Install a Motion-Sensing Light for Added Security

Adding outdoor motion-sensing lights is one of the best ways to enhance security and safety around your home. Motion detector lights provide automated illumination that deters potential intruders and helps protect your property. We’ll walk through the benefits of installing exterior motion-activated lights, considerations for placement, types of motion sensors, and a DIY installation guide. Follow these tips to set up an outdoor lighting system activated by motion sensors for optimal home security.

Why Install Motion Sensor Lights?

Motion-activated lights serve many important purposes:

• Deter Intruders – Illumination triggered by motion sensors acts as a visual deterrent, signaling awareness and making prowlers hesitant to approach. The simple act of lights suddenly turning on can scare off someone with ill intent.
• Enhanced Safety – Motion security lights provide improved visibility at night, allowing you to see more clearly when entering and exiting your home. They illuminate pathways and potential hazards.
• Automated Lighting – You don’t have to manually turn lights on and off. Motion-sensing lights operate automatically based on detected activity in the coverage area.
• Energy Efficiency – Because the lights only activate when needed, motion-activated lighting helps reduce energy consumption and saves on electricity costs. The lights shut off after a set duration when no motion is detected.
• Flexible Placement – Motion detector lights can be installed virtually anywhere on a property to meet unique security and visibility needs, covering vulnerable areas.

Installing motion-sensing security lights is one of the most effective passive means of boosting safety, protecting against crime, improving visibility, saving energy, and deterring potential home intruders. The strategic placement of exterior motion-activated illumination acts as a silent guard, providing automated security each night.

Choosing the Right Location

Proper placement is key to maximizing the effectiveness of outdoor motion-sensing lights. As you assess your property, keep these tips in mind:

• Entryways – Illuminate all entry points, such as front and back doors, garage doors, gate entrances, etc. This deters intruders from approaching these areas while also allowing safer entry and exit at night.
• Vulnerable Areas – Determine potentially problematic spots, like shadowy corners, large shrubs, or hiding places. Install motion-activated floodlights to eliminate blind spots an intruder could exploit.
• Pathways – Ensure walkways and high-traffic areas are illuminated to prevent slips, trips, and falls at night. This includes steps, sidewalks, and driveways.
• Yard Perimeter – Place motion-sensing lights around the edges of your property to detect activity and trespassing along the perimeter. Focus on side and backyards.
• Outbuildings – Enhance security around garages, sheds, barns, or other structures by mounting motion-activated lights on each building.
• Dark Areas – Any excessively dark spots on the property should have a motion-sensing light installed. This removes shadows and improves visibility.

Take time to walk the exterior at night to observe areas in need of additional security lighting. Motion-activated lights can then be installed in optimal locations based on detected vulnerabilities.

Selecting the Right Motion Sensors

Motion-sensing lights rely on sensor technology to activate illumination. There are two main sensor types:

• Passive Infrared (PIR) – PIR sensors detect changes in infrared energy, allowing them to pick up heat and motion. They utilize rays across zones to sense activity.
• Microwave – These detect motion through frequency signals, similar to a radar speed gun. The microwave signals reflect off moving objects back to the sensor.

PIR sensors are the most common for residential outdoor motion-activated lighting. We recommend PIR for most homeowners since they provide accurate motion detection, have a rapid response, and are cost-effective.

Features like detection range, motion sensitivity, and swivel adjustment allow you to customize a PIR sensor light’s coverage area. Look for weatherproof PIR sensors designed to withstand the outdoor elements. High-quality sensors combined with bright, energy-efficient LED bulbs provide optimal automated security lighting.

DIY Installation of Motion Lights

With the right tools and safety precautions, homeowners can typically install their own outdoor motion-activated security lighting without hiring an electrician. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Gather Supplies

• Motion-sensing light fixture with bulbs
• Lighting junction box with cover
• Wire connectors
• Mounting hardware (screws, anchors, etc.)
• Drill/driver with bits
• Voltage tester
• Electrical tape
• Wire strippers
• Ladder

Turn Off Power

• Locate the circuit breaker box and turn off power to the installation area. Use a contactless voltage tester to confirm power is off.

Mount the Junction Box

• Position the junction box centered on the mounting surface approximately 8 ft. high. Outline the box.
• Drill holes just inside the outline edge. Insert wall anchors if needed.
• Secure the junction box with mounting screws.

