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How Do Motion Detectors Work In Greensboro?

July 29, 2023
Motion detector protecting interior of home

You’re likely to have a fairly good idea of what motion detectors do solely based on their title. Sure, they sense motion, but how precisely do they work? Take a minute to explore the technology behind them and the various types of sensors you might find. You’ll achieve a better appreciation of how they work and how you can integrate them into your modern smart home.

 


What is the technology that powers motion detectors?

Sensing motion can be performed in a number of different ways, but motion detectors are typically placed into either of these two categories - active or passive.

● Active motion detectors: These sensors are viewed as active, as they constantly broadcast signals like microwaves and then assess the time of response. Activity is indicated when the response time changes. While microwave sensors are most prevalent, you’ll also find active motion detectors that utilize sound waves or infrared light.

● Passive infrared (PIR) motion detectors: Regularly encountered within home security installations, PIR motion detectors operate by detecting shifts in the ambient temperature. ​​Essentially, the instrument notes what the usual temperature ought to be within a given area. If there are sudden surges of heat, like a burglar moving through the area, the device takes notice and initiates your warning. Since they aren’t actively emitting signals, passive detectors generally utilize less power and are more economical to run.

Besides passive and active, you might discover hybrid motion sensors that employ more than one technology. These can help reduce false alarms, as each sensor must be tripped before the alarm is prompted. Other alternatives include vibration motion detectors and tomographic sensors that are typically used in more extensive industrial locations.

Ways to implement Greensboro motion detectors

The chief goal of motion detectors is to identify activity within a given area, usually as far as 50 feet away. You’ll regularly find them included in outdoor floodlights or as independent devices within your residence. When movement is noticed, they’ll initiate your warning siren and inform your dedicated monitoring staff.

But present-day motion detectors are more adaptable than they’ve been in the past. As a matter of fact, they can communicate directly with other smart devices. To illustrate, if movement is noticed, they can trigger your lights to turn on or your surveillance device to commence recording. They may even alert your smart thermostat to adjust the temperature.

Get instant alerts and adjust settings for furry friends

One more tremendous benefit of current motion detectors is that you’ll get instant alerts transmitted to your smartphone any time the sensor is triggered. If you have pets, you may even prevent false alarms by adjusting settings to take into account the size of your four-legged friends.

Customize Your Vivint Smart Home With Motion Detectors in Greensboro

Now that you have a deeper understanding of how motion detectors work in Greensboro, it’s a good time to incorporate them into your modern smart home. Vivint’s motion detectors oversee large areas, give you wide-angle capability, and last for years without requiring a change of battery. They’ll also work in harmony with your other smart home implements. Are you ready to begin? Contact (336) 962-5081 to talk to a skilled Vivint specialist today.