Street lighting with a motion sensor is a convenient option for home owners. Electricity is saved, since light burns only in the presence of a person. A security function is also partially provided.
Types of motion sensors to turn on the light on the street
The motion sensor allows you to record the movement of an object of a given value. The sensor transmits the registered signal to the connected device, and the control unit of the latter performs the programmed action.
The types of motion sensors to turn on the light are diverse.
According to the type of food, 2 options are distinguished:
- Network - power supply from a network of 220 V. This is a more convenient option, especially for sensors of internal systems.
- Rechargeable - equipped with 12 V batteries. Usually these are wireless models that transmit a radio signal.
The device fixes movement on a site in different ways. There are 4 categories:
- Ultrasonic - the device generates ultrasonic waves with a frequency of 20-60 kHz and captures the reflected ones. If an object moves within range, the frequency changes. Sensor advantages: weather independent, low price, safety. However, the radius of action is small and it only works at a high speed of movement. Ultrasound irritates dogs and cats, but for the same reason accelerates mice.
- Infrared - register the thermal waves emitted by the object. There are 2 sensors that measure temperature in different areas of the sector. Pros: the sensor does not respond to swinging branches, moving curtains, does not affect well-being. Cons: direct sunlight, heated air from a heater or air conditioner causes false positives.
- Microwave - the principle of operation is similar to an ultrasonic sensor. The sensor emits electromagnetic waves with a high frequency and captures the reflected signal. Typically, the frequency is 5.8 Hz. Plus: observation of several zones, the ability to "see" through thin brick and wooden partitions. Minus: the sensor is quite expensive, and high-frequency radiation is potentially dangerous.
- Combined - combine infrared and high-frequency sensor. It has the positive properties of sensors of both types and compensates for their shortcomings.
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- Combined
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- Microwave
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- Ultrasound
Ultrasonic or infrared sensors are more suitable for street lighting, as they react poorly to weather conditions.
Specifications
Which motion sensor to turn on the light is better to choose depends on its qualities and features of the lighting system.
Viewing angle
Distinguish between ceiling and wall models. The first has a viewing angle of 360 degrees. If mounted on a wall, its capabilities remain unused. In the wall version, the angle reaches 180 degrees. Usually they are installed near the entrance.
Action range
The radius is indicated in the passport - from 6 to 50 m. It is not worth increasing the sector by placing the sensor higher than the manufacturer recommends. In this case, blind spots appear.
Power
This indicator is determined by the power of the connected fixtures. Sensor power should exceed them by 20%. If you cannot purchase a suitable sensor, you can connect a starter or relay to the circuit.
Additional functions
The motion sensor is equipped with additional devices.
- Light sensorThe motion sensor in the lighting circuit is triggered day and night. Since the lamps do not need to be switched on during the day, the system is equipped with a light sensor. In this case, the light turns on only in the dark.
- Protection from animals. If the device is sensitive enough, it reacts to small objects - a dog, a cat. To avoid this, configure the security option. However, if a dog with a large weight lives in the apartment, the sensor will turn on the light for it.
- Shutdown delay. The sensor supports turning on while the object moves continuously. It is not always convenient in the toilet or bathroom, on the porch of the cottage. The option provides a delayed shutdown.
Options increase the cost of the device. This must be taken into account.
Location selection
Choose a place taking into account the type of sensor and method of installation.
- Ceiling mounted at a height of 2.5–3 m. The radius of action is 10–20 m, usually this is enough.
- Wall mounted inside the building or on the street. The height of fixation is 2–2.5 m. The radius of action is different.
Ultrasonic and microwave sensors are most effective if the object moves towards them. Infrared works better if objects move across the observation area. This is taken into account when placing.
Adjustable Installation
The choice of connection scheme is determined by the nature of the rooms: with or without windows, with the need to turn on the light without a sensor, and more.
- In a dark room with no windows, the regulator is connected to the gap of the phase wire that powers the lamp. The phase and neutral wires lead to the input of the sensor, from its output the phase is pulled to the lamp, and zero is connected to the ground.
- For street lighting, a photorelay or switch is included in the circuit. Both devices put in a phase gap. A photo relay is placed in front of a motion sensor. It is activated when the light sensor detects the absence of daylight.
- If the light should not only turn on, but also illuminate the site for some time, a switch is mounted in parallel with the motion sensor. If the lighting should be constant, flip the switch. Until the switch is turned off, the lighting is activated when the sensor is triggered.
The device goes on sale with factory settings. They can be changed:
- the body is equipped with movable joints, which allows you to adjust its position;
- adjust the sensitivity - at the maximum value, the sensor is triggered when not only a person, but also appears on pets;
- light level - indicated by LUX;
- turn-off delay time is controlled by the TIME wheel - from 5 to 10 minutes;
- if there is a photo relay in the device, the level of illumination at which the sensor should be triggered is also adjusted.
It is recommended that you first set the minimum values, then increase as necessary.
Rules for choosing a motion sensor to turn on the light on the street
How to choose and configure a motion sensor to turn on the light on the street is described in the instructions for the device. Several parameters are taken into account:
- Operating range - a model with a range of 4–6 m is enough to control the landing or porch in front of the house. To turn on the lighting of the courtyard in front of the cottage, you need an option with a range of 20–25 m.
- Protection class at least IP54. If the region is rainy or the site is located on the seashore, where the humidity is higher, select a model with indicators not lower than 65.
- For the street you need a solid case with a set of water and frost resistant layers.
For outdoor lighting, only wall-mounted sensors with a viewing angle of 180 degrees are suitable.
They use devices in different areas: security lighting of a site, enterprise territories, lighting of sidewalks, roads, alleys, decorative solutions in squares and parks.
