Before you install motion sensors, make sure to read the installation instructions , since they will likely include placement recommendations. Some DIY systems also give you electronic prompts, video tutorials, or have you call a representative to walk you through the setup process. False alarms are usually caused by electrical failures, user error, poor application engineering, power surges, lightning, and faulty equipment.
Animals, insects, and foliage can also trigger them under the right circumstances. While the best thing you can do to increase the effectiveness of your sensors and prevent false alarms is to read the instructions that come with them, here are some placement tips to help leverage the sensor's strengths:.
Keep PIR sensors 10—15 feet away from heat sources like radiators, heating vents, and sunny windows. That way, an intruder trips the sensor regardless of destination. Intruders usually go right for the master bedroom, so put a sensor near that room or other rooms with valuables, like the study. Assess where intruders are most likely to enter and what path they would take. Find walls that an intruder would walk alongside , like a hallway or narrow pathway that leads to a room.
Motion sensors work best when the intruder walks parallel to the sensor, not toward it. Your motion sensor kit should come with some instructions and mounting hardware. You should consider the most effective sensor placement before mounting your motion detector:. Passive infrared sensors are lightweight, so you won't have to worry about drywall anchors or studs.
A standard screwdriver should do the trick, but an electric screwdriver or drill can speed up the process. Most motion detectors have a mounting bracket that pops off the main body of the device so you can screw it into the wall first, then clip the motion sensor back in. This also makes it easier for taking the motion detector off the wall during maintenance. Other infrared sensors may require a full disassembly for mounting. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to connect your motion sensor to your system.
Most DIY systems walk you through this process, often using the main keypad or mobile app to set up and adjust your motion detectors. You can even use the smart hub's app to schedule motion alerts to your mobile devices when there's movement is during certain times of the day or night. Over time, dust and debris can gather on the screen of your motion sensor and interfere with the infrared energy, making it less effective at motion detection.
Clean it at least once every couple of months with a dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth. If you decide to paint a wall near your motion sensor, be sure to remove the device first. If you get any paint on a passive infrared motion sensor, you need to replace it.
Pet-immune motion sensors are only immune to pets when you use them correctly, and even then they can create false alarms under certain conditions. Many pet immune sensors use ratings related to an animal's weight, but even small pets can trigger them with enough verticality. If your pet likes to practice their high jump, it can set off false alarms. This is especially important if you have active sensors near a stairwell.
At the bottom of the stairs, the sensor treats your pet like a mouse, but by the time your pet reaches the top, the sensor might see an elephant. When installing LED motion sensor lights or cameras outside, keep in mind that installing them under an overhang like a carport can reduce their range. Just like your field of vision decreases when you're wearing a hat with a brim or a visor, an overhang can block the motion detector light's degree sensing angle, turning it into a degree sensing angle.
Motion sensors are like flashlights sending out a beam of light but with motion-detecting infrared energy waves instead of light waves. Just like a light is brighter closer to the bulb, the infrared radiation is denser nearer to the device and it spreads out farther away. A motion detector's waves can't penetrate through walls or other hard objects like furniture.
When you set up your motion sensor, imagine it like a light on the wall. Anything that creates a shadow from that light's position can also block the motion sensor's ability to cover the shadowed area. When choosing motion sensing light switches for indoor use, remember that not all motion detection switches work the same.
Brands like Lutron have motion sensor light switches that come in all three options so you can choose the one that's right for you. Many industrial fields use them on assembly lines to keep track of the number of products and to shut down dangerous equipment if a person gets too close. In addition to some nifty commercial applications , motion sensors are commonly used in home security systems to alert you or your professional monitors to someone's presence.
The sky's the limit! Just make sure you stick to self-monitored motion sensors if you're not using them to detect a break-in or other dangerous scenario. It depends on what you want to accomplish and the motion detector's viewing angle. Read our guide to motion sensor placement for more information. For help researching your home security options, check out our article on the best home security systems.
