You may wonder whether to invest in a motion detector for your home or business. Is it a worthwhile purchase? What benefits can these devices bring?
Motion detectors can increase security, convenience and peace of mind for property owners. You can’t watch everything all the time, but a motion detector can immediately notify you if something is wrong. Keep reading to discover whether motion detectors are a good fit for you.
What Is a Motion Detector?
A motion sensor is a security device that detects movement in a given area. These systems alert property owners to unauthorized motion at their homes and businesses, preventing intrusion and damage. There are several types of motion detectors and many benefits to installing them at your home or business.
What Does a Motion Sensor Do?
Motion sensors notice movement. Some of them also have temperature sensors so they can differentiate between inanimate objects and living beings. For example, wind may move grass and tree branches, but plants aren’t likely to break into your building and rob you.
With an advanced system, you can discover who or what is moving and where they are. Motion detectors often connect to video cameras and may even automatically trigger alarms like calling authorities to check your property.
How Do Motion Sensors Work?
These devices fall into two general categories — active and passive.
Active sensors use radars that emit radio waves, which reflect off walls or objects from across a space. When movement interrupts this wave, the detector sets off an alarm.
Passive sensors examine infrared heat levels to determine if changes in ambient temperature occur within a covered space. Because people emit infrared energy, a physical presence will change the temperature. The scanner senses the difference and sounds an alarm.
Motion sensors serve various purposes.
- Intruder alarms: These alarms are prevalent on residential, business and government properties. Alarms use sensors to alert you of unauthorized movement so you can quickly respond.
- Ticket gates: Sensors can quickly scan parking tickets and allow or deny entry to restricted areas, heightening security.
- Entryway lighting: In entryways, such as hallways, doorways and property gates, sensors detect movement from incoming vehicles or people passing and entering.
- Security lighting: Security lights are another deterrent to intruders. When a burglar trespasses onto a property, the motion sensor detects their movement and sounds the alarm. Security lights flash throughout the area to scare off and deprive the intruder of any hiding spaces on the property.
Modern luxury buildings also have motion sensors on everything from automatic doors to bathroom fixtures.
Types of Motion Sensors
These devices use various methods to detect intruders and keep your property secure. There are many different kinds of motion detectors, and the best option for you depends on your security needs.
- Passive infrared: Generally used for residential properties, PIRs detect changes in infrared energy caused by alterations from body heat. If the sensor detects a change, it signals the alarm.
- Microwave: Typically used on commercial and industrial premises, MWs emit pulses across long ranges to detect movement and cover wider areas than PIRs.
- Dual-technology sensors: Dual sensors combine PIR and MV capabilities and are ideal for more advanced security systems. A passive and active sensor work on different parts of the spectrum, and each must detect movement for the alarm to activate.
- Vibration sensors: These sensors detect motion through vibrations, but they’re switch-activated.
- Area-reflective sensors: These incorporate LEDs, which emit infrareds to detect movement within the range of a lighted area.
- Ultrasonic sensors: These sensors use ultrasonic waves to detect motion in a space.
Installing several different types of sensors is wise if your business sells high-value goods. You can install a motion sensor in hotel rooms, jewelry stores, retail storehouses and more. Having multiple security solutions on your property can help you identify and respond to threats more quickly.
The Benefits of Motion Sensors
Motion sensors protect families and businesses from intrusion and theft. Installing exterior and room motion sensors gives you peace of mind that a break-in can’t happen without your knowledge. Here are four benefits of installing motion sensors on your property:
- Protect your home and family from break-ins.
- Keep burglars and thieves off commercial properties.
- Prevent animals from wandering into dangerous areas.
- Restrict unauthorized personnel from trespassing.
There are 2.5 million burglaries annually in the United States, and motion sensors can prevent your private or commercial property from becoming part of those statistics. You can install motion sensors outside and inside your property, covering every room to reduce crime.
6 Ways to Use Motion Sensors at Your Home
Many homeowners invest in motion detector systems to defend their homes from theft, watch over their children and make life more convenient.
1. Defend Your Home From Burglars
Increased security is the chief reason to install residential motion sensors. Regardless of your neighborhood, your home may present a tempting target for thieves. Motion sensors and other technology can warn off burglars and alert you immediately if there is an issue.
Preventing an intrusion is the most crucial aspect of home security, and it can be particularly comforting protection to have if you live alone. Motion sensors can protect your property by triggering lights and alarms when they detect intruder motion.
2. Help Monitor Your Children
Another benefit of motion detectors is the ability to watch your children. Some areas of your property may be dangerous to young kids, and it’s impossible to keep your eye on them all the time. Install motion detectors to childproof your home.
