Motion sensors to turn on the light

Originally designed for security systems, traffic controllers have found worthy application in power supply devices.

Their purpose - inclusion of lighting in response to the appearance of a moving object. Having a timer in the control circuit, these devices turn off the power in the absence of movement in the control sector.

Sensitive elements for lighting systems are equipped with touch devices that allow the device to operate only under certain lighting conditions. They will not respond to movement if the actual lighting is above a certain level, that is, during the day.

Kinds

There are two main designs of these devices:

1. For external use.
2. Installed in the premises.

Devices designed for indoor use will quickly fail under outdoor conditions. The use of outdoor appliances in the house is economically inconsistent.

The devices differ in the installation location:

1. Peripheral - they are placed on objects remote from the house, such as: a device to turn on the pool light, turn on the lighting of the paths when walking around the site in the dark, and so on.
2. Installed for perimeter control - These devices control the inclusion of light when approaching a car house or a person approaches, usually placed on the fence of the estate.
3. Domestic - are located indoors, in the toilet or bathroom, at the entrance to the basement and, in general, in any separate room. The use of such devices can significantly save energy, lighting will turn on where it is needed at the moment.

All outdoor sensors are usually equipped with mass detectors so as not to react to the appearance of small animals in the device's coverage area. Also needed are light control sensors that prevent switching on during daylight hours.

The difference in the principle of action

In the mass of control devices available on the market, there are many varieties in form, design, installation method. But all of them are divided into three main groups according to the principles of action, that is, according to the applied sensitive elements.

Differ such:

Infrared

They operate on the basis of radiation from objects of thermal rays.

Ultrasonic

High-frequency emitting sound waves that are not perceived by humans, the reflected wave returns to the sensitive elements of the device.

Microwave

Operating on the principle of microwave radiation.

Thus, it is obvious that these three groups can be divided into passive and active.

The representative of the first are infrared sensors. These devices are inexpensive and reliable, they are the most popular in the world. Among the shortcomings can be noted their reaction to insects.

If a spider weaves a web in front of the lens of such a camera, then it blocks the path to infrared radiation and the device stops working. To avoid this effect, the devices are mounted on the base of wood chestnut, which spiders bypass. You can also use various insecticides to repel or kill insects.

The ultrasonic device emits the corresponding waves. Reflecting from moving objects, they return to the receiver of the device in a distorted form, which is for him a signal to action. It should be noted that this radiation is perceived by animals, dogs and cats begin to worry, howl. And although these devices are the most cost-effective, their use in servo systems around the world is gradually declining.

Microwave sensors operate on the same principle, and in fact, are miniature radars.

Active devices do not respond to thermal radiation, like infrared.

Both microwaves and ultrasound do not work on stationary objects. Therefore, in places where fences are installed or trees grow, “shadows” are formed. Being in the shadow, the object is not perceived, being in motion.

How it works?

Using an infrared sensitive device in itself can be inconvenient. Let's imagine a situation where the system will turn on the light of every cat, dog or small mouse. Therefore, an integral part of the sensor must be a mass detector. He will analyze the amount of heat generated and will not turn on the light for a small animal.

When you open the garage door, the device responds to movement in order to avoid such inconvenience, an ordinary switch is turned on in the circuit. Before you get under the car, you need to turn it on, and turn it off when leaving.

The veranda, through which people often walk, the sensor will constantly turn on the light as each person passes. If you install a light controller, it will not allow this to be done during daylight hours.

It becomes obvious that a device is not just a device that stupidly reacts to a certain action. This is a system that intelligently reacts to its surroundings in accordance with the settings set by it.

Selection and purchase of the device

The choice of a sensor, like any purchase, depends on the preferences of the buyer and his financial capabilities.

But first of all, from factors such as:

1. Functional Requests to the device.
2. Installation locations.
3. Destination.
4. The need for interaction with other devices.

As can be seen from the table, the price level for producing countries is approximately the same. Stand alone devices with a wireless control system. Their power is supplied using 9 volt batteries.

At a comparatively high cost, they provide a number of advantages in the form of the absence of wiring as such and the unnecessary manufacture thereof, which also costs money.

Manufacturers and price examples:

Model	Imagenie	Size (cm)	Manufacturer	Price, rub)	Notes
length	width	depth
Motion sensor wall-mounted, overview 110about		13	10	8	PRC	490
DDV-01 motion sensor		Russia	456	140 gr
Wireless IP 44 RIP Motion Sensor		8,4	14,6	Holland	2800	325 gr
Outdoor motion sensor IP 44		8,4	9,6	14,6	Germany	580	170 gr
Motion sensor ceiling room DDP-01 360about		Russia	500	213
The motion sensor is wall, 180about		13	10	8	PRC	520
Motion sensor 110about		8,4	9,4	14	Germany	570	168
AWST-6000 motion detector wired for premises		4,3	14,6	13,8	Holland	2800	135
Motion sensor IR-120 b / wired room		6,4	8,9	12	Germany	1286	140

Installation and Connection

At its core, this device is no different from an ordinary switch, so its connection to the network is almost the same.

First of all, it is necessary to choose the installation location so that its sensitive element controls the desired zone.

An electrical wiring diagram is always included in the device’s kit; you can also find it on the device’s case. A terminal block is located under the cover, three wires of different colors are brought out from it. They go outside.

The sensor receives power from two wires - phase L with blue insulation, and zero - N, brown wire. At the exit from the housing, the phase goes to the contact of the incandescent lamp, zero - to its second contact - zero.

When motion is detected in the coverage area, the device fires and turns on the light. At the end of the connection, the device must be closed with a lid and proceed to connect the wires to junction box.

If you need to connect the switch, it must be installed in parallel by connecting to the device. When the switch is turned on - the lamp burns through it, if not - the lamp is controlled by the sensor.

It is better to entrust the connection of the first device in the house to a specialist, all subsequent ones can be installed by yourself, using the experience gained.

Setting and adjustment

To adjust the device is the most important moment, ensuring the operation of the system in the desired mode.

Each device is equipped with additional controls that allow you to configure it accordingly:

1. Potentiometer for setting the off time "TIME".
2. Dimmer controlat which the LUX sensor is triggered.
3. Infrared Intensity Installerat which it turns on "SENS".

By setting the on-time, you can set the period when the light will be on when there is no movement. The adjustment range of the sensor is 1-600 seconds (it may vary in different models).

With a short stay of a person in a controlled space, for example, a corridor or a cell of a staircase, this installation is best done smaller. In rooms where the location is longer - garage, pantry - installation should be longer.

The “LUX” control allows you to limit the inclusion of the bulb in the presence of a certain level of natural light.

If the room has a large number of windows, the device can be installed at a minimum or medium level.

The SENS variator must be set to operate depending on the size and remoteness of the control object. In the case of a very frequent operation of the device, it is better to reduce its sensitivity. The mode of operation of the device will depend on the time of year, so you will have to set the summer and winter mode of operation.

The general position in the system setup is trial and error. The required mode of operation is established only empirically, since there are no two identical rooms and lighting conditions.

You should also pay attention to the need for ongoing maintenance of regulatory systems in your home.