Lighting PIR

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!

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 latest ESP device, the GuardCam LED, is a remarkable all-in-one security device that is both compact and cost-effective.Note: this LED GuardCam from ESP is no longer available; here is our latest offering for PIR lighting. Following up on the immensely popular GuardCam with a green alternative, this inexpensive device will keep your property safe while minimizing energy costs. GuardCam LED offers the usual security floodlight features: the GuardCam LED uses an integrated PIR motion detector with a huge 12-meter range (its "cone" 160°). When it detects an unauthorized presence in that range, the sensor switches on the floodlight - but it also has a few more tricks up its sleeve. The New LED Floodlight  First, the floodlight. While the original ("classic") GuardCam uses a halogen bulb, for properties and spaces that involve a lot of security-camera activations, the cost of running that bulb builds up. The 12W LED array in the GuardCam LED has an impressive output of 1100 lumens - about the equivalent of a 150W halogen light. It's enough to illuminate the area - and more than enough to provide the camera with enough light (more on that in a moment). By switching out the halogen lamp for LEDs, ESP has made a maintenance-free security device that could last for 40 years with average estimated usage! The FeaturesAs well as the floodlight, the GuardCam is also capable of recording still images and video with its high-resolution wide-angle camera - then it sends the files straight to a standard SD card that can be read by any computer. A 2GB card is provided which can store up to 60,000 images or 750 video clips, but any SD card can be used (up to a maximum of 64GB). Optionally, an audio warning will also be issued from the built-in speakers. If you want to record a personalized message, you can record using the on-board microphone simply by pressing a button on the underside of the device and speaking. It's possible that hardened intruders won't be scared off, but the audio warning often draws their attention to the device - so that they're looking right into the camera... You'd be forgiven for thinking it's a tricky set-up, but in fact all you need to install the GuardCam LED is a connection to the mains and the time to attach it to a wall. What's more: right now in the store the GuardCam LED is just £120 (+ VAT)! But that last feature is a tricky one: we know it's difficult to come up with a security message on the spot, but we can't think of anything better than "you there! Smile: You're on Camera!" Can our readers think of anything better? What could you say to deter a potential criminal?Note: this system is no longer available with us at Sparks; see all the Fire and Security systems we currently have on offer.