motion sensor light switch

If your home is located at the center of a burglary-prone area, a motion sensor is what you need. A survey indicates that across the United States of America, about 40% homes use a motion sensor alarm. Given the fact that burglary related incidents have gone up by about 20% in the last 3 years, the number of users of a motion sensor alarm may just go up, by a notch.

How does a motion sensor alarm works?

Creating a motion sensor effect is not tough, but then special devices are made that induce this effect, so you don’t need to go hunting for your scientific techniques. Normally, a motion sensor alarm works on the principle of the photosensor circuit triggering off when someone crosses the line of light projected by the light beams of the motion sensor alarm. Some grocery store use a simple form of radar to detect intrusive activity, but the use of this technique is very limited in homes.

For what do I need a motion sensor alarm?

Most motion sensing lights are passive systems. They set off on detecting infrared light and thus are known as Passive Infrared detectors, and at times are also called as Pyroelectric sensors. The key point is – The motion sensing should happen at the detection of an intrusive activity by a human being. To achieve this result, the temperature of the infrared light detector should be set at 93 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the body temperature of most human beings. Normally, human beings radiate energy of wavelength in the range of 9 to 10 micrometers and thus, you will find most sensors set at a wavelength range of 8 to 12 micrometers.

Is it safe to use a Motion sensor alarm?

These motion sensor alarms look out for a rapidly changing source and amount of energy. That can happen if a person moves around. Thus, if you install this device in your home and happen to be out, you can be safe thinking that the motion sensor alarm would go off the moment an intrusive activity by a human being is detected in your absence.

You obviously don’t want the alarm to go off when you enter the home. So, make sure the switch for the motion sensor alarm is kept right next to the entrance of your home. The moment you open the door, set this alarm off, otherwise it would go off even when you enter the home.

The Motion sensor alarms have any limitation?

The motion sensor could be very limited in its use. Here is an interesting fact to illustrate this statement. The motion sensing alarm can only detect intrusive activity when a person crosses the line of the light beam. If someone is peeping out from the window of your home, the motion sensing alarm may not be able to catch the detection. This is because glass allows infrared energy to go through and doesn’t present an ‘obstacle’ to the infrared energy.

It is very clear that a motion sensing alarm is a must if you wish to have your home secured from any event of burglary. Apart from inconveniencing some of your neighbors when the alarm does go off, you would take a lot of steps to ensure your home is safe at all times.