Motion sensors are the most important component of a home security system. It is able to detect if someone is in your home who shouldn't be there — an intruder. These are incredibly helpful to make sure your home is safe and secure.

A motion sensor uses a range of technologies to detect movement in a particular area. When a sensor detects motion in the area, it can send a signal to your home security system's control panel, which should be connected to your monitoring panel. By doing this, a motion sensor alerts you to any potential threats in your home.

Everything You Need to Know About How Motion Sensors Work

Essentially, a motion detector or motion sensor is there to sense motion in a certain area and send an alert to your control panel. Once the alert is sent to your control panel, you can determine if it is an intruder or simply a kid sneaking in past curfew or a pet knocking a vase off of the counter.

You can activate a motion sensor to be on guard for movement at certain times, such as nighttime or when you are out of the house. Certain motion sensors are even able to take video recordings of the area via security cameras when they sense motion so that you can review the footage later.

Motion sensors act as a sentinel standing guard, ready to act. They can be programmed to react to various cues, such as movement in a certain room, a front door opening or closing, or a window breaking. Any of these can trigger a motion detector.

What Are the Different Types of Motion Sensors?

There are actually several types of motion sensors. Each type serves a different function and purpose. You might choose a different type of motion detector depending on your specific home security needs.

Passive Infrared (PIR) Sensors

Passive infrared sensors, also called PIR sensors, function by collecting infrared light — light from the electromagnetic spectrum that is invisible to the human eye. A PIR sensor contains two sensors that detect infrared energy.

One sensor takes a snapshot of the area it monitors under normal conditions. The other sensor detects any sudden changes in the area. Thus, a difference in what each sensor is reading will trigger a signal.

Passive infrared sensors are a great option for pet owners. You can program your PIR sensor to ignore specific types of movement through a process known as segmentation.

Segmentation can help a PIR sensor differentiate between unimportant movements, like your dog walking through your living room and movement that you would want to trigger an alarm, like an intruder walking through your living room.

Microwave Sensors

Another popular motion detector system is a microwave sensor. This type of motion detection system sends out microwave pulses and measures how these pulses reflect back off of the objects in a particular area.

Microwave sensor technology tracks the time it takes for these microwave pulses to bounce back to the sensor. If any pulse's return time changes, that means that there is movement in the room and will trigger the motion detector.

Dual Technology Sensors

Dual technology sensors are just what it says on the label: they are motion detectors that use both passive infrared motion detection and microwave technology to survey a particular area.

The reason someone might be interested in a dual technology sensor is simple. As each system verifies the other, it can prevent false alarms. The movement has to be verified through both sensors before the alarm is triggered.

Other Types of Motion Sensors

There are several other types of motion sensors available on the market today, but these devices tend to be less popular than PIR sensors, microwave sensors, and dual technology sensors.

• Area Reflective Sensors:
  These motion detectors are a fascinating combination of PIR and microwave motion sensing technology. They use infrared light, but instead of passively collecting it, these area reflective sensors send out infrared pulses and measure the speed with which the light bounces back to the sensor.
• Ultrasonic Sensors
  Similar to how a microwave motion detector functions, ultrasonic sensors bounce ultrasonic sound waves off of objects in an area to measure the response time. These sound waves are not perceptible to the human ear.
• Vibration Sensors
  Vibration motion detectors operate on simple technology when compared to most motion detectors. They simply detect the small vibrations that people make as they walk through a given space. However, these sensors can sometimes be unreliable or trigger a false alarm.

Why Do I Need a Motion Detector?

It is better to install a robust home security system and never have to use it than to wish you had installed one. If you're interested in a home security system, a motion detector is the first line of defence.

Once a motion sensor is set up, it can alert you if there is someone in your home who shouldn't be. The sooner you know what's going on, the sooner you can contact emergency services and protect yourself and your loved ones.

Additionally, you can program motion detectors to automatically aid other elements of your home security system. For example, you can set up a camera to take a photo or a video of whatever has triggered your motion detector. Another option could be to set up a floodlight or an alarm near your front door to frighten away any potential burglars.

Other Uses for Motion Detectors

Even without the worst-case scenario of needing motion sensors to protect your home from an intruder, these devices can still come in handy. A motion detector can help you in your regular day-to-day life as well.

• Connect your motion detector to your lights, so that they automatically turn on when you enter a room, and turn off when there is no motion detected in the space. You can save energy and at the same time, never have to fumble around in the dark for a light switch again!
• You can monitor both kids and pets through motion detectors. Catch your teenager sneaking out past curfew without putting your slippers on. Connect a motion detector to an automatic doggy door and you never have to get out of bed to let Fido out in the middle of the night again!
• You can also help the environment by optimizing your smart home technology using a motion sensor. By programming your thermostat to optimize energy consumption only while motion is detected, you can help the Earth.

Where Can I Find a High-Quality Motion Sensor?

Better1 offers a wide selection of high-quality motion detectors for all of your home security needs. We've got your back when it comes to security.

One great option for a PIR motion sensor is the wireless Ring Alarm, which is compatible with Amazon Alexa-enabled products and is easily monitored from any mobile device. Another is the Blink Two Way Camera and Motion Detector which includes the option to see and speak to another who has triggered the sensor.

Better1 also carries a range of home security options, including devices that are smart home compatible. This includes floodlights and security cameras. No matter your lifestyle or living situation, caution is always a safe bet. Emergency security products provide a benefit to everyone by keeping you safe, secure and with peace of mind.