Progress never stands still and helps a person to get an increased level of comfort. A motion sensor to turn on the lighting is becoming very popular today. Its main features and functions will be discussed below.
What is a motion sensor?
Motion sensor is a specialized device that can rightfully be classified as a detection device. The basic principle of its operation is that at the moment an object enters the coverage area, it detects movement using built-in sensors and transmits 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 lighting lamps are installed with a motion sensor at the beginning and at the end. When a person enters the room, he is immediately fixed and the lighting is turned on. After the object is removed, the lamps turn off.
Main types of sensors
Today there are such typesmotion sensors for lighting: devices for rooms (internal) and for the street (external). Sensors are also distinguished by the type of signaling device and the place of installation.
The working principle of the outdoor signaling device is mainly to calculate the distance. Such a device controls a certain area of the yard and is very convenient for use in private cottages and warehouses. The motion sensor for street lighting has a large coverage range - from 100 to 500 meters. There are also devices that can operate over much longer distances. These indicators often require some type of spotlight, so be careful when choosing your fixtures.
Room or household sensor can be installed anywhere in the apartment. Its main difference from the outdoor apparatus is that it does not tolerate sudden changes in temperature.
Also, these devices can be divided depending on the place of attachment into wall and ceiling. These devices differ in the way they are placed, and they are not the same in terms of the signal propagation range for capturing. The ceiling sensor has a much larger impulse, but the wall sensor can also be mounted outdoors.
Key Features
The installed sensor must not be exposed to direct light from lamps. In the pulse propagation zone, it is desirable to get rid of foreign objects that will interfere with the correct operation of the device. Also, in the control zone of the device there should not be partitions, even made of glass, as they will negatively affect the sensor itself.lighting movements. The characteristics that are the main features of the device are the radius of detection and movement. For proper operation, the beams must reach all corners of the room. If this is not the case, then you will have to install several devices so that you can capture the entire space.
For a rectangular room, you will only need sensors with pie charts that are crossed. Basically, all devices today have oval or circular detection patterns.
Scope of motion sensors
Most often, such devices are used by those who are used to trusting technology and want to transfer control over the lighting of the required place at a certain time to this useful device. Sensors will help you not to stumble in the dark, groping for stationary switches, and, if necessary, scare away unwanted guests.
Usually, motion sensors for lighting are installed on the front door, the stairs to the basement and in the room itself, the bathroom, places that are well lit during the day, but require high-quality lighting at night. For the bathroom and toilet, it would be nice to install a light switch with a motion sensor, as many simply forget about the light when leaving.
If necessary, the device can be configured to turn on several more devices in the room, such as a TV or air conditioner, along with the light. The best and easiest way to install an alarm in most rooms is to connect it to a conventional switch. Suchthe connection diagram of the motion sensor for lighting is given in the instructions or the passport of the device. Before carrying out work, be sure to read the instructions and, of course, follow their recommendations.
How to choose a place to install the sensor
One of the most important conditions for the correct operation of the device is the place of its installation. Agree that the apparatus will not be of any use if it is mounted far from places where people move. Therefore, it is necessary to mount the sensor exactly where the user begins to enter a dark area of \u200b\u200bthe room or yard.
It is important to correctly set the direction of the switch, for this, almost all devices are designed so that you can automatically direct infrared radiation to the desired location. The setting of the motion sensor for lighting should be done in such a way that the device captures well the presence of a person who is heading into the area of the apparatus. If you think about a specific place to install the device, then this should be the highest point on the wall of a building or room.
Sensor connection
In order to properly install and adjust the motion sensor for lighting, no special skills are required. It is only necessary to assemble and connect the corresponding components (wires) of the signaling device. To make everything beautiful, you need to use a special junction box. Each device has its own instructions. It is also very important to remember that the position of the sensor is bestin those places where it will not be annoyed by the movements of foreign objects.
Sensor setting
Setting the motion sensor for lighting is done by potentiometers. There are mainly three components used for machines:
- brightness adjustment;
- motion adjustment;
- sensitivity calibration.
Also be sure to set the maximum interval between the appearance of a photocell and a 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 else connected to it.
After the installation of the machine has been completed by trial and error, the motion sensor for lighting must be adjusted. The entire setup scheme is described in the instructions for the device. In most cases, two parameters are configured for the device to turn on - the set time for operation and the dependence of turning on the device on the level of general illumination. It is especially necessary to adjust well in those places where daylight penetrates during the day, for all other cases, you can simply set the minimum parameters. Most of the devices currently available can allow you to set time combinations from a few seconds to 10 minutes.