Here are some common areas you can childproof with sensors:
- Sheds
- Utensil drawers
- Liquor cabinets
- Cleaning supply cabinets
- Fireplaces
- Fitness equipment
If you have dangerous exotic animals on your property, you can use sensors to childproof animal enclosures. You can also monitor a swimming pool or hot tub for child safety, reducing the risk of drowning.
3. Warn You of Animal Movement
You can use motion sensors to notify you if your pet goes somewhere they shouldn’t. Depending on your property and interests, you may have expensive items that pets could accidentally damage. A sensor could send you an alert if your pet wanders into that area.
These devices can also keep your pets away from plants that might be toxic or poisonous to them. If you live in a rural or woodsy area, sensors can let you know if a neighbor’s dogs or other animals appear on your property.
4. Help You Greet Guests
If your home is large, you might be unable to answer the door right away. A motion sensor system will let you know when guests arrive and can allow you to get downstairs in time to welcome them.
Sometimes, a salesperson or another stranger might ring your doorbell. When you install a motion sensor and camera-equipped security system, you can easily monitor your front door and remain safely inside if you don’t want to interact with unwanted guests.
5. Open Your Doors Automatically
In addition to security, motion sensors can also make your home more convenient. Many homeowners love using smart devices to expand their options for locking and unlocking doors remotely.
You can also use motion detectors to automatically open your garage door when you get home. If someone in your household uses a wheelchair or mobility device, motion sensors can help them get around by unlocking doors for them.
6. Activate Lights Without Touch
Motion sensor technology can also make turning lights on and off in your home more convenient. When you leave a space, lights will automatically go off, reducing your electric bill. On the flip side, you can enter your home carrying a full load of groceries or other items and not have to reach for the light switch.
Light activation can also support people with disabilities by making light switches more accessible. Motion lighting is an excellent feature for homes with high ceilings, overhead light pulls and other factors.
6 Ways Motion Sensors Can Protect Your Business
If you own a business, motion sensors can shield your investment and detect intruders before they have time to do damage. Here are six ways motion detectors can benefit you as a business owner.
1. Warn Security About Trespassers
A security system for your business is a must — installing one creates a barrier many criminals would rather avoid.
Thieves often go after the following items:
- Electronic devices
- Jewelry
- Art
- Glassware
- Designer clothes and accessories
Install a security system if you display any of these items in your shop window. Sensors will catch even the quietest burglars by detecting body heat and movement.
2. Detect Hidden Thieves
Not all burglars break into buildings after dark. Unfortunately, some thieves hide in your building during the day so they can steal once everyone has gone home for the night. Interior sensors can quickly help you discover the intrusion and prevent crime.
Even the stealthiest criminals can’t fool infrared heat sensors. If someone evades your employees when your business closes for the night, motion detection will let you know something is wrong before they can do any damage.
3. Protect You From Vandalism
Not all thieves will try breaking into your store or building. Sometimes, a thief might decide to throw a rock through the window or paint graffiti on your wall. However, your sensor will spot the activity and set off an alarm.
Motion detectors help you maintain a human presence even when everyone has gone home for the night. If there’s a disturbance, you’ll receive an alert and can send authorities to the scene. You never have to worry about leaving your business for the nightWith a motion sensor in place.
4. Manage Restricted Areas
Constant monitoring is an improbable task on a large property. Sensor grids work well for places that remain off-limits most of the time. If you worry about these highly sensitive areas, consider installing a sensor grid in addition to other security measures. You can also use sensors to manage door access and authorized code systems.
5. Activate Lights for Staff
Motion sensors can also help with automatic lighting on your commercial property. Sensor-activated lighting can help employees who have their hands full. In addition, motion-activated lights can save energy if someone forgets to turn them off at night.
Sensor-activated lighting is also a security feature. Automatic lights can flood a restricted area and dissuade criminals from continuing. You can combine lighting with cameras for an even more secure system.
6. Provide Entryway Access
Motion sensors can make doors and entryways more secure and convenient. All you need is a motion sensor, camera and pass to set up a simple, effective system.
A cam-scan of your license plate is all you might need for a more involved security system. For heightened security, consider combining motion sensors, facial-recognition software and security cameras. The right combination for you depends on your facility and goals.
Get Motion Sensors From Lloyd Security in Minneapolis, MN
The benefits of motion sensors are so numerous that it is a no-brainer to have them installed at your home or business. The motion sensors on the market today many options that work with all the latest mobile technology.
You should consider installing motion sensors regardless of your residence or commercial property. Look no further than Lloyd Security, the leading provider of motion detectors for residents and business owners in the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin for more than 10 years.
We offer video surveillance, access control solutions, intrusion detection and more. When you work with us, we’ll help you design the optimal security system for your home or business. We do it all so you can protect your property and enjoy peace of mind.
Contact our office today to learn more about what our motion sensors can do to protect your property!
