How do outside light sensors work?
7 Answers
Answered by CD Electrical
20th April 2020
CD Electrical answered the question "How do outside light sensors work?"
Outside light sensors are generally split into 3 categories: PIR (Passive Infra-Red), Photocell and Microwave. -PIRs work by detecting movement. These can be setup so they monitor certain areas by fitting at certain heights or points, masking is also available to avoid nuisance activation. The PIRs we generally fit can then be tweaked by 3 settings, Sensitivity (how much movement it takes to trigger) Lux ( When will it trigger, all the time, early evening to late morning, middle of the night) Time ( How long will the the trigger last, usually the options are between 30 seconds to 30 minutes from last detected movement) -Photocells use lux levels (natural lighting levels) to determine switching, so they will come on when natural light levels drop below a certain point. Examples could be if its a particularly cloudy day or middle of winter the lights will trigger at the set levels rather than to a set time period meaning they are on when you need them rather than at the same times everyday. - Microwave sensors use high frequency electromagnetic waves to detect movement, they use a more advanced technology than standard PIRs. And an additional benefit is they can work behind plastic structure of lights without the requirement of a frosted or clear plastic panel for the sensor. Microwave sensors are not used as frequently as traditional PIRs due to cost implications.
Answered by A N Electrics Limited
15th December 2019
A N Electrics Limited answered the question "How do outside light sensors work?"
The 2 most common sensors are PIR (Passive Infra red) and Photocell. PIR sensors are used when you want the light to come on when it detects movement. Most of them come with 3 settings, enabling you to adjust the time it stays on, the sensitivity of the sensor and Lux level. A photocell is used when you want the light to go on and off at dusk and dawn. This will allow the light to stay off during the day and go on automatically when its dark.
Answered by Grayswood Engineering Ltd
19th September 2019
Grayswood Engineering Ltd answered the question "How do outside light sensors work?"
The two common types of sensors are PIR (Passive Infra Red) and photo cell. The photo cell is the simplest in that it measures the ambient light level and switches on at a preset point (when it goes dark or Dusk). It then switches off when the light level rises above a level (At Dawn) these type of sensors are also know as Dusk till Dawn. The PIR sensor looks at heat signatures within its view. If a source of heat moves e.g. a person then the sensor turns on. Any moving heat source can trigger a PIR , so a cat moving in view will activate it. A PIR will operate in all light conditions, so most PIR's come with controls to set the light level and a sensitivity adjustment to limit the range and size of the object detected.
Answered by Consider it Done Electrical Services
3rd June 2019
Consider it Done Electrical Services answered the question "How do outside light sensors work?"
There are generally three ways that outside light sensors work. These being motion, heat and light. The photocell sensor is the simplest, this switches the light on when a certain level of darkness is reached and then off when light, usually daylight returns. The most common type of motion sensor is Passive Infra red or PIR. This type of sensor operates when sensing a moving heat source, they are effective but can become a nuisance when sensing small animals within the detection area. Another type of motion sensor that is available, but still quite expensive, is microwave. These sensor are used in similar ways to the PIR, but can be consealed within a light fitting and not requiring the little opaque plastic window. All of these types of sensor can have controls which vary their sensitivity, but the principle remains the same.
Answered by TB electrical
12th April 2019
TB electrical answered the question "How do outside light sensors work?"
There are 2 main types of sensor motion sensor (PIR) and a photocell. With a motion sensor this picks up the heat signiture when a person passes infront of the sensor and stays on for a set time and goes off if not triggered again after the set time. A photocell detects light this will prevent the light from illuminating during the day light hours and only working during darkness hours. These sensors sometimes are adjustable to set up the sensitivity to your own individual liking.
Answered by Lyttle Smart Homes NI
19th February 2019
Lyttle Smart Homes NI answered the question "How do outside light sensors work?"
There are a few different types of outside light sensors. There are motion sensors which detect of someone goes in front of it when it is dark and turns on a light. These usually have a lux sensor built in which is controlled by a small dial on the bottom of them, also there will also be another dial which sets how long the light will stay on for which will usually adjust from 20secs to 30mins. Also available are Day/Night sensors also known as photocell which just detects when it gets dark and turns on a light for the duration it see darkness. There is no adjustment with these and if they go faulty tend to need a replacement head fitted onto them.
Answered by AEI Electrical
12th February 2019
AEI Electrical answered the question "How do outside light sensors work?"
An outside light sensor will generally work by detecting motion therefore triggering and switching on the light. THere are a few different settings on external light sensors where you can adjust the time that the light will come on for and also adjust the lux meaning you can trigger whether the light will come on whilst in day light or only at night time.