Wireless Motion-Sensing Light Switches
Do you often forget to switch off the lights in your garage, basement or laundry room? Did you ever consider installing an energy-saving motion detector to switch the lights on and off automatically, but didn't fancy the effort or want to spend your money if your home is rented? Now there are solutions that you can simply screw into an existing light socket without any hassle and in just 60 seconds or, alternatively, wireless motion detection switches.
Why It's Clever
It's often convenient to have the lights switch on automatically when you enter a room with your hands full. And in rooms you don't go into often, it probably happens more than once that you forget to switch off the lights when leaving and discover only days later that they're still on.Motion detectors have been around for a long time of course, but the drawback is that you need to place the sensor somewhere and connect it to the light, involving cabling and drilling work. I don't know about you, but personally I avoid such chores whenever I can, and certainly if my home was rented I wouldn't make the effort.
We've found two approaches to solve this problem that don't require wiring and drilling.
The first type of product is simply screwed into an existing light socket, after which the bulb is screwed into the sensor socket. Sixty seconds and you're done!
This offers a 360 degrees detection with a configurable distance of up to approximately 12 ft. The on time is also configurable up to a few minutes after the end of movement. This is the simplest solution to your problem, but only suitable if the door where you enter the room is not too far away from the bulb.
Another approach is a battery-operated motion detector wirelessly controlling the lamp that needs to be switched on/off – for instance, the Eagle Eye MS14A from X10 or the Marmitek MS13. 
The advantage of these solutions is that you can place the detector wherever you like – for instance, next to the door where you enter the room, or even outside the room if you want. Some of these products are also weather resistant, allowing you to place them outside your house to welcome wanted visitors or warn off unwanted ones. The drawback is that you'll have to replace the batteries from time to time.
Summary
- Wireless motion detection for your lights
- Automatic switch-on
- Switches off after configurable delay
- Adjustable sensitivity, up to approx. 12–15 ft (4–5 m)
- 360 degrees detection for the screw-in models
- No batteries required for the screw-in models
- Weather-resistant wireless models for outdoor placement.
Tips and Alternatives
- User feedback on the Internet varies: Carefully consider your specific application, and check before buying.
- The description of the second screw-in model explicitly states that it is not suitable for compact fluorescent bulbs!!
- Be aware that the wireless models also require a counterpart to the receiver to switch on the lights.
Other Lighting solutions on Clever & Easy |
|||
Where to buy
You can buy these products from several online stores: Amazon.com, for instance, carry the Smarthome Screw-in model
Categories: home improvement, energy saving, do-it-yourself
