Progress never stands still and helps a person get an increased level of comfort. A motion sensor for turning on lighting is becoming very popular today . Its main characteristics and functions will be discussed later.
What is a motion sensor?
A motion sensor is a specialized device that can rightly be attributed to detection devices. The main principle of its operation is that when an object enters the coverage area, it uses the built-in sensors to detect movement and transmit a signal to the lamp, after which it turns on. The use of such devices is almost indispensable in large houses. For example: there is a long corridor in which light lamps are installed with a motion sensor at the beginning and at the end. When a person enters the room, then he is immediately fixed and the lighting is turned on. After the object is removed, the lamps turn off.
The main types of sensors
Today, there are such types of motion sensors for lighting: devices for rooms (internal) and for the street (external). Sensors are also distinguished by type of signaling device and installation location.
The principle of operation of a street alarm mainly consists in calculating the distance. Such a device is engaged in control in a certain part of the yard and is very convenient for use in private cottages and storage rooms. The motion sensor for street lighting has a wide range of coverage - from 100 to 500 meters. There are also devices that can operate at significantly greater distances. For these alarms, spotlights of a particular type are often needed, so be careful when choosing fixtures.
A room or household sensor can be installed anywhere in the apartment. The main difference between it and the outdoor unit is that it does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
Also, these devices can be divided depending on the mounting location on the wall and ceiling. These devices differ in the placement method, and they are not the same in the range of signal propagation for capture. The ceiling sensor has a much larger impulse, but the wall sensor can also be mounted on the street.
Main characteristics
Direct light from the lamps should not be directed at the installed sensor. In the zone of propagation of pulses, it is advisable to get rid of foreign objects that will interfere with the proper operation of the device. Also, in the control zone of the apparatus there should not be partitions, even made of glass, since they will negatively affect the motion sensor itself for lighting. The main characteristics of the device are the radius of detection and movement. For proper operation, the rays must reach all corners of the room. If this is not so, then you will have to install several devices so that you can capture the entire space.
For a rectangular room, you only need sensors with pie charts that are crossed. Basically, all devices today have oval or circular detection schemes.
Scope of motion sensors
Most often, such devices are used by those who are accustomed to trust technology and want to shift control of the lighting of the necessary place at a certain time to this useful device. Sensors will help not to stumble in the dark, feeling for stationary switches, and also, if necessary, scare away unwanted guests.
Typically, the installation of motion sensors for lighting is performed on the front door, stairs to the basement and in the room, bathroom, places that are well lit during the day, but require high-quality illumination at night. For the bathroom and toilet, it would be nice to install a light switch with a motion sensor, since many simply forget about the light when leaving it.
If necessary, the device can be configured to turn on, along with the light of several more devices in the room, for example, a TV or air conditioning. The best and easiest way to install the alarm in most rooms is to connect to a conventional switch. Such a connection scheme for a motion sensor for lighting is given in the instructions or passport of the device. Before carrying out the work, you must read the instructions and, of course, follow its recommendations.
How to choose a place to install the sensor
One of the most important conditions for the correct operation of the device is its installation location. Agree that the device will not be of any use if you mount it away from the places of movement of the person. Therefore, it is necessary to fasten the sensor exactly where the user begins to enter the dark part of the room or yard.
It is important to correctly set the orientation of the switch, for this, almost all devices are designed so that you can automatically direct infrared radiation to the desired location. Adjustment of the motion sensor for lighting should be made in such a way that the device well picks up the presence of a person who is sent to the area of the device. If you think about a specific place for installing the device, then this should be the highest point on the wall of the building or room.
Sensor Connection
In order for the installation and adjustment of the motion sensor for lighting to go through correctly, you will not need special skills. It is only necessary to assemble and connect the corresponding components (wires) of the detector. To make everything beautiful, you need to use a special junction box. Each device has its own instruction. It is also very important to remember that it is best to position the sensor in those places where it will not be irritated by the movements of foreign objects.
Sensor Setup
Setting the motion sensor for lighting is done with potentiometers. Basically, three components are used for devices:
- brightness adjustment;
- movement adjustment;
- sensitivity calibration.
It is also necessary to set the maximum interval between the appearance of the photocell and signal. If the picture does not change during the set time, the device will automatically turn off the lighting and ventilation, as well as everything that is still connected to it.
After the installation of the device has been completed by trial and error, the motion sensor for lighting should be adjusted. The whole setup scheme is described in the instrument manual. In most cases, two parameters are configured for the device to turn on - the set time for operation and the dependence of the device on the level of general illumination. It is especially good to adjust it in those places where daylight penetrates during the day; for all other cases, you can simply set the minimum parameters. Most devices that are currently available can allow you to set time combinations from a few seconds to 10 minutes.
Wiring diagrams
Currently, there is more than one motion sensor connection diagram for lighting, there are many of them. Different options are necessary so that each user can choose a convenient and comfortable design for themselves.
