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How to Select and Install a Motion Sensor in Your Home
- By Ron Mcbride
- Published 11/15/2007
- Home Security Products
- Unrated
Ron Mcbride
View all articles by Ron Mcbride
The are two types of sensors designed to detect motion in your home. Passive infrared sensor and microwave. You will need to determine which is best for your home and budget.
With a dual technology sensor, the infrared senses heat and the microwave senses trouble in sound, both the microwave elements and the infrared element must be tripped.
If aiming is a problem, the infrared sensor can be masked so it won’t notice an area that has a heat source.
If you have a pet, it will influence the type of motion sensor you select. Some motion sensors include features as how much it weighs. These will focus on a person and ignore pets.
Selecting a Motion Sensor
- Examine your home and determine where you intend to put your motion sensors.
- Choose areas like a hallway or stairway because these areas are common for burglars.
- Keep in mind the type of motion sensor you are installing and examine the area for sunlight or heat if you are planning to install a passive infrared motion sensor.
- Decide between wireless motion sensors or hardwire motion sensor.
- You will need to drill l holes in walls and route wires in and out of walls to the control panel if you have a hard-wired system if you are uncomfortable installing this type of sensor you may want to consult with a electrician.
- Access a power source for a wireless notion sensor.
When working with electricity always:
- Turn off the power.
- Test the wires to ensure the power is off.
- Lock out the panel box, so no one can accidentally turn the power back on while you are working.
- Check with local authorities to see if a permit is required.
- Have your work checked by an inspector.
- Wear eye goggles and a dust mask.
- To avoid overloading the circuit, consult a licensed electrician.
Installing the Motion Sensor
· Please read the installation instructions that come with the motion sensor.
· Take into consideration the instructions and how you intend to aim the sensor.
· Mount the sensor to a wall using the drill and screws. Remember to install a passive infrared motion sensor in an environment that won’t interfere with proper working conditions.
· Route the wire of the motion sensor(if it is a hard-wired sensor) along the baseboard and/or through walls to the control panel
· Connect the wire to the proper input. If you are using a wireless motion sensor, follow the enclosed instructions which should be very basic and not require difficult wiring just the purchase of a lithium battery.
How to Test and Adjust the Motion Detector
- On the bottom of the sensor are a slide switch and the sensory adjustment dial. Move the slide switch to the "TEST" position. Set the sensory adjustment to medium (halfway setting).
- Turn the main power on, followed by the circuit wall switch. The fixture lights will come on for about 30 seconds and then go off. If there is any motion within the detection zone, the lights will stay on longer.
- Aim the detector head toward the area in which you wish to sense motion and walk across the detection zone at the furthest point you wish the lights to go on.
- Grasp the lamp holders and position the lamps so as not to interfere with the sensor. Never grasp the bulb to change the lamp direction—the bulb may break. If your lights go off and immediately back on while testing, the lamps are too close to the sensor. Aim the bulbs away from the sensor and slightly downwards so water will not fill the lamp holders. Keep the bulbs at least 1/2" away from sensor.
- Adjust sensitivity until the lights go on where desired in the detection zone. Lights will turn off four seconds after all motion stops.
Slide the switch from "TEST" position to the one you desire. Check the manufacturer's descriptions (included with the unit) to make your selection
Possible Things You Will Need
Drill with assorted bits
Lithium Batteries
Fish Tapes (hard-wired motion sensors)
Motion Sensors
Multiuse Screws
Screwdriver Sets

