Motion detectors for outdoors and indoors
Light provides security. A motion detector never leaves you in the dark and helps you cut energy costs at the same time as lights – for example in staircases – don't stay on longer than absolutely necessary. The light comes on reliably when you don't have a free hand to operate the light switch. And motion detectors also have an affect on uninvited guests outside: Which burglar wants to be put under the spotlight?
This page contains some useful tips and advice on the selection, installation and set-up of motion detectors.
- Technology: How does a motion detector work?
- Application: Which is the right motion detector?
- Installation: Correct installation of motion detector
- Set-up: Correct setting of motion detector
- Further information on Theben motion detectors
Technology: How does a motion detector work?
Theben motion detectors work using passive infra-red sensors (PIR for short) and react to thermal radiation in the immediate environment. Static heat differences such as solar radiation are not measured. The infra-red sensors on the motion detectors react to thermal radiation that changes quickly such as people going up stairs or cars approaching a house. If a motion detector registers thermal radiation in its detection area it converts it into a measurable electrical signal: The light switches on.
Presence detectors for room monitoring are recommended in preference to motion detectors for lighting control in offices, classrooms or meeting rooms. Presence detectors have significantly more sensitive sensors and register even minimal changes to the thermal image, such as typing on a keyboard. More information on presence detectors is available here.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Application: Which is the right motion detector?
There are motion detectors for outdoors and motion detectors for indoor use. Motion detectors for outdoor use have a higher protection class (IP 55) as they are exposed to rain and snow. But the protection class also plays an important role indoors: If motion detectors are to be used in wet rooms such as bathrooms or showers then an appropriate protection class must be used.
Whether you mount the motion detector on the ceiling or a wall depends on the particular circumstances. There are motion detectors for both and models that can only be installed on ceilings or on walls.
Motion detectors for outdoor use:
- SPHINX 105-300 motion detector (300° angle of detection)
- SPHINX 105-220 motion detector (220° angle of detection)
- SPHINX 105-110 motion detector (110° angle of detection)
- LUXA 101-180 motion detector (180° angle of detection)
- LUXA 101-150 motion detector (150° angle of detection)
Motion detectors for indoor use:
- LUXA 103-200 motion detector (200° angle of detection)
- LUXA 103-360 AP motion detector (360° angle of detection, surface-mounted)
- LUXA 103-360 motion detector (360° angle of detection, flush-mounted)
Motion detectors with spotlights:
- LUXA 102-150/150W motion detector (150° angle of detection, 150 W halogen spotlight)
- LUXA 102-150/500W motion detector (150° angle of detection, 500 W halogen spotlight)
In addition to the choice of whether the motion detector should be used indoors or outdoors, the detection area plays a decisive role. If a hallway or corridor is to be monitored, a motion detector mounted on the wall with a semi-circular detection area of 180° is generally sufficient. If you want to monitor two sides of a building with one device, we recommend using a motion detector installed on the external corner of a building with a 300° detection area. Creep under protection is important if you want install the motion detector above the front door and detect movement directly under the device - that is when you are at the front door.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Installation: Correct installation of motion detector
The following points should be taken into account when installing a motion detector to enable optimum functionality and the avoidance of sources of interference:
|
- Movements running across motion detectors are easier to register than direct and head on movements to the motion detector. With movements in front of the device it is difficult to identify changes in temperature. The detection area is therefore smaller than with lateral movements. The detection area for lateral movements is therefore up to 12 m and for movements in front of the motion detector it is only 5 m.
- The higher a motion detector is mounted the bigger the detection area (maximum height: generally 5 m). But as the passive and active zones in the detection area are bigger, sensitivity is reduced.
- Reflective surfaces such as mirrored facades or snow can also influence the detection area and reaction of the motion detector. In the winter months, open windows (escaping warm air) can lead to malfunctions.
- Avoid installing the motion detector near heat sources such as heating outlets, air conditioning units or directly next to lamps.
- Watch out for objects that can move in the wind such as the branches of trees or curtains.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Start-up: Correct setting of motion detector
If the motion detector is installed it's a matter of setting the detection area. The sensor heads on most motion detectors rotate. This enables the optimum setting of the detection area. In order to avoid unnecessary activation – for example the light should not come on when pedestrians walk past on the pavement in front of your property – the detection area can be partially restricted. If you attach the supplied covers in front of the lens the motion detector will not register any movement in the covered segment. The light stays off.
After that, set the time delay and the lux values. Both are set via the potentiometer on the device. Some motion detectors can also be easily set from the ground via remote control. The correct setting of the lux value varies greatly as every person experiences "too dark" or "too bright" differently. Here is a short summary of different light scenarios and their relevant lux values:
| Bright sunny day | 100,000 lx |
| Overcast summer's day | 20,000 lx |
| In the shade in the summer | 10,000 lx |
| ???????Operating theatre?? | 10,000 lx |
| ?Overcast winter's day | 3,500 lx |
| TV studio lighting | 1,000 lx |
| Office/room lighting | 500 lx |
| Corridor lighting | 100 lx |
| Street lighting | 15 lx |
| Candle at a distance of approx. 1 metre | 1 lx |
| Full moon | 0,25 lx |
| Clear night sky (new moon) | 0,001 lx |
There are also no fixed guide values for the time delay. Here it depends on the requirements you place on the motion detector. For example, if you have connected a fan to the motion detector in the bathroom, a longer time delay is recommended for better ventilation than with the installation of the motion detector outdoors. If the motion detector does not register any more movement outside, the light can be switched off again a short time afterwards.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Further information on Theben motion detectors:
"Motion detector" product finder
Download brochures and catalogues free of charge
Service hotline
Our hotline is available to answer your questions on the subject of motion detectors:
+49 (0) 7474/ 692-369.
Our opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 7.00 to 18.00 and Friday: 7.00 to 16.00
You can contact our hotline out of hours via email at hotline@theben.de.