Motion Lighting for a Porch

Description

• Motion sensor lighting uses motion to tell the lighting element when to turn on. This action makes the lighting self-activated and requires no manual manipulation by the homeowner once properly installed. Motion lights use timers to dictate how much time an area remains lit.

Uses

• The most common use of motion lighting is security. Unlit areas are prone to vandalism, break-ins and other criminal activity. Motion lights keep the area unlit until they detect movement in the vicinity, then light the area to illuminate the intruder. Lighting the porch to illuminate doors and locks is another use when the resident would require lighting to find the keyhole or doorknob and doesn't have access to a light switch. Motion lighting sensors also conserve energy by eliminating the need for the light to be on consistently after the residents leave home for any duration.

Installation

• Motion lighting uses the same electrical connections as regular porch lighting. Installation involves the same process required to change existing lighting. Unscrewing the light fixture from the wall reveals wires that are then detached. These same wires are then attached to the motion lighting and the new fixture is attached to the wall using the same holes as the old one. If no old fixtures were in place, then follow common practices for installing outdoor lighting on a building or lamp post.

Practicality

• The range desired and the space will determine the wattage of the bulb. Flood lighting is often used in conjunction with motion lighting and can overilluminate a small area when the bulb wattage is too high. Smaller lights can reach 15 feet, while larger wattage reaches up to 70 feet in distance. If you have trees or animals that cross through the range it can become a problem as the sensors will pick up their movement, thus sending frequent false reports for lighting. Conversely, placing the lights at the wrong angle or at one end of a large porch could yield inadequate lighting to the entire area that it is intended to illuminate. Best practices suggest placement of lighting near the entranceway of the porch or the house.