A motion detector in your yard or home does just what it says that it will do. It detects motion. When you connect it to a source, the motion detector is connected to either lights, alarms or something else that will alert you when there is any kind of movement inside your home or outside.

Needless to say if you live in a high traffic area, or have hikers walking near your home etc., you’re going to want to pay careful attention to the placement of it and how it’s arranged. You obviously don’t want an attached alarm going off ten times a night to alert you and your neighbors that the cat from four doors down has just brought his playmate over. We’re joking, although we have seen some odd setups.

There are three kinds of motion sensors. Microwave active, ultrasonic active, and passive infrared sensors can all be used. Most of them will use more than one technology to alert you to movement.

In addition, the sensors that rely on more than one kind of technology also help to lower your incidence of false alarms. Most motion detectors have functions that permit them to ignore a pet that weighs less than 80 pounds, which is handy for the pet owner.

A motion detector in your home or residential area can serve a wide array of purposes. Along with helping to light the path for legitimate visitors, they can also help when you come home well after dark, having forgotten to leave the porch lights on.

They not only deter those who want to slink around in the dark, but they improve security for you when you come home late. Then a light is popped on by the motion of someone walking past, that offers the news that someone is paying attention, which is often enough to foil a burglary attempt.

If you live in the rural areas, motion detectors can be valuable, time saving and money saving devices that will help you to arrive home and get indoors safely and with a well-lit pathway. Even for the city dweller, it’s always a good idea to employ motion sensing lights outside your home.