Let’s face it; installing an LED motion sensor light with camera isn’t always a walk in the park. And if done incorrectly, it can render your security measures ineffective. So, the question I want to help answer is; “How can I install camera security lights correctly?”
If you’ve been asking the same thing, this post is for you. Now, kindly note that an outdoor motion sensor light comes with many benefits (I’ll talk more about these perks and benefits later on in the article). But, the biggest perk of them all is automation.
Automation simply refers to the fixture’s ability to switch on lights, start recording video footage and notifying you of the intruder’s presence as soon as the motion sensor detects movement.
Sounds great, right?
Anyway, before we get into more of that, let’s look at the best ways to install these lights as recommended by industry professionals.
Expert Tips on the Best Practices When Installing an Outdoor Motion Sensor Light
Now, a lot of people often make mistakes when installing these lights; some of which are often serious and can even cause damage to your newly installed security lighting system.
You don’t want that, do you?
If so, here are a few things you can do to ensure the longevity and smooth running of your new lighting systems:
1. Ensure Your New Motion Security Light Fixtures Cover All Access Points to Your Home
This includes windows, doors, driveways, pathways, lawns, backyards, along your fence, and any other part of your home or business that may be vulnerable to unwarranted access. Why? Well, in most cases, intruders, burglars, and vandals will always go for unprotected points of entry in order to access your house and anything inside it.
Placing these fixtures strategic positions allows you to see the intruder even before they gain access to your home. Hence, giving you enough time to come up with a quick solution or to give them the warning to leave your property before you call the police.
2. Always Place Your Security Lights High-Above in a Spot that’s Not Easily Accessible
Note that burglars will most definitely try to disable your security systems before they even attempt to break into your home. Therefore, placing these lights in an easily accessible spot makes it child’s play for thieves and intruders to access your home.
Now, when you place your fixtures higher off the ground, you enjoy three distinct advantages;
- First, you make it harder for unwanted guests to access and disable your motion sensor exterior light fixtures.
- Secondly, you’ll be able to see them trying to disable your systems even before they reach it. Giving you enough time to issue a warning or call for help.
- And thirdly, you get a better vantage point or wide view from the fixture’s camera. Seeing long and wide enables you to spot trouble from far away.
3. Raising the Fixture Higher Improves Its Sensitivity and Coverage Zone to a Certain Extent
Much like floodlighting, raising your motion sensor lights increases your fixture’s sensitivity. How? Well, most sensors often work best when placed a bit further away from the intended coverage zone. And in doing so, you get better sensor functionality and overall results; while reducing the number of possible false-positive alarms.
Experts recommend placing these fixtures between 8ft and 10ft above ground. This gives the fixture enough room between the sensor and object, plus, a wider view for the camera. Hence, making it easier for the sensor to detect and differentiate between a real person and a falling leaf or squirrel.
4. Keep Your Wireless Fixtures within Range
If you are working with Wi-Fi motion sensor lights, you have to ensure that all of them are placed within your wireless network’s coverage radius. Failure to do so may result in one or even more of your fixtures malfunctioning or not being able to perform some of their basic functions.
For those who own mansions and ranches (households with massive compounds), you can use Wi-Fi repeaters to boost your signal strength and increase your coverage radius.
5. Always Point Your Sensors and Camera towards Space/Spot/Area You Want To Monitor
To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your motion sensor light with a camera, make sure it’s facing your intended space. This minimizes wastage or unnecessary redirection of functionality and surveillance resources to non-essential/low-priority parts of your compound.
Also, do not be tempted to buy less or more than what you need. If your exterior needs five fixtures, ensure you but 5 fixtures – not more and not less. Buying more than what’s recommended by your light planning expert might be a wastage of time, money, resources, and effort. Buying less, on the other hand, is even worse since it means that some of your fixtures will be overworked or over-depended on; or you’ll end up with blind spots that can be used to gain access to your home.
6. Make Sure There Are No Obstructions within the Coverage Radius
Any form of a hindrance within the LED security light motion sensor’s working radius will prevent it from functioning optimally. And that could be in the form of two things:
- Not being able to detect everything i.e. objects or people behind the obstruction won’t be detected (“seen”) by the sensor.
- Or, the sensor will keep registering the obstruction as an intruder and raising alarms or creating so many false-positive alarms.
Therefore your fixtures should be installed away from trees, poles, cars, shades, and so on. You get the point, right?
7. Ensure That Your Sensor Lights Are Properly Shielded From Dust, Water, and Heat
Water, dust, and heat are usually the biggest enemies to anything that has a circuit board. And that’s why you must protect your outdoor security fixtures from either one of these perils. Why?
Well, for starters, water will completely damage your light fixture’s integrated circuit in the event of short-circuits. Dust, on the other hand, affects heat dissipation and can result in your light heating up prematurely.
Excessive heating can fry the fixtures’ sensor and lighting mechanisms. However, if the fixture experiences medium or low-intensity heat, the worst it can get is that your detector will start returning a lot of false-positives. And even though it may not be such a big deal, too many false-positive can leave you blind-sided and vulnerable to a sneak attack.
On the plus side, buying a fixture with a higher IP rating will protect your fixtures from dust and water damage.
8. Always Test Your Newly Installed System to Make Sure It’s Working Flawlessly
Obviously, you want to make sure that your new system works as intended. This means putting it to the test by activating it and sending someone in front of each fixture to see if the sensor detects their presence and notifies you. If you do this and nothing happens, there might be a problem with the fixtures or the whole installation.
In such a case, I’d advise you to seek professional help; instead of trying to fix it yourself. However, if the sensors work just fine, then you are good to go.
Anyway, that’s that.
These are just some of the things you can do to ensure your outside lights with motion sensors work seamlessly and as intended. Now, before I wrap up, here are a few cool benefits of using LED security lights for outdoor lighting:
Benefits of Using LED Sensor Security Lights
- They are very energy-efficient. LEDs consume almost 80% less energy than other lighting technologies, plus, the fact that sensor lights only switch on when motion is detected means that even less energy is needed.
- Come with added conveniences e. you don’t have to switch them on physically or be anywhere near your home for sensor lights to turn on. And that means that people who travel a lot can have peace of mind knowing that they can monitor their homes or businesses using the fixture’s camera from wherever they are.
- They act as a quick deterrent to any unwelcomed guests. even when you’re not around or close to your home, these fixtures’ instant switching can easily scare away intruders; because it simply tells them that their presence has been detected.
- These fixtures are highly applicable e. they can be used in many places including homes, businesses, schools, banks, government institutions, and offices.
- They are often built to withstand the harsh outdoor environment e. most security fixtures, including garage motion sensor light, come with impressively high IP ratings. This simply means that they can easily brave the worst weather conditions they encounter. Therefore, you get more value for your money.
- These lights also help to improve the safety of your outdoors by ensuring pathways are illuminated as soon as they sense movement; hence, minimizing the chances of your family members and invited guests from getting injured or falling while trying to make their way to your door.
Awesome, right?
The list of perks offered by outdoor LED security lights is endless. But, by now I know you’ve gotten the main points.
Anyway, that’s everything you need to know and do when dealing with security cameras lights. Just remember to do your research and ask for recommendations in order to get the best outdoor motion sensor lights available today. Thank you for your time
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About the Author
Nat Huang is the Chief Marketing Officer for ShineLong LED Technology Company, a Chinese manufacturer that specializes in providing LED Triproof lights and commercial lighting solutions to its global customer base through an official website. Follow him on Twitter @imrNat.