Motion sensor alarms are an important security device for homes with children and pets. They can also be used to monitor a room or hall without having to install wiring throughout the house. Motion sensors detect motion by sensing changes in heat, light, sound, or movement so they are not fooled by shadows and other natural occurrences. Despite the easy-to-follow instructions, there is no substitute for a professional installation.
Main features of a motion sensor alarm:
Motion sensor alarms use infrared or ultrasonic waves to detect motion, and some can also be set to send a warning signal before they go off. Most motion detectors have a built-in delay that ranges from 3 seconds up to 30 seconds before activation. By default, they are not sensitive enough for pets and children.
Motion sensor alarms have two modes:
– the armed mode where it will automatically detect motion and alarm when it detects a disturbance (e.g., someone opening your home’s door or window)
– the disarmed mode, which is used to monitor a room without alarming you unnecessarily until there is an intruder detected in that monitored zone. This feature can be useful for monitoring hallways, doors, windows, stairwells etc.
Motion sensors typically come equipped with three different settings: Off (the default setting), Low Sensitivity and High Sensitivity . The type you use depends on how much activity there’s going on around your house – do you want to be alerted of motion at all times or only when it’s too late?
The sensitivity levels will also affect the range of detection. If you have a large house with many rooms, hallways and staircases (all potential points for an intruder) then using Low Sensitivity would create delays between detecting motion and activating your alarm system – giving them more time to enter your home.
If there are no other people in the house that could set off false alarms such as pets running around on the floor so often, but you still want to err on safe side by getting notified whenever any kind of movement is detected inside the monitored zone than High Sensitivity is a good option .
You can adjust these settings according to what fits your needs the best.
Motion sensor alarms work well as indoor security devices because they cannot be easily disabled by simply disconnecting them from power sources like other types of home security systems. Someone would have to know how to disable wiring, electronics, or remove batteries to stop motion sensor alarms.
The downside of these sensors is that they are often more expensive than other types of security systems, and require homeowners or renters to drill holes into their walls in order to set up this type of system which may not work well for people who rent apartments with strict rules against altering the building’s structural integrity.
Where should you place the motion detector?
In the case that you have a motion detector installed on your property, it is important to place it in an area where its range will cover as much of the monitored zone as possible and at a height or angle which does not make it susceptible to being tampered with by intruders.
Some motion detectors are designed to be mounted on a ceiling or wall, while others can be placed inside of an outdoor fixture such as the porch light.
For best results, motion sensors should be placed at a 45 degree angle and have an unobstructed view of where people are most likely to walk. It is important that it detects any movements in its monitored zone. This feature can be useful for monitoring hallways, doors, windows, stairwells etc.
If you are concerned about burglars, then placing your alarm outside or inside of windows near ground level with direct visibility towards entry points and other vulnerable zones that thieves would target if they want to break into your home.
Motion detectors can also be placed on windowsills for added protection against intruders coming through an open window.
In an outdoor area (or locations around large objects) you may want to consider using infrared sensors which emit no light but work at night or in lower lighting conditions.
If you have a lot of trees or bushes in your yard, try placing the motion detector at least 20 feet away to avoid false alarms when leaves blow around in the wind.
Keep in mind that if you have signs of animals coming into your yard, like raccoons for example, then it will make sense to place one outside where they frequent instead of inside the home.
How to install motion sensors?
When installing your motion sensor alarm system at home, make sure that you read through all of the instruction manuals before proceeding with installation.
The installation process varies depending on whether your device was purchased as a component part of a security system kit or if you are installing one motion sensor on its own.
A basic motion sensor alarm requires no wiring other than power because they come with their own battery backup and are easily mounted to a wall.
To install a more sophisticated motion sensor on your own, you will need to find the studs in your walls and drill holes for mounting screws before attaching the device using either tape or wire clips that come with it.
If there is no room for drilling or if you want something more secure than adhesive strips, then installing into a drywall. It will require running wires from the power source as well as powering up the unit’s circuitry by flipping a toggle switch inside of it according to which type of battery backup was included when purchased (either an AC adapter plug-in through an outlet or AA/AAA batteries).
Make sure that this is done properly so that there are no unintentional false alarms due to an obstructed view of the motion sensor’s field of vision by people or objects.
Can motion detectors replace home security alarms?
No, motion sensor alarms are not a substitute for other home security systems.
A motion sensor alarm will detect movement in its field of vision and scare off intruders by sounding an ear-piercingly loud noise that is programmed into the device according to your preferences. It can be used as part of a layered approach with other types of security measures such as doorbell camera or home automation devices like the Amazon Echo Show which have built-in motion sensors. Motion sensor alarms work well when there’s just one entrance point at ground level but do nothing against people who enter through upper windows or balcony doors from outside on a second floor up. They also cannot replace smoke detectors for those living in homes without sprinklers.
Since motion sensor alarms are not a complete replacement for more comprehensive security measures, it’s important to think about the circumstances under which you may need them in order to decide whether or not they’re right for your home.