Recommended motions for triggering lights and security

[RHT]

Hi,

I have tried a couple of motion detectors to trigger lighting (HAI triggeres UPB Lights) and they seemed not very sensitive. The first one I tried was a microwave/ir combo. Probably great for false alarm immunity but not very sensitive. Next one I tried used a fresnel lens..still not great. Does anyone recommend a very sensitive motion detector that will pick up the slightest movement but will not easily false?

I have done some research and its seems that the mirror optic detectors are most sensitive

Has anyone had success with other detectors for this dual role?

RHT

 

[pkoslow]

I just posted a reply to your question in another forum:
http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?s=&amp...ost&p=93679

It's my opinion that some PIR/microwave based motion sensors will work well to turn lights on when you walk in a room. Most can be set with a jumper or potentiometer to adjust the sensitivity or number of pulses it takes to set them off. The downside is that you up the chance of false alarms if you're using the same sensor for security. Also, if you have pets, by the time you get one sensitive enough to be acceptable for your lighting control, you'll probably loose good pet immunity.

If you don't have pets to worry about falsing, you can probably get by with security PIRs to turn lights on when you walk in a room acceptably. For rooms where you tend to keep moving like closets, baths, garage, laundry (maybe kitchen), you can also use them to turn lights off after a set amount of non-activity.

Where you'll never be able to get true occupancy using this type of sensor is in rooms where you might be for extended times and not move much. These would be rooms like offices, living room, family room, etc. If you're sitting there watching the TV, reading a book or working on the computer, traditional security motion sensors will time out and shut the lights off on you and you'll be waving your arms in the air to get the lights back on.

For these rooms you'll need to employ a true occupancy sensor. Most are ceiling mount designs and are ultrasonic bases... they can pick up slight movements like typing on a keyboard, flipping the pages of a book, or thumbing your remote while you channel surf. They can even pick up movement without direct line of sight. The caveat is they don't make good security sensors, so you'll need to also use a traditional motion sensor in the same room if security is needed.

Here's a thread with some additional information:
http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showto...mp;hl=occupancy

Cheers,
Paul

 

[RHT]

I just posted a reply to your question in another forum:
http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?s=&amp...ost&p=93679

It's my opinion that some PIR/microwave based motion sensors will work well to turn lights on when you walk in a room. Most can be set with a jumper or potentiometer to adjust the sensitivity or number of pulses it takes to set them off. The downside is that you up the chance of false alarms if you're using the same sensor for security. Also, if you have pets, by the time you get one sensitive enough to be acceptable for your lighting control, you'll probably loose good pet immunity.

If you don't have pets to worry about falsing, you can probably get by with security PIRs to turn lights on when you walk in a room acceptably. For rooms where you tend to keep moving like closets, baths, garage, laundry (maybe kitchen), you can also use them to turn lights off after a set amount of non-activity.

Where you'll never be able to get true occupancy using this type of sensor is in rooms where you might be for extended times and not move much. These would be rooms like offices, living room, family room, etc. If you're sitting there watching the TV, reading a book or working on the computer, traditional security motion sensors will time out and shut the lights off on you and you'll be waving your arms in the air to get the lights back on.

For these rooms you'll need to employ a true occupancy sensor. Most are ceiling mount designs and are ultrasonic bases... they can pick up slight movements like typing on a keyboard, flipping the pages of a book, or thumbing your remote while you channel surf. They can even pick up movement without direct line of sight. The caveat is they don't make good security sensors, so you'll need to also use a traditional motion sensor in the same room if security is needed.

Here's a thread with some additional information:
http://www.cocoontech.com/index.php?showto...mp;hl=occupancy

Cheers,
Paul

Thank you for you feedback

I only want to use motions in pathways, stairways and other area where you will not be for long...like a closet or toilet room etc...I want to control light levels and dim rates based on a few modes...evening lighting mode(still walking around doing stuff), nite mode (getting ready for bed), and late nite mode (pee time, late night snack)


Thanks