Lamps with a motion sensor: how they work, how to connect + TOP of the best manufacturers

In connection with the continuous improvement of lighting devices, new opportunities appear and their operational characteristics improve. The result is lamps with a motion sensor - convenient and economical devices.

This new product has gained a good reputation among consumers. In this article we will talk about the principle of operation of such lamps, their design features, and also reveal the secrets of their installation.

Purpose of the motion sensor

The sensor element has the function of determining the fact of the movement of any object in the reach zone and lighting control. The lamp itself has nothing to do with responding to certain circumstances, but after a signal from the sensor arrives, it turns on or off.

As soon as some action is noticed in the coverage area, a pre-laid function on the relay is activated. Not only the “turn on” command can be given, but also a signal to change a parameter such as power. For light bulbs with motion sensor and dimmer it is possible to adjust the indicators of illumination by time of day.

The interaction of the sensor, the dimmer and the lamp, as well as the time delay for switching on depends on previously programmed system settings. The last action is the activation of the command to activate the lamp after a set period of time, as a result of which it becomes possible to save electricity.

Lamps, supplemented by a built-in motion sensor, are most often installed in residential premises, offices, entrances. They are also used for smart outdoor lighting.

A luminaire with a motion sensor is the best option for a lighting device in the entrance. It will only be turned on when a person appears in the front door or stairwell

A person, by his characteristic carelessness, can leave the light on, and this turns into additional costs. The lamp, which turns on after the room becomes empty, simply solves this problem.

Types of lamps with motion detection

Depending on how the energy source is used, lamps can be:

1. Stationary. They function only when connected to the network. You can not install them anywhere.
2. Portable. These are stand-alone, battery-powered devices. A plus is the lack of communication with the wires, but there is a power limit.

As an energy supplier, not only a traditional power grid can be used. There are lamps equipped with solar panels with battery. Only LED lights can work with such power, because they need a minimum of electricity.

By the connection method, there are two options: in the first of them, the motion sensor is connected to the lamp using a wire and it is called remote.

Led lamp equipped with a DD type sensor. Powered by batteries. Thanks to mobility, you can apply it anywhere

In the second - the sensor element and the lamp are a single design, the sensor in this case is called built-in. The reading element can be both infrared and ultrasonic based on microwave radiation.

Lamp with infrared detector

The most popular are devices supplemented by infrared detectors. They are activated when the thermal characteristics in the control zone change. These IR sensors are classified as passive. These devices have a large capture angle, high precision settings, safe radiation.

Lamps equipped with motion sensors are an excellent and competent solution both for modern lighting of housing, outbuildings, stairs, a house adjoining area, and for large-scale use

Designed luminaires with passive infrared detectors for internal use only. Their use for lighting courtyards and streets is impossible due to poor resistance to temperature extremes. They put them out of action.

Ultrasonic and microwave options

This type of motion sensors are active according to the principle of action. They have a common principle of operation - the emission and acceptance of waves of a specific length. Luminaires with sensors that respond to ultrasonic frequencies are universal. For them, atmospheric effects are not terrible, therefore they are suitable both for installation in the house, and from the outside.

But ultrasonic sensors have drawbacks, and the main one is the negative effect on animals that can capture radiation. To this you can add a limited coverage area, a little accuracy.

Sensors based on microwave radiation operate due to the propagation of magnetoelectric waves at a frequency of more than 5 GHz. They are equipped with lamps installed in household, industrial premises. Here, their action is designed to pass partitions and walls.

Expensive models of lamps with sensors that respond to movement are equipped with control panels. Their design includes several readers that control and to some extent overlap each other's zones of influence.

A new generation lamp with two motion sensors - IR and ultrasonic. At the time of their simultaneous operation, the lamp turns on

Lamps with sensors are designed for power from an alternating current source with voltage of 220 V. The maximum power is up to 2 kW, although there are devices operating from 12 V.

Lamp design features

The difference between a light bulb with a motion sensor and the most common is the presence of a reacting element. The shell is made in the form of a lamp, floor lamp, chandelier or ceiling. Paired with a motion detector, different lamp options are used: LED, fluorescent, halogen.

The most successful is the tandem with LED lamp. These functional devices are compact and easy to install. LED models are sometimes additionally equipped with an independent control relay, controller. Thanks to the presence of these options, you can control both brightness and glow parameters.

