Use Cases Of Pir Sensor For Motion Detection

There are many different and distinct types of motion detection. Each of them has a certain type of feature and can be used for specific applications. When choosing the PIR Sensor for Motion Detection, always keep in mind the application. If the type of detection is not suitable for your applications then it will provide wrong results that can be a harmful or economic failure. Here we are looking at the PIR sensor as the detection method and we will also closely review the number of applications where you can use this method of detection for accurate results. 

What are Passive InfraRed sensors?

The PIR sensors also known as passive infrared sensors monitor a field of view. It looks for any kind of heat source in the desired area. It detects any kind of moving or stationary source of heat that comes in its viewing range. The sensor detects changes in the quantity of infrared radiation, and the moment the smallest threshold restriction is achieved it will alert any system it is connected to like a light, an alarm, or any camera. 

PIR Sensor working principle

The PIR Motion Sensor is quite simple in comparison to the alternative sensors. It has 2 slots for detection and these slots are made of sensitive material. The Fresnel lens is used for the 2 slots of the PIR to check the distance of the monitored area. When the sensor is inactive, then the 2 slots detect a similar amount of IR waves. The ambient quantity radiates from the outdoors, partitions or room, etc.

The main slot of the sensor detects the heat source if a person or an animal comes in the viewing range. This causes a superb differential between the 2 bisects and the 2 slots of the sensor. But while the heat source leaves the sensing area, the sensor generates a poor differential in the 2 bisects.

What is the Range of PIR Sensors?

The PIR sensors come in a varying range of sensing areas for indoor applications there are sensors ranging from 25 cm to 20 meters of detection range, the similar detection range also is used for some types of outdoor applications like in the garden or backyard monitoring. 

Then comes the detection range for the industrial and commercial types of applications where the sensing range is from 10 meters to 150 meters. This sensing range is ideal for industrial-grade applications. 

Real-time use cases of PIR sensors for motion detection

Security and surveillance 

The typical use case of PIR sensors can be seen in security and surveillance. Even in homes, it can be installed in the hallways, entry gates, even on windows to prevent burglars. This will detect any type of intrusion; the sensor will be sending the real-time readings and output alert to either your smartphone or any other alerting system. You can also connect it with an alarm system so the moment it detects the intrusion the alarm will go off alerting you and the other people present in the area. Also, it can show you the same results on your smartphone in case of intrusion and you can alert the authorities. 

Home Appliances

Another use case of PIR Sensor for Motion Detection is in home appliances. There are certain types of PIR sensors that are pre-installed in AC units; these can detect the heat source in any room and provide the cooling targeting that corner of the room only. Once the person is out of the room it will sense that the heat source is not in the room and it will turn the AC off. If the person enters again the AC will be turned on. This is a very smart and innovative way to use the Passive InfraRed sensors that also helps us to prevent wastage of electricity and save cost.

Automated Doors

In the shops and malls, you must have automated doors, meaning as soon as a person reaches the entry gate or passage the door will automatically open. There are Passive InfraRed sensors installed in the doors and these detect the heat source and activate the door system to open and close once the heat source is out of detection range. This is a very smart way to avoid touching the doorknobs and handles considering the COVID times; this can be a prevention method. 

Parking Areas

Now let’s see some of the commercial applications and parking areas is one of them. Everything emits some level of infrared waves and the closer the object comes in contact with the sensor the higher the detection is. It automatically checks the open spots for parking. The vehicle also opens and closes the gates. It helps us save time in trying to find an open parking spot. 

Shared co-working spaces

It is used in the module for occupancy sensors which will send the real-time data of the occupancy preventing the wastage of energy of open spaces. This is a very innovative way to reduce the cost in workspace places where people share other resources as well. 

Lightings

Another real-time example can be automated lighting on the street. The use is very simple. It will detect the motion or heat source to activate the switch to turn the lights on and again as soon as the heat source or movement is out of the range it will again instruct the switch to turn the lights off. This is seen as a very economic and innovative way to save energy. This can be seen in street lights, parking spots, warehouses, and many other applications. 

Conclusion

The PIR sensor for motion detection technology is very simple in comparison with other types of motion detection techniques. But it is more powerful than it might seem initially; the monitoring and alert system are very simple. The readings and output are either yes or no making it a very desirable detection method in common and typical applications where you do not want technical complexities. 

In addition, the way the Passive InfraRed sensors operate doesn’t have the finest variety, and it is able to effortlessly fall foul of obstructions and pass heat signatures like pets and small creatures like insects, etc. as a way to cause fake alarms.