Accessories — channel, coil cord, reel, INTERFACE002 (monitored only)

Lead time is typically one to two business days for cut edges. Coil cords and reels may add a day.

When to Replace the Whole Edge vs Repair

A clean cut in the rubber profile under 6 inches long can be spliced with a manufacturer-approved kit — new contact wires, resistor (monitored), and sealant. Longer damage, crushed mounting channel, or corrosion at the wire outlet means full replacement. The labor to splice cleanly equals the labor to swap the edge. The liability of a failed splice is not worth the material savings.

On monitored edges, any splice changes the loop resistance. The INTERFACE002 and BOARD070M must re-learn the baseline after the repair. Follow the board’s calibration procedure. If the board will not accept the new resistance, the splice is out of tolerance — replace the edge.

Maintenance That Prevents Callbacks

Monthly: wipe the edge profile clean. Dirt and grit abrade the rubber and hide cuts.
Quarterly: tug the wire gently at the outlet. If it moves, the strain relief has failed. Re-secure and seal.
Annually: test the reversal. Place a 2×4 flat on the floor under the center of the door. Close the door. It must reverse on contact. On monitored edges, verify the board shows no fault codes after the test.
After any impact: inspect the edge, channel, and wire run. A bent bottom bar will hold the edge off the floor in spots, creating a gap the sensor cannot cover.

Bottom Line

Match the edge to the board. Non-monitored for BOARD070E and electromechanical controls where photo eyes carry primary protection. Monitored with INTERFACE002 for BOARD070M where the edge is primary or the AHJ requires it. Cut to length, seal the outlet, test monthly. The rubber wears. The wire fails. The board only knows if you bought the monitored version.

INTERNAL_LINKS:

[Commercial Door Safety Devices Explained] -> commercial-door-safety-devices-guide
[Photo Eye and Safety Edge Repair Vancouver] -> photo-eye-safety-edge-repair-vancouver
[Manaras Operator Repair Vancouver] -> manaras-commercial-operator-repair-vancouver
[Commercial Garage Door Operators — Types, Specs, and How to Choose] -> commercial-door-operators

FACTS_USED:

SENSEDGE044U: 2-wire NO, non-monitored, compatible with BOARD070E, UL325 recognized, cut to 1/4″, universal outlets, vertical/horizontal mount -> MANUFACTURER SPEC EXTRACTS (SENSEDGE044U)
SENSEDGE044UM: monitored primary device, compatible with BOARD070M, requires INTERFACE002, UL325 recognized, cut to 1/4″, universal outlets, vertical/horizontal mount -> MANUFACTURER SPEC EXTRACTS (SENSEDGE044UM)
Options: mounting channel, coil cord, retracting reel, INTERFACE002 -> MANUFACTURER SPEC EXTRACTS (both sheets)
CCGDS sells/services Manaras commercial models -> Business focus (Manaras listed)

If the diagnosis points past what you can safely check yourself, Custom Commercial Garage Doors services this equipment across Metro Vancouver — call (604) 206-5727.