How to Choose the Best Security Lights
Security lights keep people and property safe by illuminating areas of the home or office that might otherwise be hard to see at night. These include driveways, steps, porches, entry doors and parking lots.
They can also deter burglars, vandals and other unwanted intruders. But not all security lighting is created equal. Here are some important factors to consider when choosing the right kind for your property:
Brightness
Security lighting should be bright enough to be seen and deter intruders but not so bright that it irritates neighbors or disrupts sleep patterns. A good rule of thumb is to look for lights that offer between 700 and 1300 lumens. The warm-up time is another important factor to consider. Look for models that turn on instantly to startle intruders and illuminate their intended targets.
It’s also crucial to select fixtures that are compatible with your home’s architectural style and that blend in nicely with the surrounding landscape, creating a visually appealing outdoor environment. You can find options that complement a variety of styles, from contemporary to traditional to rustic.
Dusk to dawn lighting operates between sunset and sunrise, utilizing a built-in photocell to switch on automatically when daylight levels decrease. The light will then switch off when the sun rises, eliminating unnecessary energy consumption and helping you save money on your utility bills.
If you’re a homeowner, consider integrating your security lighting with other smart devices like doorbells and security cameras. This will help you create a cohesive and integrated system that will give you peace of mind no matter where you are. Also remember to maintain your security lighting fixtures on a regular basis, cleaning them regularly to remove dust and debris and addressing any signs of damage or wear and tear promptly.
Motion Detectors
Motion detection lights are a great way to deter burglars because they draw attention when activated. This can help you catch an intruder before they can led surface panel light get away and can also alert neighbors to someone on your property. These lights can work well with a security camera, too, by triggering the camera so that it starts recording when a sensor is triggered.
Motion detector lights use either passive infrared sensors or active sensors to sense movement. Passive sensors scan the area for radiation waves and recognize changes in heat by comparing the temperatures of different slots. When a person or animal moves into the coverage area, the temperature in one of the slots will rise and trigger the light. Active sensors are more sophisticated than passive ones and use a variety of ways to detect motion, such as by looking for a change in the reflection of infrared waves.
It’s important to place motion sensor lights in places that can see areas of your home that you frequently walk through, such as a hallway outside of a bedroom. However, you also want to keep them away from sunny windows, heating vents and radiators. Too much direct sunlight or hot air can confuse the sensor and cause a false alarm.
It’s also important to play around with the sensitivity security lights settings on your motion sensors. How sensitive you want the sensor to be will affect how often it turns on your lights. You’ll likely need to adjust it a few times until you find the right setting.
Timer Settings
Most outdoor security lights are hardwired and powered by electricity. They are usually connected to a timer, which can turn them on and off at pre-set times when you are away from home. This gives the appearance that someone is home and can help deter burglars.
Some hardwired security lights also have a manual switch that can be operated by hand to override the timer settings, giving you control in case of an emergency. Other models are battery-powered, allowing you to take them with you when you travel.
The timer setting determines how long a motion sensor light stays on after the last movement is detected. This feature helps to reduce energy consumption and prevents lights from turning off before the area is completely clear of movement. It also allows you to use the light as a nightlight for porches, patios, yards and driveways.
If the timer has a segmented dial, simply lift the segments at the time of day you want to start the electrical item. For example, if you want the light to come on at 7 p.m. and shut off at 11 p.m., lift the first and second segments on the dial. Once the timer is set, it will repeat every day until you change it again. Some timers have a cycle interval setting that lets you choose how many times the event will occur in a set period of time, for example, every 10 minutes.
Energy Efficiency
Security lights can be used to deter intruders by shining a bright light on their approach, but they are also designed to help keep homeowners safe by activating only when motion is detected. This feature helps to reduce energy costs, as it prevents lights from being turned on during the day or left on when no one is home.
LED security lighting has an added benefit of being more environmentally-friendly than traditional options. This is because they consume less energy and emit fewer toxins. They also have longer lifespans and require less frequent replacements, making them a cost-effective option for long-term use.
For the best results, homeowners should choose fixtures with a UL or IP rating that are appropriate for their climate. They should also consider the power source and wiring, ensuring that they are properly rated for outdoor use and have a weatherproof connection. Additionally, they should consider a system that features tamper-resistant design to protect against vandalism and malicious interference.
Other important factors to consider when choosing a security lighting system include whether it includes an occupancy sensor and dusk-to-dawn sensors. Occupancy sensors help to enhance convenience by turning on lights when a space is occupied and saving energy by reducing the amount of light that is used when a space is unoccupied. Dusk-to-dawn sensor technology allows lights to be programmed to turn on automatically at night and off during the day.