Motion sensor light have become a very important part of modern home security systems. It is one of the best way to keep off trespassers and thieves from your property. This is because criminals tend to go for homes and places with poor or no lighting. That is why you need one for your home as it will keep off burglars trying to mess with around.
Motion sensor lights are designed in a manner that they turn on whenever there is movement. They automatically turn on to tell you there is someone or something passing. If it is an intruder, the lights will scare them off. Apart from reducing break-ins, these lights are also great save for energy costs.
Choosing a Motion Sensing Security Light
Choosing the right sensor lights may not be as easy as it sounds.
Technology has gone far in this field. Since using electricity may be a bit on the higher side, it would be a better idea to install solar light for security. They are designed to work with high powered batteries that can store power and keep your property secure.
The fact that most security solar lights are wireless makes them even more portable. You only need to install them from a strategic point, and all your worries are taken care of.
In this guide, we are going to take you through different ways to ensure your home is properly secured with sensor lights. The aim here is to make your work easier, especially when choosing solar sensor lights. But before that, first things first:
How do Motion Sensor Lights Work?
It is important to start from the technology behind sensor lights. This will enable you to go to the shop with some ideas of what to look for. It may save you on some costs as well as you won’t spend time wondering how they will help you.
As mentioned above, motion sensors are made with detectors that pick up motion within a certain reach. They are designed with proximity sensor properties. They depend on high-end technology to sense movement in the area they are installed. When the sensor is triggered, the light comes on, of course with the intention of making the moving thing visible to you and to be recorded on security cameras.
There are different types of motion sensors, based on the technology used to detect movement. Here are some common technologies.
1. Microwave
These are generally very expensive. One reason that makes them costly is that they can cover a very large area. In other words, microwave motion sensors are the best in the market. They operate by sending out microwave pulses. The pulses measure reflection on any object moving around.
2. Passive infrared
You may have already come across this type. They are very common and among the cheapest option. Generally, they use body heat to detect motion. If the heat levels in the area they are set to monitor changes rapidly, the sensors will trip, in the process turning on the lights.
3. Dual Technology Motion Sensors
These type of sensors are aimed at reducing false alarms. They include a combination of motion sensor technologies that must be tripped together for any action to follow. For instance, you can put together a microwave sensor and an infrared one. It the wind shakes branches in your home, the latter will not set off because there are no heat changes. For this combination you get the benefit of both technologies to improve on accuracy.
4. Area Reflective
This is a technology that enables LED lights to send out infrared rays to a certain distance. These are invisible rays that can detect movement and trip the sensor, lighting up the area.
5. Ultrasound
This works by simply sending out of high-frequency sounds that cannot be heard. Whenever the frequencies bounce back from a moving object, the sensor is tripped, and the lights turn on automatically.
6. Vibration
There is a lever with a small mass on this type of sensors. The lever is used to detect any vibrations in the area. Since movement causes vibration, a certain density will trip the sensor, sending an impulse to the lights.
The choice of a sensor type depends on your preference and budget. However, what matters most is the lights you use. And that takes us to the next step:
Choosing the Best Motion Sensor Lights
You want to make your home more secure and keep intruder away. Maximizing your outdoor security lighting is, therefore, the best place to start.
If you decide to use wireless lights, your options are limitless. Today, there are so many companies that offer different wireless motion sensor lights’ products, you will definitely find one that serves your needs. To be able to choose one, consider the following aspects:
Is one bright light better than lots of little lights?
The aim here is to get the brightest option. There must be no dark sport around the area as those can be taken advantage of by thieves. Most wireless security sensors are solar-powered, meaning they are powered by stored energy. This is why most are designed with lumens and they are not very big. Consider putting a number of them in different areas of your home.
Clear or white light?
There is no doubt that the colored lights are beautiful. But for someone interested in security, they may not be what you want. They can, for instance, distort important facts like changing the color of the burglar’s cloth. Therefore, use white light so that you can get the facts as they are.
Should you choose light specifically meant for security?
This question is very important. Thieves are becoming smarter and know which lights are used for security. Some even have them in their homes. Therefore, it might a good idea to combine security lights with the normal types.
Solar sensor lights, for instance, are much smaller than normal flood lights. But they are very effective. Most are softer but will give you or someone monitoring your home enough time to see what is happening.
What to consider when buying motion sensor lights
You will have many available options, if you decide to get these lights, here are things to put in mind:
- Light type: most wireless lights are LED. They are brighter, consume less light, and are safer.
- Range of the motion sensor: in general, motion sensors can get a signal of up to 100ft. They have a detection angle of 100 degrees to 270 degrees. You can, therefore, get one according to your needs.
- Luminance: this is all about how bright you want your lights to be. You want to get the best. Consider the number of lumens in each bulb.
- Power source: there are two main sources of power for wireless sensor light; battery and solar. Both have positives and negatives, but it will all come down to your preference and budget.
What are the Best Wireless Motion Sensor Lights
We have gone through considerations you need to make, when selecting motion sensor lights. There are many different companies producing security lighting solutions. However, not all may be good for you. Choosing your lights carefully can be the difference between the best and worst experiences. Here are some great options that we have tested and confirmed to be reliable:
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1 | outdoor lights | Unique Waterproof Heatproof Wireless Easy installation |
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2 | lights | Wireless Brighter Wider detection 20.5% conversion of sunlight into energy Works best with direct sunlight. |
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3 | wireless sensor lights outdoor | Replaceable batteries Lights charge faster and serve longer Degrades much faster |
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4 | solar lights | Waterproof Heatproof as well as frost-proof Have a high-capacity battery |
How to Install a Motion Sensor Light in Your Home
Even though each kind of motion sensor light product will come with a set of instructions, there are still a few important things you must take care of. For instance, there are factors such as electrical failures, poor placement, bad equipment, and many others that can cause a false alarm. Sometimes even rats can cause the light to go on, which can be quite disturbing.
To minimize these errors, you can take advantage of the tips below:
- Placement: install them where people are most likely to walk through. Areas such as front/back door, patio doors, garage, and the similar regions can attract thieves.
- Exposure: in the case of solar lights, you want to make sure enough sunlight gets to them.
- Proximity: we have already mentioned this above. Motion sensors cover 50-100 feet. Install them within the proper range of vulnerable areas.
Final Thoughts
Wireless sensor security lights have become quite popular in the modern world. However, one must be careful when installing them for their home security. The whole process from choosing the lights to installing may seem overwhelming, but it quite easy. With the tips shared above, you will be able to get the right ones for your home.