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 specifically about the infrared motion sensor for turning on the light, learn about all its features. In addition, we will consider popular models and get acquainted with their prices. So, let's start our acquaintance with this category of devices.
Infrared motion sensor to turn on the light: general information
Motion sensor is required 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 reacts, 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.
- Outdoor devices.
In addition, it is possible to divide the sensors according to the type of their installation:
- Ceiling installation type of the device. This type of signaling device is mounted in the ceiling. As a rule, such a sensor captures all 360 degrees around it.
- Wall-mounted type of installation (another name is the corner type of installation of the device). As a rule, it is considered that such a sensor captures a smaller viewing angle. But many experts believe that it significantly reduces the number of false positives.
Working principle
The motion sensor is a kind of special wavefinder. 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 attached 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 electrical device, but it is most logical to connect it to light devices.
LED strip
As we said above, it is not necessary to connect the device to the lamp, but it is logical to do so. 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 fixture is converted.
Most often you can find an infrared motion sensor to turn on the LED strip in private homes, thus implementing night lighting in the corridors so as not to turn on the light manually when going to the bathroom at night, for example.
In addition, you can find this option for highlighting garden paths, pools, barbecue areas and other places on the site, including even fences. The imagination of people in this matter is truly limitless.
Outdoor motion sensors for turning on lights differ from home ones in their water resistance. They don't have any other differences. Watertightness is usually realized by installing special sealing gaskets between the parts of the sensor. Outdoor motion sensors to turn on the light are a little 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 in the place where it would logically look like its operation. If we are talking about a room, for example, a corridor is illuminated 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 range can be adjusted on the sensor itself.
If we talk about a 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 focus too much on this. It is worth noting that although outdoor infrared motion sensors for turning on the light are protected from water, many people still prefer to place them under roofs or some kind of visors. We will talk about this below.
Sensor relevance
In a tough financial time, such a sensor is a significant cost savings. Saving electricity is more noticeable when your infrared motion sensor to turn on the light is connected to several lighting fixtures or you have several such devices at your disposal. Owners of large houses and plots will agree that such savings are quite real and relevant.
In any case, it is also a protection against scammers who can climb onto your site in the dark: turning on the light will scare away most of them.
Sensor power type
There are several options here:
Wired sensor power supply. From the advantages of the device, one can single out stable operation over the entire period of operation. Of the minuses, it must be said about turning off 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, anyone who is able to work with electrical wiring at home can handle it. In any case, a connection diagram is supplied with each sensor
Wireless type of sensor power supply (stand-alone option). The sensor is powered by one or more replaceablebatteries, there are models that run on solar storage batteries. But even 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 use)
Case type 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 supply wires (if the sensor is wired). The advantage of the second type of motion sensor is the ability to style it for the interior and the overall design of the room.
Where to buy?
You can buy the device at any store of building materials or security systems. But if we talk about saving money, where is the best place to buy a motion sensor to turn on the light? Leroy Merlin is a building materials hypermarket at low prices. A wide range of sensors is also presented here at the most budgetary 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 price analysis at the moment, before buying, analyze the prices yourself, you may be able to find a better option for yourself in a completely different place.
Adjust the motion sensor to turn on the light
You can adjust the sensitivity of the device andits operating range. To do this, there are special bolts on the sensor housing. By rotating them, you adjust each type of setting (sensitivity, range). Sometimes the sensor is also equipped with an operation timer, it also has a dedicated rotary bolt, which is needed in order to adjust the duration of the illumination of the lighting device when the sensor is triggered.
Everything is set up intuitively, each adjusting bolt is signed, plus each sensor has detailed instructions, in which a separate chapter is devoted specifically to the regulation of the device. Only a screwdriver is required to adjust the sensor. Do not forget that the installation angle of the sensor itself (for wall-mounted sensors) can affect the range 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. Waves that come from an approaching object are read by a special built-in wave catcher of the sensor. It should be noted the durability of this type of devices and their ease of use. In addition, these sensors are not too expensive.
But they have two significant disadvantages. The first drawback is that the sensor often does not react in any way to a slowly moving object in the area of its work. And the second disadvantage is that such an ultrasonic sensor can adversely affect animals. That is why if you have a homepets, then you should not choose this type of sensor for your home.
Disadvantages 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 work. This results in false positives.
- Various precipitation and direct sunlight adversely affect infrared sensors. Over time, sensors can interfere with their normal operation or fail. That is why you should consider the installation location of devices.
- Infrared motion sensor does not react in any way to objects that do not emit heat. But I must say that we are adequate and smart people and do not believe that some zombie with zero body temperature will sneak into your area. 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 come with a lighting lamp or spotlight from the factory. The light bulb already attached 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 kits with an LED spotlight is slightly higher than for a similar one with a halogen lamp, but the difference in price is relatively quickly compensated by the difference in power consumption. We recommend you the optionexactly with LED power supply.
If we talk about individual sensors that are not tied to a lighting device from the factory, then you yourself decide which lamp or spotlight will power your sensor when triggered, but this point should always be considered before buying a device.
Sensor manufacturers
Everything is very obvious here. Eminent brands are more expensive, but they are distinguished by high quality workmanship and a long service life. Inexpensive analogues (mainly from China) are like a lottery. You can buy a cheap sensor that will serve you for a very long time and will not cause complaints in work, or you can save money and "run into" outright consumer goods. How to proceed? It's up to you to decide. It is difficult to give advice here, analyze the market, get recommendations from consultants in the store and soberly assess your budget.
Overview of popular sensor manufacturers
Legrand is a renowned French company. The company has established itself worldwide as a supplier of various reliable electrical installation systems. Legrand produces motion sensors in a wide range (for residential buildings, for public places and industrial buildings). All electrical appliances of this manufacturer are distinguished by the maximum ease of installation and operation, high quality workmanship and durability, which can be calculated for decades.
Uniel is one of the pioneers of motion sensors. Today from this company you can buyboth classic IR detectors and combined detectors that respond not only to infrared, but also to ultrasonic radiation. The Uniel range has options for both residential and industrial buildings.
ABB is a well-known Swedish manufacturer that has been producing various high quality electrical equipment for a century and a half. Motion sensors from ABB feature the most innovative motion tracking mechanisms. There are 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 risk. Such brands appear on the market almost every day, it is simply impossible to talk about their quality without relying on real customer reviews.
Size
When it comes to motion sensors, size doesn't always matter. If we are talking about some household needs, then a classic appliance usually does not spoil the general appearance of the room. And for those who want to get a smaller sensor, it is enough to buy an embedded 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 fades into the background.
Additional security
Sometimes not very good neighbors can live in your entrance. In any case, if you have installed your personal motion sensor in the common entrance, you can additionally protect it. To do this, you need to include a wire in its connection circuit, which will break if the sensor is dismantled. 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 such a connection diagram.
Not everyone will take such a step, but I would like 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 radically change the situation in your entrance and help to identify an unscrupulous neighbor who only causes problems and troubles to all decent people.
Result
Today we covered the issue of motion sensors in great detail, considered 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 large house and the area 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 very limited.
In addition, we tried to consider the most popular manufacturers of such sensors in as much detail as possible and made an attemptprotect you from buying low-quality cheap goods. But in any case, it is up to you to decide whether to buy this or that sensor, and no one can forbid you something in this matter. This is your own business, but still this does not mean that the recommendations of qualified specialists in stores should simply be ignored without thinking about the information received.
