Installing motion sensors in your home not only makes you more secure, it is also another way to be more efficient. Didn’t you know? Well yes, since you will be able to carry out certain very interesting automations in your home. Placing motion sensors in the right place has its secret, so that they can fulfill their function in the best way. You will learn about all this in this article, where we tell you the best places to install these sensors.
Motion sensors can turn on lights when they detect activity in their range. For this reason, they are a great security measure, since the light will scare away intruders, but will also illuminate your steps when you get home. You will no longer have to search blindly for the switch and, furthermore, it is a measure that allows you to be more sustainable, if you know how to use them, and where to install them. Here you will learn how and where to place them to make the most of their potential.
The importance of a good location
For motion sensors to work well, they have to be placed in the right places. This ensures that they can detect motion effectively and avoid false alarms. This is essential, because if false positives are detected, the lights or other automations you perform will be “jumping” continuously, which can be very annoying.
Where to install motion sensors?
The key is to place them in strategic areas where people traffic is common or where a higher level of security is needed.
- High traffic areas: areas of the house where people walk the most, such as hallways, entrances and stairs, are ideal places to install motion sensors. By placing them here, you ensure that any movement is detected, which is useful for both turning on lights automatically and activating alarms if necessary.
- Strategic corners: offer a wide field of view for sensors. Placing them in these areas maximizes space coverage, as they can monitor multiple directions at once. It’s a great way to ensure there are no blind spots when monitoring a room.
- Suitable height: the ideal is to install it between 2 and 2.5 meters high. This allows it to cover a wide area without leaving unmonitored areas, such as the lower part of the rooms. Additionally, being out of direct reach, it is less likely to be accidentally tampered with or damaged.
What places to avoid?
Not all locations are ideal for installing motion sensors. Here are some places that are better to avoid:
- Near windows or glass: direct sunlight can interfere with the sensors, activating them incorrectly. Additionally, any movement outside the window could cause false alarms.
- Near heat sources: placing the sensors near radiators, hot air vents or stoves is not recommended. Temperature changes can activate the sensor for no reason, causing discomfort and possible security breaches.
- Behind large furniture: If the sensors are blocked by furniture or other large objects, their field of view is reduced, reducing their effectiveness.
Tips for an efficient installation
If you want your installation to fulfill its mission in the best way, follow these tips, once you know the appropriate places where you should install the motion sensors.
- Test before attaching: Before installing the sensor permanently, test different locations to make sure it covers the desired area without problems.
- Keep sensors clean: Dust or dirt buildup can affect sensor performance. Make sure you clean them regularly to keep them working properly.
- Adjust the sensitivity: some sensors allow you to adjust the sensitivity. This is useful to prevent small movements, such as a pet, from triggering the sensor unnecessarily.
As you can see, correctly placing motion sensors is essential to ensure their effectiveness. Remember that good installation not only improves the functionality of the sensors, but also helps prevent false alarms and prolongs the useful life of the equipment.
It is very important to differentiate between a motion sensor and a presence sensor, they are similar devices but their operation is clearly different. Presence sensors are not only capable of detecting movement, but also the presence of a person in the room, even if they remain completely still. Let’s imagine that we go to the bathroom and there is a motion sensor, once it detects us and the lights turn on, after a few seconds they will turn off again, and it will no longer detect us because we are still. However, the presence sensor will continue to detect that there is a person, and the light will remain on until we leave the room.
While motion sensors are generally wireless, in the case of presence sensors, they need continuous power to function, since they are not powered by batteries as is the case with motion sensors.
