Motion sensors on outdoor lights can be an innovative solution for most homeowners. A motion sensor-equipped light turns on automatically when triggered.
However, many homeowners have complained about their motion sensors being absurdly sensitive. This results in annoying situations where the lights keep turning on when you do not want them to.
You can turn off your motion sensor equipped with your outdoor light by reverting the “on/off switch”. In cases where the sensor may not have an “on/off switch”, you must remove the sensor board to halt the function.
If your motion sensor is too sensitive and keeps turning on the lights due to the slightest convenience, reconsider turning the sensor off. Learn how to disable outdoor light motion sensors to eliminate all your dilemmas.
Motion Sensors On Lights
Equipping motion sensors on outdoor lights allows the lights to be turned on or off automatically. These sensors can detect any motion and trigger the switch.
When you attach motion sensors to outdoor lights, they can automatically turn on and off with motion sensing. The lights will turn on spontaneously whether you, your pet, or anyone else moves.
For indoor lights like the kitchen, restroom, or hallways, indoor motion-sensing lights improve the ambiance and comfortability of your home. Sudden midnight trips to the bathroom or kitchen become much safer and more accessible.
Indoor motion sensors use infrared radiation to detect movement. Sometimes they use body heat to detect motion. These sensors can be set not to detect tiny movements like dogs or cats. This ensures pets do not trigger the illumination.
On the other hand, outdoor motion sensors have an extensive coverage area and can detect precise movements. The outdoor lights, like the lights in front of the garage, the driveway, the porch lights, or the back yard lights, can be automatically triggered to illuminate the whole area from motion.
Turning on porch lights or backyard lights manually can be tiring. Making them automated with motion sensors can prove to be very efficient.
Why Would You Need To Disable Motion Sensors On Outdoor Light?
Motion sensor lights can significantly increase your home security. Automated systems will light up a dark room or alley as you enter. It can also alert you if anyone is walking up to your house.
While motion-sensing lights can have numerous advantages, sometimes they can be superbly annoying. Many homeowners complain about their outdoor motion-sensing lights being absurdly sensitive. A small breeze or slight movement in the area triggers the light to be turned on.
This issue can be pretty distracting. Sudden illuminations can break your concentration or give you false alarms. If you are sleeping, this occurrence will surely disturb you.
To avoid this, you should disable the motion sensor for your outdoor lights. In this way, you will be safe from sudden triggers.
4 Easy Steps To Disable Motion Sensor On Your Outdoor Light
If you have decided to disable the motion sensor on your outdoor light, follow these simple steps to turn it off.
Step 1: If any outdoor lights are out of reach, use a ladder or step stool to reach them.
Step 2: Find the switch that activates the light’s motion sensor. It is situated on the underside of the attachment for the motion sensor on the light.
Step 3: Look for a little tab or slide-type switch around the motion sensor’s edge if you cannot find it visually.
Step 4: To turn the light off, flip the switch. If the motion sensor on your outdoor light does not provide an “on/off” switch, you may have to remove the sensor circuit to disable it.
Alternative Option: Remove Motion Sensor Circuit
If you cannot disable the motion sensor with a switch, you need to consider removing the sensor itself. Here is how you should do it.
Step 1: First, you must turn off the main power supply.
Step 2: The motion sensor lock nut needs to be secured with a pair of slip-joint pliers. It is situated at the back of the cylindrical shaft, connecting the sensor attachment to the light’s peripheral.
Step 3: Use the pliers to grab, twist, and loosen the nut. The body of the outdoor light should be free of the nut and the motion sensor.
Step 4: The wire nuts holding the motion sensor to the outdoor light fixture must be unscrewed. Wires have to be taken out of the fixture. After you have removed the sensor, cover the gap with an electrical plug or cap.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Most motion sensors on outdoor lights have a turn-on and turn-off switch. You should be able to turn off the motion sensor by flipping the switch. If your motion sensor board has no button, you may have to discard the board altogether.
Motion sensors can be interrupted. After a while, dust particles and debris can cover up the infrared sensor and interfere with sensing. This is why it is essential to clean your light or sensor from time to time with a microfiber cloth or an alcohol pad.
Motion sensors usually have three settings to tweak. These are sensitivity, lux, and timer. You can set these settings to make your motion sensor more or less sensitive to light movement and illuminance. Tweaking all these will result in an optimum experience for you.
Movements trigger motion lights. Walking or running past the sensor will trigger it. However, passive activity can fool the sensor. Set your motion sensor correctly for precise triggers. You can check it in the sensitivity menu.
Outdoor light motion sensors do not use an overwhelming amount of electricity. Usually, the electricity usage ranges from 0.5 W to 8W. This amount of electricity should not be anything of concern.
Conclusion
Motion-sensing lights are an excellent solution for efficient illuminance in households. They can create a sophisticated environment and ambient peripherals for any home. Not to forget, motion-sensing lights can also increase the security of a house.
However, all these benefits can be overshadowed if the lights are constantly triggered over minor setbacks. It can disrupt comfortable living. False alarms or disturbances in the sleep cycle are the primary concerns.
Often you may find yourself asking the question: how to disable motion sensors on outdoor light? The answer is pretty simple. You see the switch in your motion sensor and turn it off. Nothing hectic. Hope you find this article useful for your endeavors.
