The motion detector is going crazy

What you need:

• Contact spray
• cardboard
• Adhesive tape
• paint brush

Causes of motion detectors malfunction

Passive motion detectors register changes in the ambient temperature. Active sensors send out a radar or an ultrasonic signal and react to changes in the reflection of the rays. Incorrect messages can have various causes.

• A weak battery can mean that an approach goes unnoticed. With active motion detectors, this can lead to fluctuations in the transmitted signal, which is incorrectly registered as motion.
• If the device often reports an approach that does not take place, it is often due to an incorrect focal length. For example, the device detects movements on the adjacent property or on the street, even though it is only supposed to monitor its own driveway.
• Many motion detectors also react to birds, small animals or moving branches. They seem to be playing crazy, but only register movements of small things.
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• The devices receive optical signals in an area that is not visible to humans. If the covers are dirty or scratched, the passage of radiation to the sensors is hindered. This disability is another reason why the motion detector can go crazy.


Set up motion detectors - this is how it works

There are many types of motion detectors. With the models in one ...

• Infrared motion detectors react to temperature differences. When it is very cold outside, a warm body is registered faster than when it is warm outside. Therefore, when it is cold, the devices often report approaching small animals that they would not notice in warm weather.

Help when the reporter goes crazy

1. To rule out the power supply as the cause, insert new batteries into a device that runs on batteries. If your motion detector is connected to the mains, check that all wires are securely connected to the device. Also watch out for oxidized contacts. If necessary, spray contact spray on it.
2. Move away from the motion detector and wait until it no longer registers you. If it is controlling a lamp, the lights must go out before you begin the test. Approach the device slowly. In this way you can see in which area the motion detector detects people. If the area covered is too large, change the detection radius. If your device cannot be adjusted, stick strips of cardboard in the area of ​​the lens. Experiment until the desired detection area is achieved.
3. The sensitivity of most motion detectors can be adjusted. Reduce this to such an extent that the detector no longer detects a person. Now increase the sensitivity a little until the device indicates that a person is approaching again.
4. If the motion detector is still going crazy, check for branches or other objects in the detection area. Remove this.
5. If these measures do not help either, it is probably due to a dirty optics. Clean them with a dampened brush. If you can remove a cover, gently rinse it with warm water and then replace it.

The motion detector should now work properly again. If it continues to malfunction, the electronics are probably defective. This must then be repaired by a specialist.