How does a motion detector light work?

Answer by  Peg (459)

When any movement is detected in front of the sensor, the light goes on. For instance, if a person walks in front of a motion detector light, the sensor notices that movement and triggers the machine to turn the light on. It acts as a light switch would to turn on a light.

Answer by  Howie65 (42)

It contains a passive infrared (PIR) detector which detects changes in infrared (heat) and controls the power to the light.

Answer by  Sally11 (78)

Motion detector lights have a sensor built in to them that can tell when there is movement in or around the light. When the sensor is triggered by motion, it triggers the light to come on. An electronic motion detector quantifies movement and transforms it into an electronic signal that turns on the light.

Answer by  Binome (1975)

Motion detector lights work using infrared. They detect only rapid changes in the infrared spectrum. Thus, a person moving shows up, but the sidewalk cooling off at night doesn't.

Answer by  Mollichella (445)

A sensor is placed on the specific light and when that sensor is triggered the light turns on. Motion detects work similar to way that burgler alarms work. They both have the same concept and are wired pretty much the same way. They are a great tool to protect your home.

Answer by  diva25 (4016)

It has a motion detector in it much like the clapper. If it feels motion it turns on. There really isn't much more to it. It is used to try and deter people from stealing things, that way they think that someone sees them and they run off scared. They can also be called gotcha lights.

Answer by  Liz59 (10966)

They detect light according to the very glimpse of it. Also when any motion of light is traveling across the room, they will detect it. Light travels very fast so therefore, the motion detector may not be able to glimpse all of the samples of light traveling into the room.

Answer by  LeheckaG (1826)

A-motion-detector-light uses (2) or more PIR/passive-infra-red-sensors, and Samples the-infra-red-light detected by each; Relative-movement is detected by changes in (1) of the PIR-sensors not detected by the-others, Turning the light on.

Answer by  bitchstewie (489)

A motion detector works by sending out a signal on a regular basis. If the signal is interrupted by something in motion the return signal will change and trigger the detector.