Just realized my old trick for testing PIR sensors was actually making them less reliable

For years, I'd wave my hand real fast in front of a sensor to test it, thinking a quick motion was the best check. Last week on a job in Spokane, I had a sensor keep giving false alarms after I'd 'passed' it. A senior tech told me to walk slowly across its field instead. Turns out the fast motion was missing the sensor's proper detection pattern, and slow walks are the real test. Anyone else have a basic habit they had to unlearn?

3 comments

3 Comments

lisa_henderson3319d ago

Honestly, that's not just for PIR sensors either. I had to learn the same slow walk thing for a lot of motion gear.

parker_patel6019d ago

My old security system was the same way.

sandra_anderson12d ago

My friend's cat used to set his off all the time.