Tips To Install Motion Sensor Lights

Tips To Install Motion Sensor Lights

Thanks to advancements in technology, quality motion sensor lights are available for homes across Australia. These lights self-illuminate when they detect movement, which is why they are energy efficient and reduce your electricity bills significantly.

But motion-activated lights primarily offer homeowners peace of mind, security, and safety. Since the fixtures are installed at driveways, entry points to homes, back yards and stairways, they discourage intruders and trespassers.

You can hire professional electricians in Australia to affix these lights and better the privacy of your house. Alternatively, look at this complete guide outlining how motion sensor lights work and tips for installing them, among other important insights.

Gather The Tools For Fixing The Lights

Contrary to popular belief installing general motion-activated lights is not difficult for homeowners unless they are complex equipment. Thus, here are the tools you need for fixing them wherever you want in your home.

• Wire cutter plus stripper
• Screwdriver
• Voltage tester

Get Rid Of The Old Lights

If the areas you intend to install the new lights already have lighting, remove them carefully. Turn off the power supply before performing this activity to reduce the risk of electrocution.

Most outdoor areas have floodlights that are easy to dismount with a screwdriver. Avoid trying to remove complex lighting equipment and always hire an experienced electrician in Australia to manage removal and installations for them.

Take The Necessary Safety Measures

Although installing most motion sensor lights is easy to mount, you must take the following safety measures while installing them.

• If required, get the permit for installing the lights according to your local council rules.
• Read the instructions on the fixtures carefully to assemble parts and wiring correctly.
• Wear proper protective equipment like gloves, rubber shoes, goggles etc.
• Don’t touch naked wires with bare hands
• Take the assistance of a professional electrician in Australia for handling aluminium wiring that is dull grey.

Install Lights Correctly

Don’t make the mistake of putting the lights too close to the ground where their sensor can activate due to pests, grass and other environmental elements.

• Make sure these fixtures are six to 10 feet above the ground.
• Position them facing away from your home to ensure their sensitivity zone is across the outdoor area. For example, place lights facing your driveway away from the house to ensure they turn on when someone walks up to your home.
• Position motion-sensing lights across the entry points and open areas of your house for better electrical safety and security.

Make Connections Properly

Most lights have white (neutral), black (hot) and bare copper or green (ground) wires. You must place them correctly to avoid short-circuiting. For added safety, don’t forget to apply the rubber gasket to keep the wires in place and make it easier to affix the lights. The rubber gasket is also necessary for keeping moisture from entering the wires.

Set The Light Sensitivity & Range As Per Requirement

Some people like their motion sensor lights to turn on immediately upon detecting even the slightest movement. While others set the sensitivity of lights to medium to avoid anything or everything from setting them on. Most modern motion-activated lights have multiple sensitivity settings, and you can set a different or the same one for the fixtures.

Set the range of the motion-sensing near or far after inspecting your outdoor areas. Additionally, decide the light shutting off time to ensure they don’t remain on for too long after sensing a motion.

General Tips For Installing Motion Activated Lights

While placing the rubber gasket of the lights against a rough surface, you must caulk it for better adhesion. Read on to know more useful tips for installing motion sensor lights.

• Ensure the enclosures of outdoor lights are water, rust and heatproof. It will help improve the shelf life and structural integrity of the fixtures.
• Seek the assistance of a professional electrician in Australia instead of ruining equipment trying to install them without expertise or knowledge.
• Shelter the lights to keep them from getting dirty or damaged. Fix them under a protected area or buy covers that extend over the fixtures.
• Place the sensor and light away from each other to prevent the heat from the bulb interfere with the detector.
• Test one light first to get an idea about setting the sensor range and field of view to avoid nuisance. If these are not adjusted properly, the lights can turn on due to stray animals, air from vents, trees, grass, shrubs, passing traffic etc.

The Bottom Line

Motion sensor lights are fast becoming crucial parts of every home’s security system. They are energy-efficient, long-lasting and user-friendly. If you want to install them at your house, follow the tips shared above. However, hire a professional electrician in Australia to manage the task when you lack the time, expertise or equipment to do it yourself.