Splashproof Flush Mounted PIR Occupancy Switch, IP44 Sealed Bathroom Version Danlers CEFL PIRS 10sec-40min Time Lag Range 6A

The PIR - Passive Infrared Sensor - is an electronic sensor that measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view and then trigger a certain action in a device or light fitting. They are most often used in PIR-based motion detectors, and they work in conjunction with lights, heating, ventilation, etc. Their main purpose is detecting the presence (or absence) of a human being (or a pet) in a certain area, and then switching ON or OFF the light, the fan, or the heat. The PIRs are of different kinds depending on the lighting loads, location (indoor or outdoor, wall or ceiling), IP rating, usage, etc. Some PIRs are integrated with the fitting: some light fittings come complete with a PIR sensor, and some fans have a PIR integrated for presence or motion detection. On our website at www.sparksdirect.co.uk we have quite a large range of PIR sensors - the standalone units - to help you save energy and make sure you don't waste money just because you forgot to turn the light or the fan off. Ceiling or Wall PIR Detectors from CP Electronics CP Electronics has quite a wide range of PIRs. One of them is the batten mount PIR, a miniature PIR that has been specifically engineered for mounting directly onto a batten style luminaire (see EBMPIR-MB), while another one is a retrofit PIR that allows previously uncontrolled lighting sources to benefit from presence detection and lux level (see EBMINT); these are both ceiling mounted PIRs. For ceiling flush mounting CP Electronics has the GEFL PIR movement sensor that provides automatic control of lighting, heating, or ventilation loads, having a low profile and being almost un-noticeable on the ceiling.If you prefer a wall-mounted PIR, the PDS-PRM no neutral wall mounted presence detector combines the PIR presence detection with a time delay function - it ideally replaces a wall switch so that, when the presence of a person is detected, the light turns on automatically. PIR Occupancy Switches from Danlers The Danlers range of passive PIR infra-red occupancy switches is designed for the automatic control of lighting, heating, ventilation or air conditioning loads. How it works: the PIR switch will switch on the connected load automatically when an area is occupied, and then switch it off automatically when the area has been vacant for a chosen duration. This has the benefits of reduced energy bills and automatic control. When being used to control lighting, the built-in photocell can be used to keep the lights off on bright days. Among the most popular ceiling flush PIRs from Danlers are the CEFL PIR (ideal for false or plasterboard ceilings) and the CEFL Sealed version (ideal for bathrooms and damp areas, sealed bathroom version). They also provide a wide range of batten mounted PIRs with the new "intelligent" photocell and a range of 5-10m detection; they are cost-effective solutions. Furthermore, they have some ceiling directional PIRs (which can be rotated and lowered, ideal for corridors and aisles), wall PIR detectors, and even some PIR occupancy switch modules (ideal for building into luminaires and for wall/ceiling mounting). Other PIRs: mini PIR, Outdoor PIRs, and Integrated PIRs Besides these two main British Manufacturers of PIR detectors and sensors there are many others, such as the outdoor BB2002 black outdoor wall-mounted PIR (up to 2000W, covers approx. 10m range, can be manually operated) and the BB3027 (2000W black PIR for corner-mounting outdoor, 270 degrees, 10m coverage). For indoor lighting control and with a £1 size is the BEG Luxomat PD9 - circular detection area, ceiling mounted or directly built-in lamps, or the ceiling mounted PD3FC circular mini occupancy detector which can be remotely controlled. For small spaces such as wardrobe lighting you can always use the LEDPC in-line photocell for LED striplights or the PIRSENSO mini PIR motion sensor for switching ON/OFF the lights up to 250W (10 sec - 3 mins PIR cupboard switch). The choice is yours: where and for what do you need a presence detector? Is it for indoor or outdoor? Is it for LED lamps, fluorescent fittings, or regular halogen or incandescent lamps? Take a look at the PIR solutions we at Sparks can offer you, and let us know if you need more information!

