Twenty years ago, an infrared motion sensor to turn on the light was a rarity or even a luxury. Today it can be seen in almost every yard, in every entrance, and so on. Today we’ll talk about the infrared motion sensor to turn on the light, learn about all its features. In addition, we will consider popular models and get acquainted with their prices. So, let's get acquainted with this category of devices.
Infrared motion sensor to turn on the light: general information
A motion sensor is necessary to automatically turn on the light in the house (or on the street). The device detects an object that moves in the zone of its operation, sends a signal to the relay, which responds, and the light turns on. In everyday life, having such a sensor is very practical, convenient and even logical.
You can divide these sensors into two large types:
- Home appliances.
- Street devices.
In addition, it is possible to divide sensors by the type of their installation:
- Ceiling type installation device. A signaling device of this type is mounted in the ceiling. As a rule, such a sensor captures all 360 degrees around itself.
- Wall-mounted installation type (another name is the angular installation type of the device). As a rule, it is believed that such a sensor captures a smaller viewing angle. But many experts believe that the number of false responses is noticeably reduced with it.
Principle of operation
The motion sensor is a kind of special wave detector. The device is powered by electricity. The device picks up all movements in the area of its work. In other words, absolutely any moving object, when it enters the working area of the motion sensor, activates the sensor system, and it, in turn, transmits a signal to the mechanism connected to the sensor (most often it is a lighting device in the form of a lamp). In fact, an infrared motion sensor to turn on the light can be connected to any electric device, but the connection to the light devices looks the most logical.
LED Strip Light
As we said above, it is not necessary to connect the device to the lamp, but this is logical. One variation is an infrared motion sensor to turn on the LED strip. The principle of operation does not change, only the type of lighting device is converted.
Most often, you can find an infrared motion sensor to turn on the LED strip in private homes, this way night illumination is implemented in the corridors so as not to turn on the light manually when going to the restroom at night, for example.
In addition, you can come across this option for highlighting garden paths, swimming pools, barbecue areas and other places on the site, including even fences. The fantasy of people in this matter is truly limitless.
Outdoor motion sensors to turn on the light differ from home in their water resistance. They have no other differences. Water resistance is usually realized by installing special gaskets between the sensor parts. Outdoor motion sensors to turn on the light are slightly more expensive than their counterparts, which are afraid of water, but overpricing is not critical.
Sensor Installation Location
Install a motion sensor to turn on the light should be at the place where it would look logical. If we are talking about a room, for example, the situation with the illumination of the corridor at night, then the sensor should be installed at the entrance to this corridor, it is desirable that the device works a few meters before entering it. Sensitivity and response range can be adjusted on the sensor itself.
If we talk about the motion sensor to turn on the light on the street, then it also needs to be placed in the area where moving objects appear. In principle, this is logical, and you should not pay much attention to this. It is worth noting that although street infrared motion sensors to turn on the light have protection against water, many people still prefer to place them under roofs or some kind of visors. We will say more about this below.
Sensor relevance
In a financially harsh time, such a sensor is a significant cost savings. Electricity saving is more noticeable when your infrared motion sensor for switching on the light is connected to several lighting devices or you have several such devices at your disposal. Owners of large houses and plots will agree that such savings are real and relevant.
In any case, it is also protection against scammers who can climb onto your site in the dark: the light that comes on will scare away most of them.
Type of sensor power
Here you can distinguish several options:
- Wired type of sensor power. From the advantages of the device, it is possible to distinguish stable operation over the entire period of operation. Of the minuses, it must be said about disconnecting the sensor at times when there is no electricity in the network. To connect such a motion sensor to turn on the light, a connection diagram is required, but it is usually simple, any person who is able to work with electrical wiring at home can handle it. In any case, a wiring diagram is supplied with each sensor.
- Wireless sensor power type (stand-alone). The sensor runs on one or more interchangeable batteries; there are models that run on solar storage batteries. But such sensors can fail if the battery is discharged. A definite plus is the quick installation of an infrared motion sensor to turn on the light (a connection diagram is not required, the device is already ready for operation).
Type of enclosure and installation
Sensors may differ in their appearance and type of installation. There are external sensors (overhead), and there are built-in devices. The first type is easy to install, they only need to be placed on the ceiling or wall and lead the power wires (if the sensor is a wired type of power). The advantage of the second type of motion sensor is the ability to stylize it to the interior and the overall design of the room.
Where could I buy?
You can buy the device in any store of building materials or security systems. But if we talk about saving money, then where is the best place to buy a motion sensor to turn on the light? Leroy Merlin is a hypermarket of building materials at low prices. A wide range of sensors is also presented here at the most budget prices. In Leroy, a motion sensor for turning on the light can be selected for every taste and budget.
This is by no means an advertisement, but only dry statistics and analysis of prices at the moment, before buying, analyze the prices yourself, maybe you can find a better option for yourself in a completely different place.
Motion sensor adjustment to turn on the light
You can adjust the sensitivity of the device and the range of its operation. For this, there are special bolts on the sensor housing. Rotating them, you adjust each type of setting (sensitivity, range). Sometimes the sensor is also equipped with a work timer, it also has a dedicated pivot bolt, which is needed in order to adjust the duration of the glow of the lighting device when the sensor is triggered.
