History of Motion Sensors

Motion sensors have been used with alarm systems since the 1970's. Back then, motion sensors were based on ultrasonic technology. Sound waves were emitted from a sensor and the resulting reflected sounds were analyzed to detect changes. When a change was detected, the motion sensor notified the alarm system's control panel, (or whatever it was connected to). These ultrasonic sensors were frequently blamed for triggering false alarms. A phone ringing, an alarm clock sounding, or the heating system coming on could all cause a false alarm. A better solution was needed.

The best solution found and used today is based upon infrared technology (abbreviated "IR"). Other technologies, based upon microwave and radar were tried, but they never gained the popularity of infrared technology. Infrared sensors began to appear on the market in the 1980's. When they first came out, they were somewhat expensive, but as production ramped up and more manufactures found ways to use them for different applications, the price dropped quickly. The most popular consumer uses of Ir sensors are for motion sensing floodlights.

How Motion Sensors Work

IR sensors look for the presence of human heat moving across its field of view. The sensors are passive, which means that they are looking for the movement. Unlike radar and ultrasonic systems that emit a signal and look for a reflection, IR sensors just receive.

All IR sensors have some common ratings and specifications. The first is the detection pattern or the field of view. This defines how wide or narrow the IR sensor can detect. The second is the range of the sensor. On our web site, we show the detection patterns of our IR motion sensors on the web page or it may be found in the on-line manual. Typically, they look like the image on the right.

The Problem Using IR Sensors Outdoors

To get to Bill's question, most folks have seen or used Motion Sensing Floodlights and some may have alarm systems with Motion Detectors in their home. If motion sensors are so much better now than the early ultrasonic models, why can't they be used outdoors with an alarm system? Strangely, it still comes down to the issue of reliability. With motion detecting floodlights, if the sensor false alarms, the only consequences are the lights coming on for a few minutes. If an IR sensor connected to an alarm system falses, the sirens are set off and in some cases, the police may be dispatched to investigate. The noise of the sounding alarm sirens will surely aggravate your neighbors. You don't want a mob burning down your home because the alarm system is going off constantly!

When IR motion sensors are used outdoors, they are more likely to cause false alarms. The most common cause of a false trip is rapidly changing weather conditions. For example, when a warm winds blows across the X10 Motion Sensing Floodlights it's not uncommon for them to occasionally trip on. Not only do the floodlights come on, but so do the X10 devices inside the house that are set to X10 addresses controlled by those floodlights. This is acceptable since no noise is being produced.

There are some alternatives to IR sensors that can be used outdoors that will decrease the likelihood of false alarms. We offer an IR beam system that sends an invisible beam between two points. It the beam is broken, it trips the alarm system. These units are not affected by weather unless you have tumbleweeds or small compact cars blowing across your property during high winds. The transmitter and receiver can placed outdoors up to 130 feet apart. Read more about them on our web site here: Weatherproof Infrared Beam Motion Detector

Some alarm systems have a feature called "Cross-Zoning" which will reduce false alarms. Cross zoning requires that two zones be activated at nearly the same time in order to trigger the alarm system. Basically, you place two sensors looking at the same area that needs to be protected. When someone enters that zone, the two sensors will have to detect the intrusion within a few seconds for the alarm panel to consider it a valid detection. The SecureLinc II Wireless Security System has this feature built into it.

Lastly, if you do choose to use a motion detector outdoor, be sure to choose one that is rated for outdoor usage. The regular indoor models don't have the protection to keep the effects of moisture from damaging the electronics on the circuit board. If an indoor-rated model is placed outside, even if it is protected from the rain, it will soon malfunction within a year or so.