Motion sensor lights are designed to automatically turn on and off when there is any motion.
Motion sensor has an internally built motion detector, which sends a signal to panel to alert or turn the lights on for any intruder motion wherever it’s installed.
However, certain light bulbs don’t work well with motion sensor lights.
Some light bulbs emit high brightness that interfere with motion sensor signals and cause delay or malfunctioning of the light. Here’s what you should know:
You don’t need any special bulbs for motion sensor lights. You can use any light bulbs that produce high brightness and low heat on motion sensors. Also, motion sensor lights don’t work with any light bulbs that take a few minutes to on.
If you’re concerned about the type of bulb that’ll work with your motion sensor lights, then in this write-up, I want to take through how to choose effective bulbs that’s suitable with motion sensor light functions.
Bulbs That Are Compatible With Motion Sensor Lights
Not all bulbs work well with motion sensor lights. There are bulbs that interrupt motion sensor lights signals by high output.
Some bulbs generate higher heat that has a long term effect on motion sensors. Some bulbs use external fixtures that aren’t compatible with motion sensor lights.
Most of the external fixtures affect the transmission panel which delays or stops the sensor detector from working.
It’s important to know how various bulbs work with the features and fixture before you can use them on motion sensors. Motion sensor uses a signal that requires easy flow of which any interference stops it from detecting motion.
Fixing the right electrical wattage bulbs will make the sensor function very well. Let’s take a look at some of the bulbs that you can use on motion sensors.
LED light bulbs
LED light bulbs are designed to be energy efficient and have the capacity to work on any switch. It has the electrical technology to work accept any switch that’s compatible with any fixture.
Using LED light bulbs on motion detectors work very well with any interference with the infrared. It is suitable to operate a motion detector with LED lights.
You don’t need any special bulb on motion sensor lights if an LED light bulb is available. Because LED lights emit quality brightness that doesn’t affect the operation of motion detectors.
In the past, traditional light bulbs took several minutes to emit brightness or reach their full brightness. Motion sensors don’t work perfectly on light bulbs that take time to bring out bright. Motion detectors need light bulbs that emit maximum brightness once they detect any motion.
Any delay from the light bulbs affects motion detector light — motion detectors don’t torrelate any switching cycles. LED bulbs work very well with motion detectors — they have the capacity to reach full brightness once the sensor detects any intruder motion.
Motion detector that has LED lights bulb mounted works well without not interfere with the signals if all the setting is correctly set up. Incorrect or optimal settings lead to unnecessary switching cycles, which affect the LED lifespan.
Even though LED lights are designed to work with large switching cycles and still emit high-quality brightness that doesn’t affect motion sensors.
The energy efficiency of a LED light is also reflected by the lower heat emissions, which make it compatible with motion sensors. LED lights do not have a large heat output, which means that no energy is wasted. The low heat output makes the sensor panel last longer.
LED light bulbs turn off immediately when they reach the end of their lifespan. LED light bulbs hardly fail or experience any dim except when they are set to produce such brightness. Installing it on a motion sensor works effectively when the light is turned on because it emits brightness at once.
Motion sensors or detectors work perfectly with light bulbs that don’t use delay to on when the switch is turned on.
Halogen Light Bulbs
Halogen bulbs are another effective bulb that works well on motion sensors. It is built to work on motion sensor fixtures.
Halogen bulbs are next to LED bulbs when considering lights that work well on motion sensors. Halogen bulbs are designed to emit brightness once when the switch is turned on.
However, halogen light bulbs emit higher heat than LED light bulbs. But the heat doesn’t affect the operation of the motion sensor.
You may want to ask “why is it that the heat doesn’t have any effect on the motion sensors?” The answer is that motion sensor light only turns on most times when there is any motion of any kind either human being, animal, car, etc.
The light bulb on the sensor hardly left on for hours. The light goes off and on once the motion detector notices any motion.
Motion sensor light bulb isn’t left on for hours. Turning on and off when there is any motion. Therefore, it produces low heat that doesn’t have the capacity to damage the detector panel.
Halogen bulbs that are left on for hours produces much heat that has the capacity to damage the motion sensor’s panel. Halogen is one of the perfect light bulbs that you can use on motion sensors.
Halogen bulbs are designed with a color rendering index which makes the light suitable for motion sensors. The color rendering index makes halogen bulbs produce very bright light. Because of the quality light brightness halogen produces, makes it compatible with motion sensors.
Motion sensors need light bulbs that produce high lumens that don’t have any effect on the signals. Halogen light bulbs emit light wavelengths that’s not strong enough to interfere with motion sensors. Especially when the halogen wattage is the same watts recommended to be on motion sensor.
The only way halogen light wavelength has the capacity to affect motion sensors is when it watts are higher than motion sensor watts bulbs.
Once you use the exact halogen bulbs watts on motion sensors, it works effectively without any delay or damage.
Halogen bulbs have the technology capacity to turn on instantly when the motion detector senses any motion. The instant-on halogen bulb makes it suitable to be used on motion detectors.
