Hi, I’m Peter Rogers, co-founder and senior advisor at FrontPoint Security. Today, we’re going to talk about how to remove a motion sensor from a wall, and it’s a great topic, because almost every alarm system out there has at least one motion sensor. In fact, motion sensors, in combination with door and window sensors, are at the heart of virtually every alarm system. The most current technology for motion sensors is, in fact, passive infrared technology, and that’s why these are often called PIRs in the alarm industry. What the sensor does is to recognize a motion and object that has a warmed infrared signature than the surrounding ambient temperature. That’s what triggers the alarm – a warm object and movement. Older systems used hardwire version of these devices. So, if you want to remove one, not only are you going to have to figure out how to get it off the wall, but also what to do with the wire, and we’ll talk about that. Let’s say you have an older motion sensor. Chances are, it’s going to be mounted with screws. These devices generally have a back plate with knockout holes, and they would be attached to the wall with screws, and a wire would run from within the wall and come through the back of the device. To fully remove the sensor, therefore, you have to pop it off of its back plate, use a screwdriver to remove the screws, and then disconnect the wire. What you do with that wire is important. It’s only low voltage, nine or 12 volts, but it should be disconnected from the alarm panel, and if you want, you can pull the wire all the way back to the control panel. At the very least, it should be cut so that there is no copper exposed, and wrapped or covered with a connector and pushed back into the wall. This is for avoidance of a fire. If you’re using more current technology, such as this wireless device, removing the sensor is a much easier process – after all, there are no wires. Usually, high-graded double-sided adhesive is used to mount the sensor to the wall. So, you simply need to gently pry the sensor away from the wall. You may have to cut through the adhesive if it’s thick. Any remaining residue or adhesive can easily be removed with one of many products that exist for that purpose. One of our favorite products is Goo Gone. We recommend this to any of our customers who seek to remove adhesive or residue from a surface in their home. Just follow the easy instructions – usually a very small amount suffices – and in no time, the sensor and all traces will be removed from the wall. Of course, if the device was hardwired and mounted with screws, then you’ll have some hole patching and possibly some painting that you’ll have to do. Again, this explains the trend toward wireless systems, and in fact, some of these systems are so easy to use that alarm companies are offering them on a DIY basis, meaning they’ll sell you the equipment, help you determine exactly what you need for your home – meaning the right combination of devices – send the equipment to you fully programmed, and you simply install it on your own schedule. Then, any time you want to expand your system, or even move, you can take the entire system with you. And remember, when it comes to wireless home security, the best systems use cellular monitoring. That concludes today’s discussion of how to remove a motion sensor from your wall. Again, my name is Peter Rogers, from FrontPoint Security. Thank you.
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