Home Security is like an onion – layered technologies make it harder to reach the center. (And make burglars more likely to cry as each layer unfolds!) Motion sensors, also known as motion detectors, are an excellent and essential level to your home security equation.
Types of motion sensors for Home Security: Before we discuss into the benefits of motion detectors, let’s just go over the basic types:
Active Infrared Sensors
Active infrared detectors emit a constant electrical signal that uses infrared light (heat) beams that connect to a light detector. If the infrared beams are interrupted, your detector sounds the alarm.
Passive Infrared Detectors
A Passive Infrared sensor passively waits for and infrared event. When a heat source, like the human body, passes by, the sensor detects the moving presence and sounds the alarm. These are the most common sensors in home security.
Active Ultrasonic Sensors
Active Ultrasonic Sensors use high frequency sound waves (you can’t hear them) that work like a boomerang: This waves are sent out and then return to the sensor, reporting any suspicious interruptions in the sound waves (in other words a human body obstructing the ultrasonic path).
Passive Ultrasonic Detectors
Instead of actively sending out sound waves, these detectors wait passively for a sound event, like shattering windows. The sound waves emitted by such an occurrence are what trigger a passive ultrasonic detector.
Advantages of Home Security Motion Detectors
Motions sensors are an essential weapon in your home security arsenal. Your house alarm system is a lot harder to breach – and most prowlers are much less adept then they think they are – but still, layered security promises added peace of mind when it comes to your family’s safety.
The sole purpose of a motion sensor – and its biggest benefit – is providing further security against burglars. If your alarm system is somehow breached without alerting you to an open door or window, your motion detectors will sense the intruder and sound the alarm. This gives you time to reach safety while calling for police assistance.
Today’s motion-sensing technology is very advanced, so you no longer have to worry about false alarms from small or medium pets. They’re also easily disabled, so you can get up for a glass of warm milk in the middle of the night.
A Note on Motion Sensing Lights
Putting lights on a motions sensor is a very simple and effective – not to mention inexpensive – way to secure your property. You can place flood lights, garden lights, your front entrance light, and other outdoor lighting on motion sensors. Many indoor/outdoor motion sensor lights can be easily installed on your own.
Motion-sensing lights provide several benefits:
Reduce Crime: Statistics show that well-lit communities have lower crime rates than neighbourhood with poor lighting.
No Place to Hide: When the exterior of your home is well lit, would-be burglars have no place to lurk or hide.
Warning Signs: If your flood lights suddenly go on, it’ll give you the chance to investigate or call the police.