I'm thinking of putting some dual technology occupancy sensors in each bedroom. Then I started wondering exactly what kinds of sounds do these sensors pick up? I like the SensorSwitch (WSD PDT LV). Does anyone have experience with this type of sensor? What types of sounds would trigger them?
What "sounds" will Sonic Occupancy Sensors pick up?
- Thread starter DotNetDog
- Start date
These pick up audio and detect motion using passive IR. I'm not sure they are a good choice for a bedroom unless the occupants are pretty noisy or they move around very often. Maybe in a kids room if the kids eat lots of sugar. These are more often used for public rest rooms or businesses where people move around often. The location of the switch in a bedroom, usually at the entrance, also is not usually ideal. You can play around with it, but I don't think in the end that you will be happy with the results.
That makes sense. What do you think about this one (PIR only)?
http://www.visonic.com/Products/Wired-Detectors/Disc
wuench
Senior Member
I don't think that is an occupancy sensor, I think that is a security sensor. If you want to turn lights on/off you want an occupancy sensor. If you want to only detect intruders, (i.e. tuned to prevent false alarms) you want a security sensor.
Lagerhead
Active Member
My office has these installed. I recall reading that they are designed to pick up "human sounds" which I supposed are breathing, rustling clothing, that sort of thing. The little "activity LED" comes on from any sort of movement but sitting behind my desk from across the room I can't tell if it is because of PIR or sounds.
Now, the guy in the next office sometimes has his lights go out while he is there. We have a laugh wondering whether he is asleep or dead. But he has a tall monitor stack between himself and the light switches, so apparently both his heat motion and his sounds can be masked in this way. To be fair however, this is not usual. In general they work very, very well.