In the photo, a lamp with a motion sensor Lemanso lm650. Apply the device to illuminate any room. Installation is extremely simple — similar to screwing a regular light bulb

In some cases, the circuit includes protective systems that protect against short circuit, temperature overloads, high voltages. Regardless of the internal configuration, the principle of operation of such lamps is unchanged: the lighting device must have a reading element - a sensor.

Advantages and disadvantages of motion detection lamps

An electronic eye lamp has many advantages. These devices are very convenient - when the system goes into automatic mode, there is no need for manual control.

The advantage is the versatility of the fixtures. They can be equipped with any type of light element, starting from a simple incandescent lamp and ending with the most modern and economical light bulb.

Manufacturers produce these devices in a large size range. Since they work only periodically, their service life is long. Lamps can be very decorative, so they are often used in landscaping.

High-quality fixtures with a motion detector have mechanical and electronic adjustment levels. In the first case, it means the angle of inclination, and in the second - the time of the glow, the sensitivity of the sensor

An alarm system can be connected to a luminaire with a motion sensor. Such an alliance will help protect the yard from the robbers. A good solution is a lamp with a beam that is configured according to all the rules and is located above the front door or in a dark garage. But the main advantage is the cost-effectiveness of these lighting devices. They save between 50 and 70% of electricity.

The disadvantages include two features of such lamps. First, the sensor is not able to detect a movement that has a perpendicular orientation with respect to it. The second - for a room where people have been staying for a long time, such a device is of little use.

Features of the installation of lamps

To connect the lamp, supplemented by a sensor, all circuits that are used for simple motion detector. There are three types of such schemes.

The first is a parallel connection of the device to the switch. In this situation, the lighting is turned on both due to the detection of a moving object in the controlled area, and by means of a switch.

The second is the serial connection of the sensor and switch. The lamp can operate with this type of connection only after closing the circuit by turning on the switch.

The third is a combined connection. After detecting movement in a controlled area, additional illumination is activated by a sensor.

These wiring diagrams are the simplest. To prevent the sensor from triggering in the daytime, you should purchase a lamp with a motion sensor, supplemented by a light intensity sensor

The position of the switch does not affect this in any way. The main light source is turned on by a switch.

Mounting a lighting device with a motion sensor

Consider the process using an example of a luminaire designed for indoor installation. In its design, it is suitable for both ceiling and wall mounting. An ordinary lamp, an ultrasonic high-frequency motion sensor, and an ambient light sensor are enclosed in the housing.

Installation technology is simple and consists of six steps:

1. At the first stage, the device is prepared for installation. Rubber seals are usually included. They are inserted into special holes for cable entry.
2. De-energize the installation location by turning off the circuit breaker on the switchboard.
3. The power cable is pulled through the seal into the lamp housing.In the presence of excess length, shorten.
4. Fix the case on the wall or ceiling through the holes designed for mounting.
5. With power cable remove the braid. If the housing material is dielectric, grounding is not required. Only the “zero” and “phase” wires are involved, having previously removed insulation from their ends - about 7 mm.
6. Connect the wires to the appropriate terminals and secure using a screwdriver. The phase wire is inserted into terminal L, and the neutral wire into terminal N.

The blanked terminal indicated by the L symbol with a prime will remain unused. It is control and can be used to connect other lamps, ventilation or other equipment.

Phase conductors are most dangerous when working with wiring. Most likely, for this reason they have the brightest color. In the diagrams they are indicated by the symbol L. When there are several phases, add a number to the letter

The limitation is only the power consumed by these devices. It must not exceed the additional connected load indicated in the passport.

To determine which of the wires is phase, zero and ground, you need to have the ability to read color marking. Both here and in Europe there is one standard - IEC 60446 2004.

According to this document, the color is blue, and sometimes blue-white indicates a working zero. The ground wire has a yellow-green color. For phase marking, the remaining colors are used - brown, black, red, white, others.

If old wiring is available, colors may not conform to the standard. Here, to determine their belonging to a particular type, you will have to use a digital multimeter, an indicator screwdriver or a control lamp.

Connecting a lamp with a remote sensor

Installation of a light bulb with an external motion sensor has its own characteristics.

First install the detector:

1. Determine the installation location that provides the best viewing angle.
2. A stand, previously removed from the device, is attached to the wall at a height of at least 240 cm.
3. The ends of the voltage wires connected to the sensor are stripped, removing about 1 cm of insulation from them.
4. Open the cover of the terminal box of the sensor. Inside it are multi-colored wires.
5. They supply 220 V to the sensor by connecting the neutral and phase wires to the voltage.

