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Electrical Troubleshooting Guide for your outside PIR / Motion detector sensor

Welcome to the Bright Spark Electrical Service troubleshooting guide, for when you are encountering issues with your outdoor Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor, we're here to provide you with simple steps to identify and address these problems.

Encountering issues with your outdoor Passive Infrared (PIR) sensor? Here's a comprehensive guide to address common problems and solutions:

If in doubt, or have not got a long enough ladder (or afraid of heights),  consult us at Bright Spark Electrical Services from Tunbridge Wells, 01892 531728, we will be only to happy to help, from either a phone call through to a service visit from one of highly trained and experienced Electrical Engineers

Symptom: Lamp does not light up

Lamp / Light Bulb is defective

Solution:  The first thing is to replace the light bulb.

If the light is an integrated one built into the light fitting – unfortunately it is time to purchase a new light fitting – as they can fail over a number or years.

Should the flood light have been a Halogen flood light, then again it is time to purchase a new light fitting, as the Halogen lamps are no longer available because of the Electrical Regulations for energy saving, so you will be looking at getting a light fitting which either has LED lamps.

Symptom: No mains connection (No Electricity)

Solutions:

Check mains fuse/ circuit breaker. 

Check if there is electricity coming from the switch that supplies the PIR & light


Switching threshold of the twilight switch (Dusk-Dawn setting is not correct

Accordingly adjust sensitivity of Dusk-Dawn switch via the setting dial.

Symptom: Detection area not set correctly

Solutions:

Set detection area correctly. Unit mounted too high or too low can affect the detection area.

-Mount at recommended height (minimum 2.50 m), there are a number of detectors with a longer range of detection, and this will deter unscrupulous people adjusting your sensors, and the detector can be mounted in a higher elevation

Symptom: PIR detector lens obstructed by dirt or other objects

Solution: Clean lens or remove objects

Symptom:  Delayed lamp activation

Mounted too high or at the wrong angle of detection.

Solution:

Mount the detector at the recommended height (minimum 2.5 m).


Note that Should the “direct in-line approach of detector is only possible” , then mount detector in such a way that a sideways approach is also detected, or the detector has a “creep zone” below.

Symptoms:  Lamp stays on continuously

This can be caused by continuous thermal movement within detection area

Solution:

Remove the heat source out of the detection area.

Check the correct functioning of the detector by fully covering the lens (lights should go out after a certain time-delay), if it does not then a replacement detector may be necessary.

Symptoms: The Motion detector may be switched parallel to a switch that enables direct manual switching on

Solution:

Check out the correct connection of the switch.

Symptoms:  Light source remains on for long periods when no persons are present

Permanent influence from heat sources in the detection area  such as trees, shrubs when blown by the wind, presence of animals like cats and dogs in the detection area


Solution: You can reduce detection area of the detector in turning the detector head downward or cover parts using the enclosed covers which came with your detector – a piece of electrical tape covering one section will also help.

Symptom:  Direct sunlight radiation into detector lens

Solution: Shelter lens from direct sunlight.

Symptom: Detector mounted above extractor fan or a boiler flue, when boiler flues emit steam this can trigger the sensor.


Solution:

Change mounting place of the detector.

Symptom:  Limitation of range (not up to the minimum specification)

Mounting height is not optimal

Solution: Accordingly change mounting height (minimum 2.50 m).  If you find that people only move directly towards the detector,  you should Mount detector in such a way that a sideways approach is also detected. 


Symptom: Steep terrains

Solution: Adjust spherical detector head accordingly.

Symptom:  No reaction to vehicles

Vehicle not warmed up

Vehicle is too well insulated (by silencing equipment)

Solution: An alternative sensor may be the only solution.

But my security light has a built in sensor.

Over time these security lights start to fail, the only solution is to replace with a new sensor light, or separate Light, and sensor located a little further away.

Thanks for reading! We hope this article was of use to you. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to let us know.

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For further Information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Telephone: 01892 531728

Email: karen@brightsparkelectrician.co.uk