4 Tips for Business Motion Sensors
 
Break-ins can happen on commercial properties, making it essential for business owners to invest in security systems that can thwart criminal activity. One option is to install remotely controlled motion sensor lighting, which can help secure your office and deliver considerable energy cost-savings.
If you are considering installing motion-activated lighting for your commercial building, bear in mind factors such as choice of sensors, placement, and equipment maintenance as these will affect the overall effectiveness of your security lighting system.
Here's how you can make motion-triggered lighting work for your business.

1. Choose the Right Type of Sensors

There are different types of sensors, but the most common ones include passive-infrared sensors (PIR), ultrasonic sensors, and dual technology sensors.

Passive sensors detect the body's infrared energy and movement in the surrounding environment. Changes in infrared energy levels and movements along the line of sight trigger the sensors and lights. These sensors work well in open areas such as the office floor and parking lot.
Ultrasonic sensors detect a moving object by emitting pulses of ultrasonic waves and measuring the object's reflection to determine its location. Ultrasonic sensors are an excellent choice for stairwells, restrooms, and subdivided spaces in the office.

Dual technology sensors combine the features in different types of sensors to minimize false alarms. For light to be triggered, both types of alarms have to detect motion or heat energy. A professional electrical provider can help you choose the appropriate sensors depending on your security goals.

2. Place the Sensors Correctly

Proper placement can improve the accuracy of motion sensors. Placing a motion sensor next to doors and windows seems like the obvious thing to do, but this placement can limit the sensor's range and will prevent it from detecting changes in infrared energy. The result can be a false alarm or worse, a security breach.

Ideally, you should mount motion sensors high up at a corner for wider coverage of entryways and entire rooms. Sensors detect crossing movement rather than oncoming movement. As such, you should place them parallel to the entry or exit points that an intruder would likely use.

Because hallways and pathways tend to be dark and run parallel with walls, they are also suitable locations for placing motion sensors.

3. Select Suitable Delay Settings

Motion sensors let you choose how long the sensor should wait before turning the lights on. You should consider factors such as the sensor's line of sight and the placement when adjusting the delay settings. Sensors in enclosed spaces such as restroom stalls should be set to a longer delay because it can be difficult to detect movement within such spaces.

The right delay settings can also help to reduce electricity consumption. Sensors trigger lights when someone enters a room and switch the lights off when the person leaves, which eliminates the possibility of leaving the lights in your office building on. Reduced energy consumption can deliver energy cost-savings of 35-45 percent.

4. Maintain Your Security Lighting

Motion-triggered sensors have minimal maintenance requirements. Cleaning the sensors regularly can prevent accumulation of mildew and dust, which can lower the sensor's efficiency. Pay particular attention to the lens that detects motion and triggers the lights on.
Over time, be sure to maintain the lighting fixtures in your office by scheduling regular lamp replacement and tracking lamp usage to locate problems that can shorten the lifespan of bulbs.

Properly installed motion sensors can safeguard your office building and save your business money that could potentially be lost in case of security breaches. Work with a professional to select the right motiontriggered lighting system for your business premises.

Get in touch with Circle Electric, Inc. for expert advice, free estimates, and state-of-the-art technology that guarantees you efficient and affordable commercial electrical services to keep your property safe.



 
Break-ins can happen on commercial properties, making it essential for business owners to invest in security systems that can thwart criminal activity. One option is to install remotely controlled motion sensor lighting, which can help secure your office and deliver considerable energy cost-savings.
If you are considering installing motion-activated lighting for your commercial building, bear in mind factors such as choice of sensors, placement, and equipment maintenance as these will affect the overall effectiveness of your security lighting system.
Here's how you can make motion-triggered lighting work for your business.

1. Choose the Right Type of Sensors

There are different types of sensors, but the most common ones include passive-infrared sensors (PIR), ultrasonic sensors, and dual technology sensors.

Passive sensors detect the body's infrared energy and movement in the surrounding environment. Changes in infrared energy levels and movements along the line of sight trigger the sensors and lights. These sensors work well in open areas such as the office floor and parking lot.
Ultrasonic sensors detect a moving object by emitting pulses of ultrasonic waves and measuring the object's reflection to determine its location. Ultrasonic sensors are an excellent choice for stairwells, restrooms, and subdivided spaces in the office.

Dual technology sensors combine the features in different types of sensors to minimize false alarms. For light to be triggered, both types of alarms have to detect motion or heat energy. A professional electrical provider can help you choose the appropriate sensors depending on your security goals.

2. Place the Sensors Correctly

Proper placement can improve the accuracy of motion sensors. Placing a motion sensor next to doors and windows seems like the obvious thing to do, but this placement can limit the sensor's range and will prevent it from detecting changes in infrared energy. The result can be a false alarm or worse, a security breach.

Ideally, you should mount motion sensors high up at a corner for wider coverage of entryways and entire rooms. Sensors detect crossing movement rather than oncoming movement. As such, you should place them parallel to the entry or exit points that an intruder would likely use.

Because hallways and pathways tend to be dark and run parallel with walls, they are also suitable locations for placing motion sensors.

3. Select Suitable Delay Settings

Motion sensors let you choose how long the sensor should wait before turning the lights on. You should consider factors such as the sensor's line of sight and the placement when adjusting the delay settings. Sensors in enclosed spaces such as restroom stalls should be set to a longer delay because it can be difficult to detect movement within such spaces.

The right delay settings can also help to reduce electricity consumption. Sensors trigger lights when someone enters a room and switch the lights off when the person leaves, which eliminates the possibility of leaving the lights in your office building on. Reduced energy consumption can deliver energy cost-savings of 35-45 percent.

4. Maintain Your Security Lighting

Motion-triggered sensors have minimal maintenance requirements. Cleaning the sensors regularly can prevent accumulation of mildew and dust, which can lower the sensor's efficiency. Pay particular attention to the lens that detects motion and triggers the lights on.
Over time, be sure to maintain the lighting fixtures in your office by scheduling regular lamp replacement and tracking lamp usage to locate problems that can shorten the lifespan of bulbs.

Properly installed motion sensors can safeguard your office building and save your business money that could potentially be lost in case of security breaches. Work with a professional to select the right motiontriggered lighting system for your business premises.

Get in touch with Circle Electric, Inc. for expert advice, free estimates, and state-of-the-art technology that guarantees you efficient and affordable commercial electrical services to keep your property safe.