|
|
 |
| Infrared
Motion Detectors |
 |
Infrared
Motion Detectors
Infrared Motion detectors may look very similar to what
you see here. Motion detectors are designed to go into alarm
when they detect movement. Infrared motion detectors detect
movement by tracking warm bodied objects. False alarms are
caused by the following: dogs, cats, pets, and of course people.
In addition, motion detectors cause false alarms when pockets
of hot air are seen by the motion detector when it comes into
contact with a inanimate object. Such as a curtain, balloon,
poster, etc. Listed below are common causes of false alarms
generated by motion detectors. Read the Motion Detector Module
for more information.
|
 |
Diagnostic
Module for Motion Detectors. |
|
Listed below are a few
common causes of false alarms generated by infrared motion detectors.
In some cases the cause of a false alarm may not be obvious however
these examples may be of some help to you as a end user.
1.
Does the motion detector face an air vent?
Check for drafts that can move plants,
curtains, signs, holiday decorations, helium balloons, etc.
Other sources of air movement are fans, heaters, air conditioners,
open windows, etc. Supervise or confine pets to areas without
motion detectors. Remember this simple rule. Anything that
moves when a fan and or air conditioning unit turns on can
cause the motion detector to trip and cause a false alarm.
|
 2.
Are there any fans in the room?
Be sure to fans off. Be sure they are not spinning before arming
your Security System! Fans that are moving have motors and running
motors generate heat! Pockets of air (drafts) are sucked into
the blades and pushed out into the motion detectors protection
field. This heated air may move a curtain, plant, paper , poster,
causing the motion detector to trip and report a false alarm.
|
3. Is the detector on a wall
that is subject to vibrations?
Place
your hand on same wall that the motion detector is mounted
on. Have an assistant knock on the door. If you detect any
vibration then so does the detector. If your alarm system
is armed and a visitor knocks on the door this could trigger
the motion detector to generate a false alarms. If the detector
is on a wall that has vibrations then over time it will loosen
the anchors, connections and wires. You may want to consult
a professional to determine what options you have in order
to resolve this false alarm issue.e.
|
4.
Does the Detector face direct sunlight? Is it subjected to
headlights?
White
light causes false alarms. If your detector faces the sunlight
and often is struck by either sun light or headlights. You
need to have a new motion detector installed. The new motion
detector will need to have a white light filter. You should
consult a professional for assistance. Or you can relocate
the motion detector if that is better suited for the area
you are protecting. Best way to avoid white light problems
is to avoid installing motion detectors facing glass within
50 percent of it's operating range. Example, a detector that
covers a sixty degree angle should have no more then 30 degrees
of white light exposure. We believe that 20 degrees of white
light exposure should be the max in this particular example.
|
|
5.
Do you have radio traffic nearby?
Motion Detectors may cause false alarms from RFI transmissions.
Radio Frequency Interference can cause motion detectors to
report false alarms. These transmissions, Radio Frequency
Interference causes modulation of the power supply feeding
the Motion Detector thereby causing false alarms. To fix this
false alarm issue you need to have a " motion stabilizer"
installed. It should be noted that Police Radios, Air Traffic
control towers, even cb radios can all cause RFI. False Alarms
caused by motion detectors generated by RFI is however rare
and should be diagnosed by a professional technician.
|
6.Do
you have pets?
Infrared motion detectors often generate false alarms when
pets are left in the house. Motion detectors often cause false
alarms even if the protection device claims pet immunity.
This is largely in part because either the technician didn't
understand the application or the home owner has exceeded
the maximum weight limits that the motion detector is designed
to handle. The cause for this could could be as simple as
adding a pet to the house hold. Please visit pet immune
motion detectors for the latest update on recommended motion
detectors for indoor pets. One other note: Pet immunity usually
refers to a specified weight mass. Example a 40lbs pet immune
detector may be fine for a thirty pound dog. If, however you
add another pet then you have potentially exceeded that pet
immune detectors limitations. This happens if both animals
are in contact while in the protection field. These kind of
false alarm issues are best handled by a competent alarm technician.
|
| 7.
Unstable voltage at the detector will and does cause false alarms.
This can be caused by low batteries , loose connections, etc.
See Voltage triggered false alarms for more detailed information.
These kind of issues usually requires a technician to
properly diagnose and fix the problem. |
| 8.
Spider webs, spiders, other insects inside the motion detector
will cause false alarms. Keep detectors clean. |
| 9.
If the above causes have been ruled out. The motion Detector
doesn't work properly!
Contact one of our alarm service providers
so they can fix your false alarm problem. |
|
|
