Installing a Motion Detector
Some people install burglar alarms in their houses, but the
problem with these is that they alert you only after there's
a problem. Other people have decided instead to install
a system that might prevent someone from breaking into the
house in the first place. We're talking, of course, about
motion detectors. These motion detectors appear to just
be a normal light fixture. However when it's activated,
if anybody comes around the house who should not be there,
the light will automatically come on. This will doubtless
scare the would-be burglar, and it will hopefully also make
someone in the house aware of the potential intruder.
Part
of the beauty of motion detectors is that they're fairly
simple to install, since many of them come already pre-assembled.
It's just a matter of removing one of your existing light
fixtures outside your home and in its place, putting the
new motion detector. In just a short time, your house
will be 100% safer than it had been.
There
is one caveat of which you should be aware. If there
are trees near the detector, then when the wind is blowing
strong, it could potentially set off the alarm. So
if you do choose to install a motion detector, just remember
this when a storm comes brewing.
Let's
go over the basic steps for installing your motion detector.
The first step after you've bought it is to turn off the
power that goes to where it will be installed. If
you're unsure which breaker goes to that fixture, shut off
all power. For safety's sake, it's also a good idea
to wear safety glasses and a mask before you begin.
If
you plan to install the detector in an existing fixture,
first take out the fixture. Check the screw holes
on the cover plate to the fixture, and compare with those
on the junction box. Match these up and then knock
out holes for the screws. You can do this by using
a hammer and screw driver. Put the screwdriver where the
hole should be and tap slightly with the hammer. Use caulk
to seal the open holes.
Next,
pull the wires of the fixture through the plate gasket.
Connect the home's supply wires. Remember as you're
connecting wires, black goes to black, white to wire.
If you have a ground wire coming from inside the home, connect
it to the junction box. Now use two screws to connect
the light fixture to your junction box. Then screw
in light bulbs.
Next,
test the detector to make sure it's working correctly. On
most models, there should be a slide switch that has a "test"
setting. Set it to there in the medium position. Turn
on the house power. After coming back on for a few
seconds, the lights attached to the detector should go off.
Then if you make some motion, it should come back on.
Please
note that on most motion detectors, you can adjust the sensitivity
by doing the following:
First, using the sensitivity control, turn the sensitivity
down about an eighth of a turn. The lights should now stay
off. Place some black tape over a portion of the lens, blocking
out the part of the grounds that you don't want controlled
by the motion detector. Now test the detector as before
to see if it works correctly. If you've done everything
correctly, you should now have a safer, more secure home.
For more help with this process, feel free to consult a
representative at the hardware store where you purchased
the motion detector.