What is PIR Motion Sensor and How Does it Work?
Passive Infrared Sensor (PIR) refers to an electronic sensor that measures infrared radiations from objects within its actual detection range. This type of sensor is most often used to detect a human being moving around within approximately 10m from the sensor. PIR sensors are incredible as they are flat control and have a wide lens range. It is most commonly used in home security alarm systems and alarm systems.
In general, most PIR motion sensors have a 3 pin connection at the side or bottom. They are capable of detecting human movements within the requirements determined by the specifications of the sensor.
Working of PIR motion sensor
The working principle of PIR sensors is a bit more complicated than any other type of sensor owing to the fact that there are multiple variables that affect the sensor’s input and output. The PIR sensor is a thermal infrared sensor that detects the movement of an object by reading these fluctuations in the infrared radiations.
All living human beings with a temperature greater than absolute zero emit infrared radiations in their surroundings. The sensor has two equal slots that are made up of Pyroelectric material. This material is very sensitive to Infrared and when the sensor is not active, both its slots sense the same amount of Infrared radiations coming from any object.
So, when a human body comes in the range of the PIR sensor, it passes through both the slots one after the other and this motion causes a positive differential change between the two slots. Hence, when people come within the detention area light turns on and the light turns off automatically after the person leaves.
Advantages of PIR sensors
Here are a few of the advantages of PIR sensors.
- The PIR motion sensor light is quite safe and energy-saving. This is because as long as the person is in the sensing area, the switch can be kept on continuously. The light will be turned off when the person leaves so the function is quite human.
- They can detect moving objects reliably indoors as well as in day or dark.
- Since PIR sensor is a switch that senses the body heat, there is no loss of invalid power.
- The function is different from other sensor lights as it does not require sound to avoid the problem of voice control.
- PIR sensors are easy to install and do not require much wiring.
- They significantly reduce human efforts by making things work automatically.
- The sensor light can detect the movement of an object without coming in contact with them.
- Lastly, as PIR sensor light does not emit any type of radiation, there is no problem with radiation.
Applications of PIR sensor
PIR sensors are the most widely used sensor nowadays. It can be found in many home security systems. Let’s look at its various applications:
- Burglar alarm systems – Security alarm systems with PIR sensors is one of the best approaches to provide security at the home, workplace. The PIR sensors are able to detect unusual activities in the environment and send virtual alerts that actively translate into an alarm or siren.
As PIR motion detectors are easily blocked by the variability of heat sources, PIR sensors are perfectly suited for indoor movement detection.
- Automated doors
PIR sensors find their usage in many public and commercial buildings. Automated doors are common in shopping malls, garages and many more places. These doors slide open when a person is a few feet away and close after a few seconds when no one is nearby. This feature is made possible because of the PIR sensor that detects human movement within its specified range.
- Parking areas
Installing a PIR based device in a parking area, lift lobby, ATMs, basements can help in creating a smart and secure workplace.
- Human detection robots
Human detection robots with PIR sensors find their usage when there is a need for more effective rescue operations. For instance, when a building collapses, it might be necessary to find thousands of people under debris. In such cases, with these robots in place there is less loss of person – hours during rescue as a human detection robot with PIR sensor light can pick up heat signals from upto 20 feet away and in all directions.
- Multi function printers
Multi function printers generally comprise the functionality of a scanner, printer, copier into a single effective machine. Some of these machines have PIR sensors whose functions include detecting empty trays, weight detection to reduce energy consumption and automatic document feeder.
- Digital signage
The use of PIR sensor light in digital signage has the ability to control when to turn on the display. This is possible as PIR sensor detects a moving body. It turns off the light when there is no moving body. The technology attracts more attention and saves power.
Owing to so many advantages, PIR motion sensor light is widely used by people. If you are also interested in installing a PIR based sensor in your security devices, look no further than Optex Pinnacle Pvt. Ltd. They are the leaders in sensing technology and in providing PIR motion sensors. Their security solution has been designed to tackle the problem of people by incorporating the technology that makes the sensor immune to detecting movement.
Contact them today and speak to security professionals!
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