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How Do Motion Detectors Work In Baltimore?

July 29, 2023
Motion detector protecting interior of home

You’ve probably got a fairly decent understanding of what motion detectors do solely based on their name. Of course, they identify movement, but how precisely do they work? Take a minute to discover the technology behind them and the different sorts of devices you might find. You’ll gain a clearer appreciation of how they work and how you can integrate them into your advanced smart home.

 


What is the technology that powers motion detectors?

Identifying activity can be performed in a few distinct ways, but motion detectors are ordinarily placed into either of these categories - active or passive.

● Active motion detectors: These sensors are viewed as active, as they constantly broadcast signals like microwaves and then calculate the time of response. Movement is shown when the time of response changes. Even though microwave sensors are most prevalent, you’ll also encounter active motion detectors that utilize sound waves or infrared light.

● Passive infrared (PIR) motion detectors: Commonly seen within home defense systems, PIR motion detectors perform by discovering changes in the ambient temperature. ​​In essence, the component learns what the standard temperature should be within a designated area. If there are abrupt surges of heat, like a trespasser creeping across the space, the sensor takes notice and initiates your security alarm. Since they aren’t actively sending out signals, passive detectors usually consume less power and are less expensive to run.

Besides active and passive, you could come across hybrid motion detectors that use multiple technologies. These can help minimize false alarms, as every sensor has to be triggered before the alarm system is prompted. Additional choices include vibration motion detectors and tomographic sensors that are often employed in larger industrial buildings.

How to incorporate Baltimore motion detectors

The primary goal of motion detectors is to detect activity within a designated area, usually to a distance of 50 feet away. You’ll commonly find them integrated into outdoor floodlights or as standalone devices within your property. When activity is sensed, they’ll trigger your warning siren and notify your 24/7 monitoring team.

But modern motion detectors are more functional than ever before. In fact, they can interact directly with other smart devices. For example, if motion is detected, they might trigger your smart bulbs to turn on or your surveillance camera to commence recording. They can even signal your smart thermostat to change the temperature.

Get immediate alerts and customize settings for pets

One more significant benefit of contemporary motion detectors is that you’ll get automatic notifications transmitted to your cell phone any time the sensor is triggered. If you own pets, you may even ward off false alarms by customizing settings to accommodate the size of your furry companions.

Design Your Vivint Smart Home With Motion Detectors in Baltimore

Now that you have a better understanding of how motion detectors work in Baltimore, it’s a great time to include them into your contemporary smart home. Vivint’s motion detectors oversee large areas, offer wide-angle capability, and last for many years without necessitating a new battery. They’ll also synchronize perfectly with your other home automation tools. Are you ready to start? Call (410) 231-7697 to talk to a helpful Vivint specialist today.