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We may earn money when you click links on our site. Learn more. Smart Home FAQ. By Kasey Tross. Published on October 12, Share Article. Answers to your questions about motion sensors Role of motion sensors. Types of motion sensors.
These sensors detect the presence of a person or object when the link between two nodes is broken. Vibration motion sensors detect people and objects via small vibrations caused by things like footsteps. Microwave motion sensors emit microwave pulses. Much like an active ultrasonic sensor, the microwaves bounce off objects and return to the sensor.
They actually cover a larger area than PIR sensors, but are more susceptible to electronic interference. Active ultrasonic sensors and PIR sensors are often combined into one unit with the goal of increasing detection accuracy. You can always talk with your alarm installer to make sure your motion sensors are the most suitable options for your home or business. You can hire a security company like Bay Alarm to install your security system.
Our installers will review the layout of your space to determine where exactly to place motion sensors. As with security cameras , fire alarms , and burglar alarm installations, our goal is to ensure your home or business is as secure as possible, with devices and components placed in the most strategic locations.
Once installed, a security agent will integrate the sensors with your burglar alarm system. If you decide to go the DIY security route, be sure to follow the instructions included with the sensor.
Here are a few tips for installing motion sensors at your home or business:. Wipe the sensor free of any dust or debris after you finish installing to ensure an unobstructed lens, and be sure to clean them periodically thereafter. Note: DIYers! Z-Wave enabled smart motion sensors connect to your phone for quick access and immediate notifications. If you are not familiar with Z-Wave technology, we previously published an in-depth article discussing what Z-Wave technology is and how it works.
In all likelihood, it comes with an app. Once you download the app you can change the settings to be more or less sensitive. Do some research about the types of settings and features different sensors offer.
Go with the one that best fits you—or talk to a pro at Bay Alarm to learn more. Motion sensors are an essential part of any security system: they represent one of the best ways to detect intruders and other suspicious activity.
Skip to main content. December 16, Motion sensors are commonly used to: Detect when a potential intruder is near to or inside your home or business.
Alert you if people enter restricted areas. At home, this might be the basement or garage. Though there are a few different types of motion detectors, most rely on similar technologies to detect intruders: they pick up on tiny changes—in things like temperature, vibration, or radiation—in the spaces they cover.
Several types of security devices use motion sensors. Some of the most popular forms include driveway motion detectors , motion activated flood lights , exterior motion detector cameras , and indoor motion detectors. You can use motion sensors to automatically turn on a light when someone approaches your home, sound an alarm when movement is detected in your living room, or trigger a motion sensor camera to start recording when someone enters your home. Choose pet-immune motion detectors to reduce critter-related false alarms.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. There are several types of motion sensor technology—active ultrasonic and passive infrared PIR are two popular options, though microwave, tomographic, and dual-technology detectors also get some market share. An active ultrasonic motion detector emits ultrasonic sound waves that reflect off objects and bounce back to the original emission point.
When a moving object disrupts the waves, the sensor triggers and completes the desired action, whether this is switching on a light or sounding an alarm. Motion detection cameras, lights, and sensors used in home security systems generally rely on PIR sensors. These detect infrared energy, which humans and animals release as heat.
If the motion sensor detects an increase in infrared energy, meaning someone has approached the sensor or walked within its range, it notifies the home security control panel and an alarm sounds. Some other sensors use microwave or tomographic technologies, both of which emit waves of radiation—microwave and electromagnetic, respectively.
When someone or something disrupts the radiation waves, the sensor sounds an alarm. Dual-technology detectors are, as their name implies, sensors that rely on two different motion-detecting technologies to watch for movement.
These are a bit more impervious to false alarms, as both technologies have to be tripped for the alarm to sound. Check out our video doorbell buyer's guide to see the top models. When deciding where to place each sensor, make sure they are at least 10 feet away from bright windows, radiators, and heating vents, as abrupt changes in temperature or HVAC-related airflow may trigger false alarms.
Check out our comprehensive guides to motion sensor lights and motion sensors for in-depth installation information and much more. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
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