The motion-sensing lighting systems have been designed to provide more comfort in people's lives. They have become popular due to the fact that they save the family budget, are simple and convenient to install and in everyday life. Such lamps can be called a reliable assistant to the owners.
Their installation is considered the first step towards complete automation of the living space.
Features of the
This type of luminaires, in comparison with conventional devices with a switch, has a number of advantages for consumers:
As a result of the fact that the light is turned off only when a moving person leaves a certain area, electrical energy is significantly saved. According to statistics, a family saves 40-50% on electricity bills. There are practically no cases when someone has forgotten to turn off the light, and the counter is spinning
The use of such a lighting controller in the house and outside it significantly increases the comfort of the residents. Lighting appears automatically, you do not need to look for the switch button with your hands in the dark
The versatility of use is explained by the fact that the device can be used in any weather and in the house, and on the site, in various public places
Principle of operation
The operation of luminaires with a motion sensor is based on its automatic reaction to moving objects. This property is explained by the fact that the device has a built-in sensor that recognizes any change in temperature conditions, as well as even weak fluctuations in the air environment and changes in heat waves. As a result, the relay is triggered when a person appears in a certain area, and the light is automatically turned on. If there is no movement, the circuit is broken and the lighting is turned off.
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Today, there are devices with a motion sensor on sale, such as:
Infrared devices. They are more often used in living rooms and industrial premises. The principle of operation is based on temperature changes in the environment. As soon as the object appears, a supersensitive photo relay will immediately react to it. The device is absolutely safe, it can be precisely adjusted according to the parameters of the range and angle of detection
Thanks to this, the lamp is indispensable in everyday life, but it also has a significant drawback - you need to move constantly, otherwise, if it is absent for a long time, the light will turn off.
Ultrasonic lights are most often used outside the home. They work as a result of the action of sound, which is transmitted to the receiver, and if the signal is interrupted, the lighting turns on. This model is also used in large apartments along with other lamps. Among the advantages of the luminaire are its relatively low price, the ability to identify objects in clothing of any density, high performance in humid and dusty conditions
The disadvantages include short range, the need for sudden movement, discomfort for pets.
Microwave systems operate on the principle of ultrasonic, but it is not sound that is transmitted to the receiver, but a radio wave. If it is interrupted, a light appears. These lamps are used both at home and outside. They can detect an object even behind a thin obstacle and react to rather weak movements, but at the same time, the roads are less safe for the body and can be triggered by mistake
Various types of sensors are built into the combined model, which makes it possible to expand their scope. Today, for example, similar models of an overhead-type night lamp with an infrared sensor are popular. The indicator is sensitive to the degree of illumination outside the window, which closes the contact
Another task is his work exclusively in the presence of a moving person.
How to choose?
When choosing a lamp, it is worth considering the place of its use. In residential buildings, such lamps are installed in offices, bedrooms, in kitchens and stairs, in corridors, bathrooms, as well as in wardrobes, closets and on loggias. You can purchase overhead or built-in models, the latter are used to a greater extent for light accents in the interior. The most important advantage of the overhead lamp is that there is no need for installation work.
For indoor use, surface-mounted luminaires are produced, which differ in the mounting method. Wall models have a modern design. They usually have an infrared motion sensor installed on stairs, staircases and corridors. Ceiling systems are characterized by a flat shape and an ultrasonic mechanism of action.
Depending on the type of food, they produce:
- Corded models that plug into the socket and are built into the main power line.
- Wireless devices do not need to be plugged into an outlet, but are powered by batteries, solar panels, most often equipped with an infrared sensor.
In a residential apartment or a private house, sensor lamps are often installed with a connection to the network. It is worth noting that many homeowners are now switching to full autonomy, although more often wireless technologies are used in the yard or garden.
In addition, stand-alone luminaires are convenient to use in wardrobes, drawers and wardrobes, as well as outdoors.
If we talk about the choice of the type of lamps, then the simplest option can be considered the traditional one, which has an incandescent filament. It can be widely used in any living room, but it is not the best option for outdoor conditions, since its impermeability can be violated in contact with water. Experts recommend buying fluorescent, halogen or other models with built-in sensors. They will withstand the effects of the natural environment and will last for a long time.
The first in popularity are LEDs due to their economy and convenience. Fluorescent lamps with sensors are widely used in large rooms. Halogen luminaires are most often installed on ceilings, capsule ones - in a closet.
How to connect?
