You probably know that your home security system is designed to detect an intruder in your home. That is, when someone enters your home when they shouldn’t, your home security system alerts your monitoring center. This is a significant aspect of your home security system, and it is worth mentioning that the device that actually detects and alerts the monitoring center is the motion sensor (also motion detector).
In clear terms, a motion detector is a key device in your home security system, responsible for detecting and alerting the monitoring center when someone enters your home at the wrong time. The sensor uses certain technologies to detect movement in an area—it immediately sends a signal to your security system’s control panel if a sensor is tripped. This signal is then received by your monitoring center, indicating a possible threat in your home.
If this sounds new to you or perhaps you’ve got a little knowledge about motion detectors and are looking to learn more, this article will provide more insights to motion detectors, primarily how they work with your home security system and overall home automation. Let’s begin!
How Does Motion Sensors Work for Home Automation System?
You have probably heard of door locks that can be locked and opened via an app installed on your smartphone. Also, control your lighting, refrigerators, and other switch-enable appliances through an app installed on your phone—where you can schedule them to turn on or off at a specific time. These are done through the home automation system. Not to mention your home security system also, that alerts you when an intruder enters your home.
For the home automation system to make all these happen—scheduling specific functions to turn on or off or send signals automatically, a motion detector is responsible for these actions. This is the device that triggers the actions to take place. It is, therefore, safe to say, without a motion detector, your home automation system won’t turn the lights on or off automatically. Also, your refrigerators and other appliances cannot function automatically; your alarm won’t sound, as well as your security system that sends signals to the monitoring center when an intruder enters your home. They all won’t work automatically via schedule without motion detectors.
The detector works using the PIR (Passive Infrared) sensors. This implies that the detector doesn’t sense motion but measures infrared light or changes in the level instead. The ambient heat level of a room is measured by the PIR, when they sense that the heat level is changing rapidly, it’s then detected as a motion by the detectors.
How Motion Sensors Work in a Security System?
As you already know, motion detectors are meant to sense an invader in your home and send signals to your control panel and monitoring system. The sensors work especially when you’re away from home. Your security system can be programmed to work along with motion detectors. That is, when your detectors detect an unusual event, the security system can start recording the event through the security camera.
Basically, motion detectors are part of the security system—that’s why a security system automatically detects an unusual event and alerts the monitoring centers. The sensor is the major device that senses a situation and causes an action to happen. So motion detectors work as a guard and are always ready to react to various situations that occur in your home when you’re away. The system detects movement in your living room, and also detects when the windows or doors opened, closed, or when broken.
Apart from sensing an intruder, your motion detector integrated with your security system can also alert you:
- When kids go into areas that are restricted, such as workout rooms, basement, medicine cabinet, etc.
- When someone gets closer to the front door (doorbell)
- When pets go into restricted areas, etc.
So, you can see that motion detectors are an essential part of your home security system. They work in compliance to keep your home safe when you’re away. If you’ve purchased a motion detector looking to get one, we have provided some tips below for installation and the best place to mount them.
How to Install Motion Detectors?
If you’re one with a bit of technical knowledge, you can choose to get your motion detector installed by flowing the instructions on the manual. Otherwise, you want to get a professional to help you. Of course, hiring a professional is encouraged because this involves your home security system, and it would help if the installation process is done correctly to avoid problems of false alarms.
More so, depending on the design of your house, you need a security expert to check and see what works best for you—whether you need to add window sensors and other security gadgets to complement your detectors.
Where Should Motion Detectors Be Installed?
Your front door is usually the place an intruder would want to go through to access your home. So, this is one of the best places to install your motion detectors. Your windows are also susceptible to attacks. You should consider your windows as well.
Other places to also consider are—your hallways and living room. Note that motion detectors are also used to monitor your children when you’re not at home—when they enter restricted places. Therefore, you want to install motion detectors close to such areas. Your workout room, medicine cabinet, and basement are some of these places.
Wrap Up
Motion sensors are highly effective, as you can see! They are an integral part of your home security system, without which your home security system cannot detect an intruder in your home and also send signals to the monitoring system. Apart from security, these sensors also help in other home automation aspects, such as lighting control, temperature, control, alarm, etc.
So, investing in motion detectors is the right step to strengthen the security in your home. You should always ensure the installation is correctly done to get the best out of your security system.