Connection diagrams
Currently, there is more than one connection diagram for a motion sensor for lighting, there are many of them. Different options are necessary so that each of the users can choose a convenient and comfortable design.just for you.
The first of the presented methods is standard. To connect it, you need to run a phase wire (220 V) through the machine, and then connect it directly to the device. After the neutral wire, in a place convenient for the owner, it should diverge into two turns, the first of which is sent directly to the device, and the second is pulled there, but only through the lamp.
You can also use the option in which the phase wire goes directly to the sensor and connects to the contact switch. The second wire is connected and closes the circuit on the light bulb, and on the reverse side it is necessary to carry out the same zero phase to it. The whole difference between these two methods lies only in the presence of a switch in the second version.
The second motion sensor circuit for lighting is mainly used if there is a need for the light to be on for a certain period of time and not depend on the conditions to which the device will respond.
Basic 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 work in cases where cats or dogs run past, which, of course, do not particularly need light.
- If you intend to install the device with a viewing angle of 180 degrees, then the ideal place for it will be the ceiling or wall of the room.
- Sometimes it is quite useful to install an ordinary switch along with the sensor. This isis done so that at the right time the light is on and does not turn off.
- Models that have a field of view can be installed anywhere, but it must be taken into account that doors must be in their field of view, for example, in a long corridor. If done correctly, the light will turn on and off when opened and closed.
- When choosing a device, pay attention to its features. If the room is damp enough, then only specialized waterproof wires can be used. It is necessary to foresee in advance, preferably at the initial stage, whether it is necessary to install a switch or some other system in parallel, for example ventilation, since after installation it will be problematic.
Installation of motion sensor and LED spotlight
Probably, many have faced the problem of lighting a garage, entrance or adjacent area of the house. Of course, you can put a regular 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 full automation, a motion sensor was developed for street or house lighting. The use of such a mechanism simplifies and improves a person's life.
The scheme for connecting a motion sensor for lighting is quite simple. After an object enters the coverage area of the device, it works. It is not necessary to connect only a spotlight to the signaling device: it can be an ordinary lighting device. In order for the light to turn on only at night, the device needsset daylight threshold.
Pros of installing a motion sensor and spotlight:
- significant energy savings as the lights only turn on when needed;
- saving lamp and LED resources;
- complete exclusion of the human factor in object lighting;
- easy to install and operate;
- additional home security when installing sensors around the perimeter of the house.
When the motion sensor will be triggered
The installed device will monitor exactly the space that falls into its field of view. So for a certain area it is necessary to 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 record the level of IR radiation in the area of its work. In those moments when there will be no changes, there will also be no output signal. After a person or an animal appears in the field of observation, the temperature of which will at least slightly exceed the temperature set by the sensors, the voltage in the lamp will immediately change. Then a series of pulses will begin to form, which will give a signal to the control circuit. The light fixture starts to turn on depending on the setting of the sensitivity parameter.
Consequently, after an object with a temperature above the set temperature leaves the control zone for which the sensor is responsible, and the flow of continuous pulses is completed, it will startbreak the connection of communications and the light will go out.
It is these features that make the use of such devices very popular and extremely convenient for a variety of premises, as they can provide contactless switching on of lighting devices. Thanks to such devices, there will no longer be any reason to worry about your 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 need to weigh all the pros and cons of this device.
Dignity:
- Energy saving. Very often people forget to turn off the lights, and with the help of such devices this actual problem will no longer exist, as 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 conditioner, tape recorder, fan, radio, extractor hood, etc.
- Convenience. If indoors the switch is located far enough from the entrance, then it will not be easy to find it in the dark, and it may be even scary for small children. The sensor eliminates this problem.
Flaws:
- Great value. It's no secret that you have to pay dearly for a beautiful and comfortable life, and signaling devices are no exception to this rule. The price of such devices is high, but the effect they give justifiesattachments.
- Difficulty 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 possible, it is best to use the services of an experienced craftsman who will not only connect, but also adjust the operation of the device.
Installing smart assistants all over the house at once is quite problematic and also costly. But it is necessary to mount the sensor in the darkest corner, because after that you can forever forget about all the inconveniences. After the first device that appeared in the apartment, the same ones will soon appear in other rooms, as well as in the yard, if it is a private house. Comfort is easy to get used to!