The connection of the devices in question must be made strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's diagram. In general, installation is fairly straightforward. In the design, the device itself and the sensor can be distinguished, which must be connected to the network and installed in such a way that the angle of coverage is maximum, this is especially important if the room is a walk-through.
Therefore, before all the manipulations, the location of the sensor is selected according to the movements of the owners of the house, taking into account the doorways.
The sensor in relation to the luminaire can be located, for example, in the center of the room, and the sensor itself - at the entrance to it. Models with built-in sensors are easier to install and have more space coverage. But in this case, there is no possibility of separate installation of elements.
There are such connection schemes as direct and bypass. In the first case, the lamp is directly connected to the sensor and turns on only in automatic mode. However, it should be borne in mind that with sudden voltage surges, the indicator may burn out, therefore professionals advise using a standard keypad together with the touch switch. This is called a work-around circuit, which is much more expensive to install. To do this, all the contacts of the lamp and the sensor are connected to the contacts of the switch and the network cable.
The phase wire from the sensor leads to the switch, it is not attached directly to the mains phase. Zero is supplied to the network, if necessary, grounded. All actions are accompanied by isolation. For convenience, it is recommended to use a junction box.
If battery power is used, then the installation is the same, but the connection is made to the battery terminals.
Sometimes it is necessary to operate several sensors together in one electrical circuit. This is important if the purchased sensors have a small range of work, as a result, there is no coverage of the required area. Then it is necessary to connect all motion sensors in one phase, and they must be switched on in parallel.
After completing all the work, adjust the sensor. The setting is carried out according to the manufacturer's instructions, taking into account the convenience of the owners. The body of the device is equipped with three types of regulators for adjusting the degree of sensitivity, turn-off delay time and light level. These settings are capable of adjusting the lamp's performance in all operating conditions. Initially, all indicators are set either by the manufacturer or by the owner himself.
If the owner of a luminaire with a built-in sensor does not know the correct setting values, then it is better not to do it yourself and contact a specialist. After all, if the wrong indicator is set, the light will not be enough, the sensor may work constantly or, conversely, not work when it is required.
In general, when connecting, a number of security measures must be observed, including:
- Turning off the power supply in the room before starting work.
- Strict adherence to the installation instructions.
- If the appliance does not work after installation, you should consult a professional.
- During work, make sure that there is no moisture, smoke or fire.
How to disable?
The sensor, as shown above, closes the circuit, and light appears, but it cannot open the contact. It doesn't matter whether the built-in sensor is or not, it only works for turning on, and here the question arises, how to turn off the device. For this, switches are used. However, most modern devices solve this problem, since they have a built-in limiting or shutdown mechanism, which is called a countdown timer.
Such a system includes two types of relays operating in opposite modes - when driving, the first one turns on and light appears, after the countdown, the second relay turns off the lighting.
Operating rules
The weak point in such a lamp is the sensory elements.
Taking into account a number of rules and requirements will preserve its properties and extend its service life:
- Providing a wide coverage area. A number of large objects, which, as a rule, include house flowers, hanging pieces of furniture, bulky draperies, and others will make it difficult to detect the object, which will cause the device to malfunction. Even the correct setting of the sensor, which will eventually give incorrect signals, will not save you from this. As a result, the circuit will constantly open and close, an overload will occur and the device will fail.
- Compliance with the cleanliness of the device. Dust and dirt should be removed regularly with a soft dry cloth.
- Using the system as intended, avoiding increased loads, if not provided by the scheme.
- Instant disconnection of the device from the mains in the presence of damage in the insulation or its case.
Compliance with these rules in everyday life will make it possible to prevent accidents and keep the lamp in working order for a long time.
In general, it is worth highlighting such advantages of equipment with sensors as:
- Savings on electricity bills and a large selection of the type of lamps used.
- Ability to customize the accuracy and running time.
- A wide range of models on the modern market, which makes it possible to diversify any interior.
Disadvantages can also be noted:
- The need to make adjustments to the wiring. This is especially inconvenient when the premises are completely renovated and decorated.
- Failures in the sensitivity of the sensors, which can occur with the slightest movements, overloads in the circuit, constant switching on and off of lamps. The sensor may also have poor sensitivity, which will necessitate additional movements for its correct operation.
The models under consideration have much more advantages. If you choose and install the device correctly, then the disadvantages will come to naught.
Therefore, at present, lamps with a motion sensor for houses, open areas can be called not a luxury item, but a necessity, as evidenced by their widespread use in everyday life.
You can learn how to connect a spotlight with a motion sensor from the video below.