Bulb That Are Not Compatible With Motion Sensor
There are bulbs that are not compatible with motion sensors. These sets of bulbs emit high heat that affect the sensor panel.
It delays to bring out brightness when the switch is turned on. Once light bulbs take a few minutes to bring out brightness, motion sensors find it difficult to operate the light.
However, motion sensors require bulbs that turn on instantly once the switch is on.
Here are some of the bulbs that aren’t compatible with sensor motion.
Compact Fluorescent Light
Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs are known for producing flood light. CFL light bulbs are different from fluorescent or halogen bulbs.
It emits high heat that affects motion panels and signals. CFL heat can easily damage motion sensor panels even those that are not switched on for a long time.
Compact fluorescent light doesn’t turn on instantly when the switch is turned on. It takes like 3 minutes before the light is on.
The delay time it takes for the light the turns makes it not compatible with motion sensors to work effectively.
Since motion sensors use signals to turn on the light when there is any motion, so any delay in the light to on will affect defeat the purpose of the light.
Compact fluorescent lights are built to turn on an interval. If the inbuilt turning on of the light is not the same time when motion sensor will detect any movement.
The light works with temperature changes. It hardly gets to full brightness during winter. Therefore installing it on a motion sensor will not make it work effectively.
How Do Motion Sensors Work?
Motion sensor is a device that turns on lights when there is anymotion. It’s a self switch light where there is any motion. Motion sensor has a switch that turns on the light when the detector senses any motion.
In general, it does not matter whether the motion detector switches an incandescent bulb or LED light but the bed.
However, there is an important difference in the construction of a motion detector. The electrical switch for switching the lights on and off can be designed in two different ways:
- Electromechanical relay
- Electronic semiconductor relay
Any type of load can be connected to motion detectors with an electromechanical relay. If the relay is activated during motion detection, two contacts are mechanically connected inside, similar to a normal light switch.
Motion detectors with a relay as switching output can be identified by a quiet click sound during the switching process.
Many modern motion detectors, on the other hand, have an electronic switch for switching the load. This is sometimes referred to as a semiconductor relay.
Semiconductor relays generate no noise when switching and, unlike a mechanical relay contact, operate completely wear-free. However, electronic switches always require a certain minimum load to function properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is motion sensor lighting effective?
Yes, motion sensor lighting is effective. As we’ve discussed in the article, the type of motion sensor bulb you buy plays a crucial role. You can use them on your outdoor spaces like your porch, parking lots, warehouses, garage, or fence. Most people think these light fixtures are only suitable as outdoor lighting, but you can use them inside your home, especially in the bathroom, closet, or anywhere else around the house.
There are some motion-activated lights that only come on during the nighttime, while some are best suited as outdoor lights. To get the best value for your money and ensure the lights last long, be sure to buy one that suits your needs.
How long do LED bulbs and halogen bulbs last?
LED bulbs can last up to ten years if you use them properly. On the other hand, Halogen bulbs can last up to two years. Proper usage of LED bulbs includes pairing them with compatible elements (for example, motion sensors), using the necessary wiring, etc.
Is changing a motion detector light bulb the same as changing a regular bulb?
Yes, changing the bulb on a motion sensor light is usually the same as changing a regular bulb. Turning off the sensor is typically the only difference in changing the bulb.
How are motion sensor lights different from regular electric lighting?
Motion sensor lights are different from regular light since they can detect motion and turn on automatically. Another area where they differ from traditional light is that some might not require electricity to function. There are some LED motion sensor lights that can work without an electrical outlet.
Can I use a motion sensor light for security?
Yes, you can use a motion sensor light for security. People naturally move to hide from the blinking light when the sensor detects their movements. So you can place the light around your house for additional protection.
Do I get an LED light or halogen light bulb for my motion sensor?
You can get either because they are both suitable for motion sensors. Halogen bulbs are one of the cheapest, but they use five times more energy than LED bulbs. They are also less durable than LED bulbs. On the other hand, LED bulbs consume less energy and would save you money in the long run, but they are expensive to buy, install, and replace.
Are motion sensor lights durable?
Yes, motion sensor lights are durable. However, if you buy mediocre motion detection light bulbs or ones incompatible with the motion sensor, they might not last you through a year.
Can I use incandescent bulbs for motion sensors?
No, you cannot use incandescent bulbs for motion lights. Just like compact fluorescent bulbs, this type of incandescent light takes several minutes to come on. The motion sensor needs the bulb to be on for a few seconds when you activate it. So when something triggers the sensor, the bulb doesn’t shine to its full capacity before it goes off.
Conclusion
Motion sensor lights don’t require any special light bulb. It is designed to function with any light bulbs that don’t require any external device to emit brightness.
Light bulbs that emit high heat are not compatible with motion sensor lights because it will damage the panel of the sensor.
You can successfully use LED light bulbs or halogen light bulbs on motion sensor lights.
