Today it has become quite popular to save electricity. To do this, engineers have created many devices that can automatically control lighting, equipment, home appliances. Especially widespread at present are various sensors that can respond to light, noise, and movement. One of these automatic switching devices will be discussed in the article. In order to consider such equipment in more detail, it is worth dwelling on a specific brand. So, IEK motion sensors, their features, models and installation nuances.
What is such equipment: general information
Motion sensor is an electronic device capable of closing a circuit when an object appears in its range. After the reason for switching on has disappeared, the time relay included in its circuit is switched on. As a result, after a set period, the circuit opens again. Such automatic switching devices are used not only to save energy by controlling the lighting of entrances, stairwells or long corridors. Areas of application of motion sensors ("IEK" or any other brand - it doesn't matter) can also be called burglar alarm systems. Similar devices can:
- send a signal to the security console in case of unauthorized entry to the facility;
- enable video or photo devices;
- give a signal to transmit images from CCTV cameras to a smartphone or other gadget of the owner.
How do motion sensors differ
Such equipment can operate on infrared, microwave radiation or ultrasound. Each type has its own area of application. But they differ not only in the type of radiation, but also in the method of recording input signals. The cheapest and simplest are passive (most often infrared). They are tuned to a specific signal length. If a living, warm-blooded organism enters its field, they work. More expensive equipment is active.
Both the emitter and the receiver are included in his circuit. Such equipment includes ultrasonic devices operating on the principle of echolocation.
To control lighting, the models of the DD series of IEK motion sensors are most often used. In this line you can find really budget devices at a lower cost.400 rub. It is worth considering some of them in more detail.
Motion sensor "IEK DD 008" and its features
Such devices have a relatively small viewing angle - 180˚. However, their main advantage is the ability to adjust the direction of the coverage area - it is adjustable both vertically and horizontally. This allows you to install the sensor anywhere without harming its performance.
The range of such devices is 12 m, and the maximum load is 1100 watts. With such indicators, the equipment can not only turn on the burglar alarm, but also supply power to the lighting of the whole house. If LED lamps are used in the premises, then their number connected through the device can reach 150, depending on the power consumption.
If compared by parameters, the motion sensor "IEK DD 009" can be called an analogue of such automation equipment. Its only difference from the previous version is the adjustment of the direction of the scope - here it is done only horizontally. Otherwise, there are no differences even in the cost, which is about 520 rubles.
Differences of similar equipment in terms of viewing angle
This parameter plays a very important role, especially when connecting automatic control devices to burglar alarm systems. The indicators here can vary from 180 to 360˚. Often the viewing angle is notpay due attention due to the fact that there is no big difference in the cost of different models. It is worth noting that utility services usually “sin” like this, installing, for example, 360˚ IEK motion sensors on the stairwells of entrances, although in such cases 180˚ is quite enough. However, if you look closely, there is one very important reason for this.
The previously described devices with a viewing angle of 180˚ have a significant disadvantage - moving parts that break easily. And in Russia, as you know, everyone considers it his duty to reconfigure the direction of the beam. As a result, mechanical moving parts made of plastic break very quickly. The motion sensors "IEK DD 024" with a viewing angle of 360˚ and the absence of direction adjustments are deprived of just such a problem. They are considered more resistant to vandalism.
Non-standard use of similar IEK automation
For most, it is customary to use motion sensors to control the main lighting. However, there are more "exotic" options for installing such devices. One of the most interesting is the connection of motion sensors to the illumination of steps in a private house. Here the options are different. Most often, with this installation, a photo relay is added to the circuit, which reacts to the state of illumination. At dusk, the illumination of the upper and lower steps automatically turns on. If a person approaches the flight of stairs, the built-in IEK motion sensor is triggered by givingpower to all lamps.
The most difficult option to perform is the installation of individual elements not every step. In this case, when moving, the backlight of 3-4 elements will turn on. It turns out that the lamps work as if in a cascade, in the course of a person's movement. However, such schemes are rare due to the complexity of their installation.
Criteria for selecting motion sensors
When purchasing such equipment, you should pay attention to a number of parameters that it must have. In addition to the radius of action and the angle of detection, the maximum allowable power load is very important, which determines the number of lighting fixtures connected to the device. For domestic use, IEK 1100W motion sensors will be the most suitable, but only if there are no high-power halogen spotlights in the circuit.
It is worth paying attention to the range of adjustments of the sensitivity and delay of opening the circuit and the mounting method (on the wall, ceiling, in the corner). If you plan to install the motion sensor outdoors, you should choose a device with an IP protection class of at least 68 to be sure that rain and snow will not cause it to fail.
You should not buy such products in small retail outlets. It is better to make such purchases in large stores that are ready to provide all the necessary documentation for the product.
Do-it-yourself installation of motion sensors
Forin order to connect such automation does not require special skills or experience. The work is not difficult, but it requires care and accuracy. All terminals for connecting conductors are marked, so problems should not arise. In fact, the entire installation resembles the switching of a conventional switch. The main thing is the performance of all work only with the voltage removed. It should be remembered that electric shock is dangerous not only for he alth, but also for life.
Quite often, novice masters make a mistake during installation, swapping the neutral and phase conductors.
When connected in this way, the device will work without any visible changes, but there is a risk of electric shock, for example, when replacing a light bulb. After all, it turns out that the phase wire approaches the lighting fixture directly, and the apparent absence of voltage is ensured only by a zero break.
Video tutorial on installation of such automation
In order for readers to understand the connection algorithm, a video on this topic is presented below. It is highly recommended to read it.
User opinion about IEK motion sensors
Paying attention to the reviews, we can say that this brand is considered one of the most reliable and inexpensive on the Russian market. Users note the ease of installation and durability of IEK products, while there are practically no negative opinions. What is interesting: almost everyone who speaks negatively about such devices purchased them at small retail outlets or from hand to hand.significantly underestimated cost, which directly indicates the non-original products.
Final part
Installing a motion sensor is a great way to save energy and prolong the life of lighting fixtures. The main thing is to remember that such equipment should not be used in conjunction with fluorescent lamps or CFLs, which are not designed for frequent on / off due to their design features. As for the other types of lighting devices, here only the maximum allowable load on the motion sensor in terms of power will serve as a limitation.