Winners of the Queen's Awards for Enterprise for Innovation in 2010, Danlers Ltd is a family-owned UK company which designed and manufactured electronic energy-saving lighting controls for the past 20 years or so. Their R&D team is continually working on developing next-generation products in the lighting control industry, facing the well-known challenge of the influx of newer technologies of LED lights and other digital technologies. Tony Kay (the executive chairman) says, DANLERS commitment to reliability, simplicity and our UK manufacturing heritage is at the heart of why customers like our products. Helping You Select the Right PIR Switch If you browse our website or any online store with PIR switches, you tend to either be confused or not be clear about which switch you need. We apologize for the inconvenience of not yet having a precise page where we can present the below information, but for now we would like to at least post on our blog some ideas and information that may help you choose the right PIR occupancy switch. It is very important to consult with your electrician, first of all, and secondly to know what you're buying. Here are some categories or criteria of choosing a PIR occupancy switch: Ceiling Mounted PIR Switches with 360 degrees Detection Zone As per the diagram above, Danlers has a wide range of ceiling-mounted PIR occupancy switches which have a 360-degree detection zone. They can be either flush mounted (in false ceilings or plasterboard ceilings), or surface mounted (having a small projection from the ceiling). Also, they can be hard wired or plug & socket. Ceiling Mounted PIR Switches with 120 degrees detection angle or low-range directional narrow beam Besides the PIR occupancy detector switches with a full 360-degree detection zone you can have the surface-mounted plug an d socket CEDR + CESO (120 degrees directional detection angle) or the CEDR 6PLR + CESO (with a long-range directional narrow beam). Wall Mounted PIR Switches with 120 Degrees Detection Angle If you need a wall-mounted PIR switch with a plaster depth wall box (16mm), there's the WACE PIR and WAPIR needing or not needing neutral wire respectively. They both have a 120-degree detection angle. Where Do People Use PIR Switches? The PIR switches are becoming very common both at home and in the office, since they have a time lag switch incorporated which automatically turns ON or OFF the lights when activated, dealing once and for all with the problem of "I forgot the lights ON!" This means you can use PIR switches and time lag switches in places like the living room, the bedroom, in offices, factories, schools, workshops, factories, hotels, canteens, staff rooms, corridors, stairwells, changing rooms, students accommodations, toilet blocks, military accommodation, etc. And you can buy them at some of the most affordable prices via, Time Lag Switches, and, Occupancy Detector Switches, on our website.

The good people at Danlers have some great guides related to PIR occupancy switches, where to use them, what does all the technical jargon mean, and so on. Today we were looking at the "PIR occupancy switch specifications" section and we found it inspiring. What is a PIR switch? What does it mean "adjustable time lag"? What's an adjustable photocell? These and some other questions are dealt with below.What is a PIR detector? A PIR is a passive infra-red quad person detector. It is a sensor that measures via infra red the light radiating from objects or beings in its field of view / area of sight. What is the Adjustable Time Lag? The PIR detectors have an adjustable time lag adjustable in nine steps, with the following approximate values: 10 sec, 20sec, 40sec, 1.25min, 2.5mins, 5mins, 10mins, 20mins, 40mins. What is an Adjustable Photocell? A photocell is "inhibit on", which means that it will "inhibit the lights" from switching on when someone enters an area with plenty of ambient light. Also, if the photocell detects that someone already is in an area and the lights are switched on, it will allow the lights to remain on (regardless of any increase in the light level). This feature is for avoiding any nuisance like switching off the lights when people are still in the room or there's a meeting going on in that venue. The photocell detects a range of 100-111lux (and photocell inactive) falling on the working plane. What Load do Danlers PIR Switches Take? What is the maximum load that the Danlers PIR switches can take? All the Danlers PIR occupancy detectors can switch up to 1500W 6Amp at 230V of resistive, transformer, or fluorescent loads, up to 500W 2Amp of low energy lighting loads (like the compact fluorescent and the LED lights), or up to 250W 1Amp of fans / metal halide lamps. Of course, a few PIR switches can be wired in parallel in order to control the same load. The Initial Start-up Mode When a PIR switch is set up and the mains supply is connected to the PIR occupancy switch for the first time, it goes through something called "Start-up mode". The switch is turned on for 1min, then switches off and enters its "Operating Mode". Please note that if a manual wall switch is feeding the PIR occupancy switch, it will go through the start-up mode each time the wall switch is switched ON. But if you wire the manual wall switch in the alternative position, the supply to the PIR occupancy switch will be uninterrupted and it will remain in "operating mode" (it won't go through "start-up mode" each time the wall switch is ON). Do you have any questions concerning the Danlers Occupancy Switches and PIR detectors? Please leave a comment below, or contact Danlers via their website. You can purchase Danlers occupancy detectors and time lag switches via the Lighting PIR section on our website. 

