Mistakes to Avoid When Installing a Wireless Motion Detector

When you purchase a motion detector of any kind, the company you purchase it from will generally offer a deal on installation. If you choose, you can opt to fore-go professional installation and take care of it yourself. However, if you do, there are a few things you should know to avoid making common mistakes.

Think Safety

As with any do-it-yourself project, safety comes first. This is especially true for jobs like this one where you will be hooking up your motion detector to a power source. Before doing any sort of work at all, be sure to turn off the power at the fuse box for the area that you are working in. If possible, lock the fuse box shut again to prevent someone from turned it back on while you're working. Or, if you can’t lock it, mark it with tape and inform people to turn it off.

Understand How Your Motion Detector Works

Not all motion detectors will detect motion the same way. Some, like infrared detectors, operate mainly by sensing changes in heat signatures with motion, for example. Be sure that you don’t get one that will be set off by pets, or will fail to be set off depending on what you want it for.

Also, wireless only means that it sends a wireless signal to the control unit, so that you can have the controller (usually called the base) set up wherever you like. It does not mean, however, that you won’t have to hook it up to a power source. Some are battery operated, some are not. Be sure that you don’t accidentally buy one that needs power and not have a place to hook it up.

Get the Proper Location

For motion detectors of any kind, they are only as good as their ability to “see.” You aren’t going to detect intruders or trespassers if you don’t choose the right location. One of the key mistakes people make is setting up sensors to detect movement at a door leading outside. The trouble is, most people don’t set up sensors for every single door to the house, and even if you can afford it, there are still the windows.

The best bet, especially for indoor wireless motion detectors, is to set it up so they will trigger the house alarm when high value items are approached, or when somebody approaches the area of your home where the bedrooms are located.

Weather Issues

Another issue that is common for outdoor motion detection systems is inclement weather. First and foremost, there is the problem that they might be accidentally set off by things like moving branches or blown debris. If your motion sensors only turns on a bright flood light, as is common, this isn’t a big problem. However, it gets to be rather annoying if it sets off a house alarm. The best way to avoid this is to get a motion detector that tracks more than just movement. Infrared motion detectors are available that will detect varying heat signatures that enter the area.

It is possible for  extreme weather conditions to damage your motion detector. When you purchase your motion detector, make sure that it is designed for outdoor use, and suitable for your region's average weather. Additionally, assuming your motion detector is battery powered, as is common with a wireless motion detector, cold weather has a tendency to shorten the life span of batteries. Most will last up to a year in optimal conditions, but during cold weather, and especially after unusually bad weather, you should periodically check your motion detector to be sure it is functioning properly.