How easily triggered are home security motion detectors?

With the modern advances in security technology, home security systems have become increasingly advanced in the areas of both camera resolution and motion detection. But how sensitive are home security motion detectors? In this article, we will explore the most common triggers for motion sensors and how to calibrate your home security to suit your needs.  

What is a motion detector?

As the name suggests, a motion detector is triggered by movement and within the realm of a security system, this trigger will cause an alert of some kind. With wireless technology, alerts of motion detected are delivered directly to your phone regardless of where in the world you are, and this alert can also cause your cameras to begin recording automatically. When you consider the sensitivity of a motion detector, you are looking for the movements that will be detected through the sensor as uncommon motions that can be a security concern for your home. If not related to a security situation, the motion being detected can also be known as a false alarm.

How is the sensitivity of a motion detector programmed? 

In most modern home security systems, the sensitivity of motion detectors can be dialled up or back to suit the area being monitored. These days, with the introduction of AI, smart security systems can detect motions like pets or workers without setting off any alarms, and as this technology improves, the likelihood of false alarms being triggered due to normal motions that are not a threat will decrease. 

The most common triggers for motion detectors

There are many things that move around both inside and outside of a home that can trigger a motion detector. Some of the most common triggers that set off false alarms in your security system are everyday occurrences, so you need to ensure that your motion detectors are calibrated to account for these while still adequately monitoring the area. 

Wild animals or pets

Pets are one of the most common causes of motion detection within home security systems as, most of the time, your furry friends remain at home when you are out. If you live on a rural property, this can also extend to wild animals like foxes and birds. 

Unexpected visitors

While most modern security systems that utilise AI technology can recognise your everyday comings and goings, they may still be triggered by the motion of an unexpected visitor at your front or back door. 

Wild weather

Strong winds and heavy rains can trigger motion alarms on a home security system. Trees moving from wind, heavy rain or hail will all be picked up if the motion it causes is strong enough. 

Heat

Drastic temperature changes can be a trigger for motion detectors. If you have a very sensitive detector, the heat from a vent or a blast of air from an air-conditioning unit can sometimes trigger a false alarm. 

Light and reflections

Direct sunlight, changing light patterns (like leaves filtering light through the trees) and reflections from windows are all common causes of motion detection triggers. The key to utilising motion detectors within your home security system is to find a balance where you are not annoyed by continuous false alarms, but anything abnormal occurring at your home is detected for security reasons. 

How to calibrate a motion detector

Many self-installed home security systems come with motion detectors that can be placed in strategic locations around the home. If your detectors have a sensitivity dial, it is best calibrated using a trial-and-error method. When you first install the motion detectors, you should choose the location for each one, bearing in mind the most common triggers of false alarms noted above. Once the detectors are installed, set the sensitivity level to medium and see how many triggers occur in the next couple of days. If nothing is triggering it, dial the sensitivity level up slightly or down as needed. If you are installing a smart home security system, the motion detection will usually have an AI element that will set the sensitivity of the motion detectors automatically. 

What to do if your motion detector is too sensitive

If the sensitivity of your motion detectors is set too high, you might find that there are many occurrences of false alarms being triggered. If you can dial the sensitivity back a little bit, this could be an easy fix, but if you cannot locate the sensitivity dial, you should consult the instruction manual for the security system. In some cases, the positioning of the motion detectors could be what is triggering the false alarms and fixed by a simple relocation of the offending detector. If a solution still cannot be found, you can either contact the manufacturer of the system directly or call a security system expert for assistance. 

The benefits of having your home security system professionally installed

While many people like DIY projects, a security system is an important aspect that protects the safety of your home and your family. If you don’t feel 100% confident installing a security system yourself or experiencing difficulties with the sensitivity of your motion detectors, it is usually time to call an expert. Many security companies offer competitive installation rates. With installation included, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your system is working to the best of its capacity, and you won’t have to deal with pesky false alarm notifications while you calibrate the motion detectors yourself. 

Seasoned experts like Smart Security can easily answer questions including “How sensitive are home security motion detectors?” and “Why does my alarm keep triggering for no reason?” with years of knowledge and expertise. They can work closely with you to ensure that your home has the right level of security coverage within your budget and help to take the pesky problems that come with self-installation off your hands. Contact the team at Smart Security today for more information or to arrange a free quote to discover just how affordable home security can be.