motion detectors to turn off internal lights

omelette451

27col wrote: »

Those shown on the screwfix site are expensive. the ones that I fitted were just white plastic like a standard light switch and much cheaper.

Don't suppose you remember where you got them from?

And are they easy to install for non-electricians?

Sirbendy

We have them at the school I work in - when we built the 2 latest IT suites, they were removed from those rooms..no idea why. Suits me, I took them home! Not PIR, fairly sure they're ultrasonic ones...probably 12+ years old, designed for flourescent lights.

I fitted one into mums garage, set for a 10 minute timeout. Now when she/I open the door to go in there, the place lights up nicely. Well worth it there.

Have also thought of the normal switch replacement PIRs, as my mother (bless) drives me scatty with her power usage..TV on, halogen on, woodburner running while she's upstairs on the PC "for the benefit of the budgies", lights on all over the shop, PC left running 24/7 etc.

Not sure if she sees it as a joke, is a bit set in her ways or is just plain going gaga..I suspect since I've found the door unlocked a few times and the car left "doors open" at random, it's forgetfulness. The worst bit is, she's an accountant! Watching the pennies should be her forte..

I bought her an intelliplug for christmas...it's be great if she ever turned the PC off!

I came to the conclusion the only way it'd realistically work is to take the controls off her, and make the lights etc "self aware".

lagi

Get some of them clappers, the ones where you clap and they turn on or off. Once you have hit them round the head or over the knee and lights go off they will soon get the hang of it. If it doesn't pick it up, hit them harder.

madjay

Sirbendy wrote: »

We have them at the school I work in - when we built the 2 latest IT suites, they were removed from those rooms..no idea why. quote]

You do not move that much when you are on a computer so they keep turning the lights off.

Internal PIR are only suited for areas high levels of traffic at different periods and therefore do not suit the domestic Installation. Just Learn to switch the lights off is the best and cheapest way.

Fire_Fox

I am looking at one of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Infrared-Motion-Sensor-PIR-Light-Garage-Roof-Security_W0QQitemZ270323032709QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Garden_Lighting?hash=item270323032709&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1301|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

We have an internal hallway with the light switch in an awkward place by the front door, so the lights (6 x 50W GU10s) get left on all day and all evening. I can't find low energy GU10 replacements that aren't bulky plus, at £10, a motion sensor is cheaper than purchasing replacement bulbs! I estimate the motion sensor will pay for itself in saved electricity within a couple of months.

Not clear how the detector is linked into the lighting system tho? Our hall is roughly L-shaped with the smaller end leading to the front door; the larger part is square-ish with the doors to the bedrooms, bathroom and sitting area leading off. Clearly the motion sensor would need to be in the larger section, and thus not near the light switch. There are two light fittings, one in each section of the hall.

As it is a flat, we don't have access to the ceiling void from above. Presently there is a hole in the ceiling in the larger part of the hall where a downlighter used to be. I would like to use the motion sensor to cover this hole, and we can certainly wire into the junction box from here. Do motion sensors need to be wired in between the light switch and fitting itself?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

arunadasi

she_grinch wrote: »

At my workplace we have our lights in the canteen, offices and toilets linked up to motion detecters, therefore if no movement is detected after 5 or 10 mins the lights turn them selves off. My questions are....
Can you have a similar set up in your home?
Would this be incredibly expensive to install?
Would this save you money?
Has anyone tried this at home?
Did it save you money?
Many thanks and I am not at all technically minded but my DH has asked me to ask you all

I first encountered such a system about 20 years ago, and it was at the home of my cousin on a small Caribbean island! I was quite struck by the technique that time; we never had to switch the lights on or off, because it was all done for us.
His father worked in the Fire Department and they had a small bsuiness with fire detectors and such so they were quite on the cutting edge of new technology, in spite of being a small Third World nation.

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27col

Toolstation sell them.See http://www.toolstation.com/documents/search/index.html

If I find any others I will post them on here.
Also look herehttp://www.screwfix.com/prods/34572/Electrical-Supplies/Timers/3-Wire-Push-Button-Timer

kboo77

I have been planning to use a similar idea for some additional lighting through my hallway, stair case and landing. I was hoping to use some LED lighting along the skirting or on the floor boards along the edge, in a landing strip type way. I was hoping to hook these up to a PIR switch. The idea was more aesthetic than practical, as they would give a soft glow in these areas when you first enter, etc. although I hope they may offer enough light so as to pop to the loo at night without the need to fumble for the light switches!! The other option was to include them on the lighting switches for each room, but that would ruin the effect they would give when the main lights were off

Any thoughts on whether this would be workable?

Mankysteve

I think when I have kids I'll wire each bedroom up to own breaker in my bedroom so I kill all there stuff.

You can also get timer switches that will be a bit cheaper. Ideal for corridors.