The first of the presented methods is standard. To connect it, you must let the phase wire (220 V) through the machine, and then connect directly to the device. After the zero wire in a place convenient for the owner, it should go into two turns, the first of which goes directly to the device, and the second extends there, but only through the lamp.
You can also use the option in which the phase wire is sent directly to the sensor and connected to the contact switch. The second wire is connected and closes the circuit on the bulb, and on the reverse side it is necessary to carry out the same zero phase. The whole difference between these two methods lies only in the presence of a switch in the second embodiment.
The second motion sensor circuit for lighting is mainly used if there is a need for the light to burn for a certain period of time and not depend on the conditions to which the device will respond.
The main recommendations for installation:
- Be sure to note that the sensor should start to turn on when exposed at a level of at least 1 m from the floor. Otherwise, the device will be triggered in cases when cats or dogs run by, which, of course, do not particularly need light.
- If you plan to install the device with a viewing angle of 180 degrees, then the ceiling or wall of the room will be an ideal place for it.
- Sometimes it’s quite useful to install an ordinary switch with the sensor. This is done so that at the right moment the light burns and does not turn off.
- Models in which the sector of vision is determined can be installed anywhere, but it should be borne in mind that doors must be in their field of vision , for example, in a long corridor. If everything is done correctly, the light will turn on and off when opening and closing.
- When deciding on the choice of the device, pay attention to its features. If the room is damp enough, then only specialized moisture-proof wires can be used. It is necessary to foresee in advance, preferably at the initial stage, whether it is necessary to install a switch in parallel or some other system, for example, ventilation, since after installation this will be problematic.
Installation of motion sensor and LED spotlight
Probably, many were faced with the problem of lighting a garage, porch or the adjacent territory of the house. Of course, you can put an ordinary flashlight, but then there are problems with controlling the light, such as turning it off during the day and turning it on at night. For complete automation, a motion sensor was developed to illuminate the street or at home. Using this mechanism simplifies and improves a person’s life.
The connection diagram of the motion sensor for lighting is quite simple. After an object enters the zone of the apparatus, it is triggered. It is not necessary to connect only a searchlight to the annunciator: it can be a usual lighting device. In order to turn on the light only in the dark, you need to set the threshold of daylight in the device.
Advantages of installing a motion sensor and spotlight:
- significant savings in electricity, as the light begins to work only when necessary;
- saving the resources of lamps and LEDs;
- the complete exclusion of the human factor in the illumination of the object;
- ease of installation and operation;
- additional security of the home when installing sensors around the perimeter of the house.
When will the motion sensor be triggered
The installed device will monitor exactly the space that falls into its field of view. So for a specific area, you must select the appropriate model of the device with the desired characteristics. If the connection diagram of the motion sensor for lighting was correctly selected, then it will qualitatively fix the level of infrared radiation in the area of its operation. In those moments when there will be no changes, and there will be no signal at the output either. After a person or animal appears in the field of observation, the temperature of which will at least slightly exceed that set by the sensors, immediately the voltage changes in the lamp. Then a series of pulses will begin to form, which will give a signal to the control circuit. The lighting fixture starts to turn on depending on the sensitivity parameter setting.
Therefore, after an object with a temperature above the set one leaves the control zone for which the sensor is responsible, and the supply of continuous pulses is completed, the communication link will begin to break and the light will go out.
It is these functions that make the use of such devices very popular and extremely convenient for a variety of rooms, as they can ensure the non-contact inclusion of lighting devices. Thanks to such devices, there will no longer be cause for concern for their comfort and convenience, which are so necessary in the modern world.
Main advantages and disadvantages of sensors
And yet, before installing a motion sensor for lighting, you must weigh all the pros and cons of this device.
Advantages:
- Power saving Very often people forget about turning off the light, and with the help of such devices this urgent problem will no longer exist, since it will be automatically controlled.
- Functionality. Most modern devices work well without the use of wires. Also, if necessary, you can easily attach some more gadgets besides light, such as a TV, air conditioning, tape recorder, fan, radio, hood, etc.
- Convenience. If the switch is located far enough from the entrance in the room, then in the dark it will be difficult to find it, and for small children, it may also be scary. The sensor eliminates this problem.
Disadvantages:
- Great value. It is no secret that a beautiful and comfortable life must be paid dearly, and signaling devices are no exception to this rule. The price of such devices is high, but the effect that they give justifies the investment.
- The complexity of installation. The motion sensor circuit for lighting is easily connected independently, but still no one can give a full guarantee that the installation will be done correctly and the device will work. So if there is an opportunity, it is best to use the services of an experienced master who will not only connect, but also regulate the operation of the device.
Immediately throughout the house, installing smart assistants is quite problematic, as well as costly. But it is necessary to mount the sensor in the darkest corner, because after that you can forever forget about all the inconveniences. For the first device that appeared in the apartment, the same will soon appear in other rooms, as well as in the yard, if it is a private house. It’s easy to get used to comfort!