How Does an Outdoor Motion-Sensor Light Work?
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Reasons for Installing Outdoor Motion Sensors
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Technology has improved significantly over the last several years in outdoor lighting and motion sensors, which has enabled the average consumer to be able to consider numerous options for home security. Combined motion detectors and lights have become an inexpensive source for installing security lighting around the exterior of the home. Since most packages are pre-wired now, they can be installed as a do-it-yourself project without need for expensive contract assistance. Automatic outdoor lighting has proven to be a popular augmentation to interior home security systems, and for many homes is seen as the first line of defense against home intrusion.
Types of Motion Sensors
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There are two fundamental types of motion sensors, active and passive sensors. Active sensors are based on the premise of being activated on either breaking a beam of light, basic radar signal, or ultrasonic wave. The commonality across the three is that they are emitting energy and are triggered by a change in the return of the energy to the unit. The majority of motion sensing lighting, however, uses a passive detection means. The passive systems detect infrared energy and are set to detect the temperature of a human body which radiate IR energy between nine and ten micrometers. The passive sensors are set at a range bracketing the normal human readings. The passive device is similar to a photo sensor. The passive motion sensor will pick up motion, but will not detect a human who is not moving. This is due to the fact that the sensor detects significant change in the infrared energy being detected. If the threshold of detection is set too low, then the sensor would be triggered by small animals and other environmental factors when the lighting should remain off.
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Motion Activated Lights
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The majority of motion-activated outdoor lights come pre-wired and bundled for installation. Most of them will have the motion sensor mounted below the primary two security lights to have the largest field of view possible. Other lights can be run in series from the primary sensing unit and light system in order to illuminate a greater portion of the home or yard when triggered. Motion-triggered outdoor light systems also come with the feature to be manually turned on by the home-owner for general outdoor lighting. In the last few years, motion-triggered light systems have been sold that are solar powered. These lights store solar energy during the day and use the stored energy when triggered at night.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Motion Sensor LED Security Light.