At the end, isolate the junction. Then proceed to the connection of the bulb and the sensor. A phase is connected to one end of the lamp, isolated. The other end is connected to the neutral wire.

The blue wire is zero, it is usually marked with the letter N on the diagrams. The phase wire has a red-brown color and is marked with the letter L. The ground wire is yellow-green (⊥)

If the phasing during the connection was accidentally mixed up, the device will not work, but will remain in working condition. You just need to swap the wires. Using the same algorithm, a wire with a plug can be connected to the detector.

Actually, the sensor is very easy to control.

There are three knobs on its case, allowing you to change the factory settings:

1. Sens - sensor. With its help establish the sensitivity of the sensor. Empirically select such parameters so that the device does not respond to small animals.
2. TIME - setting the lamp glow time.
3. Lux - adjustment "day-night". Set so that the lamp turns on at dusk.

According to the response time, the setting is possible in the range of 0.05 - 15 minutes. The most effective sensor works with a capture angle of 120 to 360 degrees, on an area of ​​about 20 m.

Lighting devices with sensors turn on or switch to a special mode of operation, both with the help of special and ordinary switches

When determining the height and angle of inclination, the moment that individual infrared sensors may have a dead zone should be taken into account.If the device has a fixed housing and there is no positioning correction, it must be placed in accordance with the technical data sheet.

Installation Recommendations

Experts do not recommend installing lamps with sensors that respond to movement in the corners. The reason is a decrease in the field of view.

Malfunctions and false alarms can be observed in the case of the installation of such a lighting device near air conditioners, radiators, heat fans. Sometimes the lamp can turn on even when the blades of the indoor fan rotate, from branches swaying outside the window.

When installing lamps with sensors within the apartment, experts advise placing them in the center of the ceiling. This is the optimal solution to the problem of detecting an object at the right time and at a set distance.

The optimal installation parameters of the lamp with a motion sensor on the wall of the house. If they are followed, it will become possible to control the necessary zone for operation

The installation of luminaires with sensors outside provides for the consideration of individual moments. This is the openness of the panorama, the angle of detection, patency, permissible load, the distance to the building envelope. Due to insufficient traffic, several sensors are sometimes mounted.

Top best manufacturers of lamps with sensors

One of the first in this segment of the lighting market appeared a manufacturer from China Feron. Famous models of this brand are AL-559 and FN1200. Their main advantage is a powerful luminous flux.

High-quality LED lamps equipped with motion sensors are produced by a German company Steinel. These are reliable modified lamp models with infrared motion sensors RS 16L, RS LED D1.

LED lamps with such a sensor, released by the Polish manufacturer Kanlux, are popular.

Lighting device equipped with a microwave motion sensor. The TYBIA LED 38W-NW-SE 24641 is designed for indoor installation with a power of 38 W

Company from Germany Euroelectric produces excellent light fixtures with sensors. We have a well-known line of ST lamps from this manufacturer. So, the ST-69-2 model is a good option for mounting on the wall of a house. It works in a wide temperature range - from -20 ° C to +40.

Hardt company (Poland) supplies to the market special lamps with sensors for housing and communal services in moisture and dust protection. Wall light Led-hardt, equipped with an LED lamp, is characterized by high impact resistance.

Excellent fixtures for lighting house areas, parking lots, billboards produced by the manufacturer Delux. It produces LED spotlights with motion sensors, both narrowly focused and floodlight with a degree of protection IP65.

An example of a good universal battery powered mini lamp is the model Mighty lightreleased in China. It has a photosensor and a built-in motion sensor. Equipped with waterproof housing. The way to install the lamp is wireless.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

A thorough review of the Xiaomi MiJIA night lamp equipped with a motion sensor:

About installation in accordance with all the rules of motion sensors. Devices with such sensors are installed in an identical manner:

Both manufacturers and specialists, speaking about the advantages of lamps with a motion sensor, make the main emphasis on their efficiency. For them to really be like that, they need competent installation and configuration. The conditions of use and the protection class of the luminaire are also important.

If you have experience using lamps with a motion sensor, please tell the equipment of which manufacturer you gave your preference to. Are you satisfied with his work? Leave your comments, ask questions on the topic of the article in the block below.