The ever-helpful Apartment Therapy recently published a short, slightly intimate treatise on practical lighting. Highlighted are four common household areas that often need more light - and which are often overlooked in the overall renovation of a house's design or renovation. But these are the spots which, if properly lit, enhance the experience of daily life immeasurably. The one thing the post lacks is recommendations for good lights and links to, say, an independent British retailer - which we are glad to provide for our UK readers today. We've pulled quotes from Apartment Therapy, but the whole thing is worth a read, especially the comments thread, which as usual contains more than a few nuggets of wisdom.THE ENTRY (OR "LANDING STRIP") It's the first place your guests see when they enter your home, and the spot where you probably need the best organization as you dart out the door (hopefully with your easily accessible keys and phone). A warm light here sets a welcoming tone and makes your daily exit all the easier. The first room in the house - usually a hallway, but we remember a time we lived in a small flat with a room almost as big as the living room - is particularly tricky to light. You need to toe the line between functionality (being able to find everything on the way out) and atmosphere (welcoming you, your family, and/or your guests). Although your interior design tastes might differ, we think wall lights to complement the general light coming from the ceiling are a good all-around solution. You can go the recessed route or the surface route - both will look and feel great. The header image of this post comes from Apartment Therapy and features a pair of Parma 210 Uplight/Downlights, which are plaster and can thus be painted to match the hallway! Closets Sometimes it's the smallest spaces that need the best lighting. A good light in the closet will make even an undersized one more efficient.If you've ever rummaged around a closet or a wardrobe for an hour looking for that one mobile phone charger or that lucky sock, you'll understand this grievance. Luckily, we have a range of small, but powerful, wardrobe lights that transform a storage space. Better yet, we can make that closet lighting efficient: instead of a manual switch, why not install a "push-to-break" surface contact that will turn out the light when the door is closed? Or if the closet door might be blown open by a draught, a discreet motion sensor will activate the lights when someone enters the closet. Under-Kitchen Shelving Save yourself the squint wrinkles and install a few under-shelf/cabinet lights. When I remember to turn mine on, I slice like a pro. Plus, turning these on and turning off the overhead lights creates a nice ambiance.Task lights in the kitchen are some of our favorite things. Not just atmospheric but also incredibly useful - not to mention very helpful when slicing vegetables! This pyramid cupboard light is stylish in silver and fulfills whatever task light needs you have. Cooking in a tiny kitchen? That's no problem - we have one for corners, too. Bathrooms Ideally, you should use a mix of diffused lights. I like halogen for vanity lights and incandescent for overhead. The light should be soft enough to be flattering, but not so dim that you can't apply makeup easily. We should mention that bathroom lights need to be considered carefully: electrical items for use in wet rooms are IP-rated against water ingress, and there are 3 different zones in the bathroom depending on how much water they will come in contact with. Our bathroom lighting section has a great deal of information, coupled with some very attractive and stylish lights. Do you think Apartment Therapy missed anything? Are there other areas at home in which darkness can drive you mad?