What is a Motion Sensor Outdoor Wall Light?
A motion sensor outdoor wall light is a light fixture that automatically turns on when it senses movement in its field of view, stays on for a set time, and goes off again. A motion sensor outdoor wall light bases its operations on everything around us, giving off heat-containing infrared waves. Motion-sensing outdoor wall lights use a motion detector and an infrared sensor to detect the heat waves coming off an object like a person or animal. When it senses the waves that constitute a movement, the light will turn on depending on its programming parameters. Outdoor wall lights with motion sensors come in many shapes and sizes. For example, you can find small lights or large lanterns, or even floodlights that allow you to see your entire property from one place on the street corner.
Power and Lighting Options
There are several options for motion sensor outdoor wall lights, which means finding the right light for you can take some forethought. To help you with an informed decision, here’s an overview of the different power and lighting options available.
Motion sensor outdoor wall lights come in many styles. Some are battery-powered, while others are solar-powered or plug-in. Some models are hardwired into your home’s electrical system.
They typically use LED or incandescent bulbs or both in terms of lighting. There are also dusk-to-dawn models that will automatically turn on at night and off when light appears in the morning. Models that offer dimmable LEDs can create a soft glow at night or bright illumination for safety. Lastly, there is an option for color-changing models or ones with adjustable color temperature to customize the look of your light fixture from cool white to warm white light tones as desired.
Finally, smart motion sensor outdoor wall lights offer even more versatility with features like auto shut-off timers and remote control functionality so you can adjust the output from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.
Weight and battery life
Battery capacity can also affect how long your light will last. You want to consider your potential purchase battery life and how much it weighs with batteries on. If it does not include batteries, you’ll need to factor in the cost of batteries to determine whether you can afford a particular product.
Mounting and compatibility
One good thing about motion sensor outdoor wall lights is their versatility. You can mount the sensors on a wall or attach them to your garage ceiling. You can even use your motion sensor lighting indoors if you want, and you don’t need to worry whether or not your new lights will be compatible with bulbs.
Types of Motion Sensors
There are many motion sensors, each with its benefits and drawbacks.
Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor: PIR sensors work by detecting changes in temperature around them to detect when someone has entered the area. It can also recognize animals or other moving objects that emit heat. They form a high-end security system that detects when someone walks through an invisible threshold, such as a doorway or window.
Dual Technology (DT) sensors:Â The sensors operate through a trigger of heat and motion. If either one is blocked, the sensor will not trigger light or alarm.
Ultrasonic sensors rely on sound waves instead of radiation to detect movement and typically operate in indoor applications. However, they cannot work well in windy outdoor environments or long distances.
Microwave sensors emit microwave radiation at very high frequencies that bounce off objects and back to the sensor. By analyzing how microwaves reflect off objects in the room, the sensors will tell if there are people, animals, or other moving objects.
Benefits and Applications of a Motion Sensor Outdoor Wall Light
Security
You can program a motion sensor outdoor wall light to distinguish between different types of movement and prevent them from turning on for any movement. With some models, you can set them to turn on only when there’s large-scale movement. Other models can sense even small-scale movement, like when a squirrel runs across your lawn. Some models allow settings that sense particular heat signatures.
It is intended for outdoor use and may come with a light and an alarm, which sounds when it detects movement. In addition to being a practical addition to your home security measures, they also serve as a deterrent. They may even lower your homeowner’s insurance premiums due to their inclusion in your home security plan.
Savings
They’re an easy way to save on energy costs. Their light is automatically turned on or off when people or animals move around or pass across their path. Like any outdoor lighting device, they can provide a safe pathway without dazzling drivers with bright floodlights at the expense of illumination in larger areas. Finally, they have good visual appeal in that they can add interest and playfulness to a landscape while not being overdone.
Conclusion
A motion sensor outdoor wall light works by detecting the movement of an object with an infrared detector. Aside from security, a motion-sensing outdoor light has other applications and benefits. A motion sensor outdoor wall light saves you money because it isn’t always on and makes your home safer by providing illumination for visitors and passersby. In addition, they lend a unique aesthetic look to your house.