Install Wiring

• Run 14/2 awg exterior lighting wires from the junction box to the light fixture location.
• Leave about 6-8 inches of wire at each end.
• Secure the wiring every 4-5 feet with staples.

Connect the Wires

• Strip 3/4 inches of insulation from wire ends.
• Connect the wires to the junction box and light fixture using proper wire nuts.
• Match white to white, black to black, and bare copper ground wires.

Mount the Light

• Position the light fixture on the mounting surface and mark holes.
• Drill holes just inside the marks for anchors. Insert anchors.
• Run wires into the fixture electrical box.
• Match up wire colors and connect wires securely with connectors.
• Mount the fixture securely with mounting screws.

Finish Installation

• Place all wires and connectors neatly into the boxes.
• Install the junction box cover.
• Caulk around the light fixture and mounting surface.
• Turn on the circuit breaker and test the light.

With the basic DIY installation complete, the motion sensor light is ready to provide automated security lighting. Adjust the motion detector sensitivity, lighting duration, and sensor angles to fine-tune coverage.

Tips for Optimal Security Lighting

Follow these additional tips for the best results from your motion-activated security lighting system:

• Use multiple lights strategically around the exterior for full coverage rather than just one.
• Overlap motion sensor coverage to eliminate blind spots and gaps in detection.
• Angle sensor heads to cover vulnerable areas and eliminate wasted coverage.
• Adjust motion sensitivity to avoid excessive false triggers while detecting real motion.
• Set an appropriate lighting duration – 1-5 minutes is ideal to deter prowlers without wasting electricity.
• Use bright, high-lumen LED bulbs to create glare and illuminate a larger area.
• Layer security lighting with surveillance cameras on a smart home system for full protection.
• Test lights daily and replace bulbs promptly when failures occur to maintain effective operation.
• Keep exterior lights on at night to allow motion-activated lights to trigger and extend lighting duration.

Installing and properly implementing motion-sensing security lights is one of the most valuable enhancements you can make to protect your home. Strategically placed motion-activated illumination provides an affordable, reliable passive defense against intrusion and crime.

Installing motion-activated security lighting is a simple upgrade that pays dividends in enhanced safety for your property. Strategically placed motion sensor lights deter criminals, improve visibility, automate illumination, save on energy costs, and provide smart lighting options. With a basic understanding of motion detection technology, optimal placement guidelines, and key DIY installation steps, you can successfully outfit your home exterior with motion-sensing lights for an extra layer of security. Your family and home are worth the investment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motion Lights

What are the benefits of installing motion sensor lights?

Motion-activated lights provide key security benefits like deterring potential intruders, illuminating dark areas, automatically turning on lights when needed, saving energy, and signaling awareness that your property is protected.

How many motion lights should I install?

To effectively cover your home’s exterior, we recommend installing motion security lights at each entry door, corner of the house, edge of the yard perimeter, on every outbuilding, and in any frequently used outdoor areas. Use as many lights as needed to fully eliminate dark spots.

Do motion lights use a lot of electricity?

No, motion-activated lights are energy-efficient since the bulbs only turn on when motion is detected and shut off shortly after. This saves significantly on electricity costs compared to standard porch lighting. LED bulbs maximize savings.

How long do the lights stay on after detecting motion?

Most quality motion sensor lights have a setting to adjust the duration lights stay on after activation – typically between 1-5 minutes. This deters prowlers without wasting electricity on extended illumination.

What areas should I avoid when installing motion detector lights?

Avoid pointing motion sensors directly at busy streets or other highly trafficked areas. This risks excessive false triggering which reduces bulb life. Angle the sensors to focus on vulnerable areas nearer the home.

How difficult is it to install exterior motion lighting myself?

With proper safety precautions, installing DIY motion security lights is totally feasible for most homeowners without any special electrical skills. Follow installation guidelines for DIY success. Consider hiring an electrician if you are unsure.

Can motion lights be incorporated into an automated smart home?

Absolutely. Look for motion-activated lights with smart technology and wireless connectivity. This allows incorporating the motion detector lights with home automation systems and controlling them via smartphone apps.

How do I reduce false motion activations?

Adjust the motion sensor sensitivity, change the motion detector angles, and mask off unwanted coverage areas to reduce false triggers. Setting an appropriate light duration also minimizes nuisance lighting.

What extra security measures should I implement along with motion lighting?

Along with installing motion detector lights, consider adding video surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and door/window sensors. Use a layered security approach for maximum protection.