ご自宅に最適なPIR人感センサーの選び方

PIR人感センサーという名称になじみがなくても、生活のなかでその利便性を体感したことがあるはずです。オフィスの廊下やトイレに入ったとき、照明が自動的に点灯した経験はありませんか？それこそがPIR人感センサーの仕組みによるものです。

ご自宅の生活にこの便利な仕組みを取り入れたい方のために、最適なPIR人感センサーを選ぶためのガイドをご用意しました。

目次

• PIR人感センサーとは？
• 家庭用人感センサーを選ぶ際の検討ポイント
• まとめ

PIR人感センサーとは？

PIR（受動型赤外線）人感センサーとは、検知エリア内にある物体から放射される赤外線を受動的に測定する電子センサーです。 

PIR人感センサーはPIR技術をベースとした人感検知機器に広く採用されているため、 PIR人感センサー という用語は、電子部品そのものよりも、人感センサー検知器やスイッチ全体を指すのが一般的です。

PIR人感センサーは、多くの場合、動きを検知すると照明を点灯させ、人が立ち去ると消灯させる自動照明スイッチとして機能します。 人感センサースイッチ を使用することで、ご自宅の生活に快適さと利便性を加えながら、大幅な省エネと電気代の削減を実現できます。

家庭用人感センサーを選ぶ際の検討ポイント

住宅所有者がご自宅に最適な 人感センサー.

必要な機能の選択

人感センサーには主に2つの動作モードがあります。自動点灯・自動消灯を行う Occupancy（点灯保持）モード と、手動点灯・自動消灯を行うVacancy（手動点灯）モードです。 

Simply put:

• Occupancy mode(auto on/auto off) turns the light on and off automatically with more convenience. You don’t have to mind about the lighting at all.
• Vacancy mode(manual on/auto off) requires you to manually turn on the light and automatically turn it off while you leave. Compared to occupancy mode, vacancy mode could save more energy and keep the lights always off with no light false-on caused by motions.

While most motion sensors offer an integrity that combines the two modes into one, allowing you to switch modes freely for different applications and scenarios. There are certain types of motion sensors that are labeled as either an 人感センサー or a vacancy sensor only, meaning the function is singular and cannot be changed. 

For home usage, there are certain places more suitable for occupancy modes like bathrooms and garages. Places like master and kid bedrooms can be installed with vacancy sensors where you don’t want the light to turn on while in a good sleeping.

Or, simply choose a 2-in-1 motion sensor that you can change working mode any time you need. 

Mind the Installations

The installation is very easy. DIYers can replace and install motion sensors with only a screwdriver in under 15 minutes. But before choosing your ideal motion sensors, take a look at your light switch wallbox to see if there is a neutral wire or not.

Most PIR motion sensors require a neutral wire for the PIR sensor to work individually for detecting infrared and motions. If you already have a neutral wire in your wall box, you can choose most motion sensors on the market as they provide a neutral wire.

If you find no neutral wire but only a ground wire, don’t worry. You can still enjoy the convenience of motion sensor switches with the help of ground wire type motion sensors.

These types of motion sensors are specially made for homes that do not have a neutral wire. They work with a ground wire instead of the standard neutral wire. When choosing these types of motion sensors, go with sensors that are labeled with  “ground required” or “ground wire required”.

Design Matters

A well-designed product can improve your home’s comfort and convenience in all aspects. The ideal product should not only provide reliable functions but also fit your home’s overall decoration. Unlike commercial buildings that look for function over design, if the product cannot make your home look nicer than before, then it’s not a good product.

When choosing motion sensors for your home, look for these design factors that might make a difference. 

Color

We decorate our homes with diverse designs and colors. Every home is different and unique. You can choose to match the color of the motion sensor to your wall color. But sometimes, matching colors is not a bright idea as it’s hard to locate the switch. A classic white color sensor switch is always a wise choice, and they match almost every color.

Shape

If your home is a minimal-designed style, you can choose a square corner sensor switch to look fresh and lean. If your home is decorated with rich elements, you can choose a round corner switch that adds more warmth.

Function

Setting the function is not a one-time process. We might need to adjust mode frequently in daily usages, like adjusting to a longer 30 min time delay for kids to take a shower in the bathroom and change it back to 1 minute after shower. The convenience of how to adjust mode and setting is definitely one major thing to look at. While some sensors are designed with dials inside the cover plate, you need to uncover the plate first and use tools to adjust settings. It’s more convenient to choose a PIR motion sensor that is designed with touch-only operations by pressing buttons on the panel.  

まとめ

There is no motion sensor that suits all homes, but there is definitely one that suits you best. 

Following the general guidelines above can help you find your ideal motion sensors.

It’s never too late to replace your mechanical light switch with a PIR motion sensor switch to embrace to green and energy-saving lifestyle. And it saves electric bills, a lot!