Motion Detector Lighting

Before purchasing your motion detector lighting kit, here are some features you may want to consider before making your purchase.

Motion Detector Lighting -Know Your Options

Detection angles
At how wide of an angle is the sensor able to detect movement? Most lights have a range of 90-360 degrees. If your light has too wide of a range, the sensor can be blocked by provided "blinders" or can simply be taped off using black masking tape.

Detection range
How far from the sensor will movement be detected? 30 to 70 feet is normally claimed by motion sensor manufacturers.

Are remote detectors available?
A remote detector is a detector at some distance from the light itself. These are really useful, and can dramatically increase the functionality of your unit. Remote detectors are battery driven and will not require additional wiring.

Adjustable On-time?
Can you adjust the amount of time the light stays on after it has been triggered? Most units have this function, and it is pretty much a necessary function in our opinion.

Dusk-to-Dawn option
Some makes have the ability to set the light to be on a very dim level unless triggered by the sensor when it will come on full strength. This can be very useful when a low level of light is desired, yet a blast of light is desired when neede, or to alert of an intruder.

Adjustable sensitivity.
Are the sensor adjutable as to their sensitivity? A light continually coming on because of vegetation moving in the wind, or by headlights from bypassing cars can quickly become a real nuisance and render the motion detector lighting useless.

What type of bulb can be used?
Note that some models require that certain bulbs NOT be used, such a flourescent bulbs.