Everything is adjusted intuitively, each adjustment bolt is signed, plus there is a detailed instruction for each sensor in which a separate chapter is devoted specifically to regulating the device. Only a screwdriver is required to set up the sensor. Do not forget that the installation angle of the sensor itself (for sensors of the wall-mounted type of installation) can affect the range of operation of the device.
An alternative to infrared motion sensors
Today we are talking in great detail about infrared motion sensors. But there is another option that does not work on infrared radiation, but on the principle of ultrasound. It works quite simply. The waves that come from an approaching object are read by a special built-in pickup wave pickup. It should be noted the durability of this type of device and their ease of use. In addition, such sensors are not too expensive.
But they have two significant drawbacks. The first drawback is that the sensor often does not respond at all to a slowly moving object in its area of operation. And the second drawback is that such an ultrasonic sensor can adversely affect animals. That is why, if you have pets at home, then you should not choose a sensor of this type for your home.
Cons of infrared sensors
Weaknesses of such devices are not so many, but they are. And about them it should be said:
- Infrared sensors respond to all heat waves from any equipment that is in their area of operation. This leads to false positives.
- Various precipitation and direct sunlight adversely affect infrared sensors. Over time, sensors can interrupt their normal operation or fail. That is why you should consider the installation location of devices.
- The infrared motion sensor does not react in any way to objects that do not radiate heat. But I must say that we are adequate and intelligent people and we do not believe that a certain zombie with zero body temperature will get to the site for you. Robbers in foil suits are also a rarity in our area.
Types of infrared sensors
Sensors can be a separate device, or they can already go from the factory together with a lighting lamp or spotlight. A lamp that is already connected to the sensor can be halogen or LED. Of course, the latter has energy consumption at times more modest than halogen. This must be taken into account. And if you analyze customer reviews, then LED lamps also last longer than their halogen competitors. The price of sets with an LED spotlight is slightly higher than the analogue with a halogen lamp, but the difference in price is relatively quickly compensated by the difference in energy consumption. We recommend you the option with the LED power supply.
If we talk about individual sensors that are not tied to a lighting fixture from the factory, then you yourself decide which lamp or spotlight your sensor will energize when triggered, but this point should always be considered before buying a device.
Sensor Manufacturers
Everything is very obvious here. Famous brands are more expensive, but they are distinguished by high quality performance and long service life. Inexpensive analogues (mainly from China) are like a lottery. You can buy a cheap sensor that will last you a very long time and will not cause complaints in the work, but you can save money and “run into” frank consumer goods. How to proceed? It is up to you to decide. It is difficult to give advice, analyze the market, get recommendations from consultants in the store and soberly evaluate your budget.
Overview of Popular Sensor Manufacturers
Legrand is a renowned French company. The company has established itself around the world as a supplier of various reliable wiring systems. Legrand produces a wide range of motion sensors (for residential buildings, for public places and industrial buildings). All electrical appliances of this manufacturer are characterized by maximum ease of installation and operation, high quality performance and durability, which can last for decades.
Uniel is one of those manufacturers who stood at the origins of creating motion sensors. Today, from this company you can buy both classic infrared detectors and combined detectors that respond not only to infrared, but also to ultrasonic radiation. The Uniel lineup has options for both residential and industrial buildings.
ABB is a well-known Swedish manufacturer that has been manufacturing various high-quality electrical equipment for a century and a half. ABB motion sensors feature the most innovative motion tracking mechanisms. There are a whole series of devices that can be used for outdoor installation.
We will not consider unpopular cheap brands, because it is difficult to find any objective information about them. Their purchase will be made at your own responsibility. Such brands appear on the market almost every day, talking about their quality without reliance on real customer reviews is simply impossible.
The size
On the issue of motion sensors, size does not always matter. If we are talking about some kind of household needs, then a classic device usually does not spoil the general view of the room. And for those who want to get a smaller sensor, just buy a built-in device. But sometimes there is a need for miniature devices. They exist, more often they can be found in specialized stores that offer everything for security systems. But you need to understand that a very small sensor can cost a lot of money. Sometimes it is really necessary, and the financial issue is relegated to the background.
Extra security
Sometimes your neighbors may not have very good neighbors. In any case, if you installed your personal motion sensor in the common entrance, you can additionally protect it. To do this, you need to include a wire in the circuit of its connection, which will work to break if the sensor is removed. Such a wire can be connected to a signal lamp in your apartment or to a doorbell. This is a good way to protect your own property from theft. But only a qualified electrician can handle the circuit of such a connection.
Not everyone will take such a step, but I want to note that the situation with relations between neighbors is not always smooth and for someone this moment will be useful and relevant. This way of protecting the sensor can fundamentally change the situation in your entrance and will help to calculate an unscrupulous neighbor who gives all decent people only problems and troubles.
Total
Today we have covered in detail the issue of motion sensors, examined all possible varieties and variations of such devices. Installation of such sensors is extremely simple and does not require the involvement of qualified specialists in most cases.
But if we talk about some complex systems that cover your entire big house and the land around it, then inviting a highly specialized specialist already looks reasonable, especially if you are not too confident in your abilities, and the time to install such a system is very limited.
In addition, we tried as much as possible to consider the popular manufacturers of such sensors and made an attempt to protect you from buying low-quality cheap goods. But in any case, it’s up to you to decide on the purchase of a particular sensor, and no one will be able to forbid you in this matter. This is your own business, but still this does not mean that the recommendations of qualified specialists in stores you just need to pass by yourself without thinking about the information received.