We would like to install a few stairway spotlights and are wondering about the best way to control them. Should they be switched manually with two-way switches at the top and bottom of the stairs, or with motion sensors or presence detectors?
With our floor plan, it wouldn’t be a problem to install three separate light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs (one for the main light upstairs, one for the stair spotlights, and one for the light downstairs—all wired as two-way switches), but is that practical? Or would it be better to control the stairway spotlights with motion or presence sensors?
With our floor plan, it wouldn’t be a problem to install three separate light switches at both the top and bottom of the stairs (one for the main light upstairs, one for the stair spotlights, and one for the light downstairs—all wired as two-way switches), but is that practical? Or would it be better to control the stairway spotlights with motion or presence sensors?
Wall-mounted motion sensors/PIRs can be installed at various heights—they don’t have to be located right at the step. Any position above 50 cm (20 inches) will practically not detect pets.
The lens should then be partially covered on the side facing the stairs to prevent pets from entering the detection zone from the other side.
There are also motion sensors/PIRs with pet immunity available.
Alternatively, the sensors can be installed upside down so that they "look" upwards. Visually, there is no difference, but technically the function is completely different. In this setup, pets will also no longer be detected.
The lens should then be partially covered on the side facing the stairs to prevent pets from entering the detection zone from the other side.
There are also motion sensors/PIRs with pet immunity available.
Alternatively, the sensors can be installed upside down so that they "look" upwards. Visually, there is no difference, but technically the function is completely different. In this setup, pets will also no longer be detected.
S
Sebastian7926 Aug 2016 09:17In our case, the sensor is positioned quite high above the landing so that it can detect someone using the stairs both from above and below.
Creepy (IMHO) all these home automation systems, ops:
You walk across the hallway/stairs lightly dressed and suddenly the lights turn on.
In my opinion, lighting in a house should be "manually controlled"; anything else feels sterile.
Better install energy-saving bulbs, which can at least burn longer in case you forget to switch them off!
You walk across the hallway/stairs lightly dressed and suddenly the lights turn on.
In my opinion, lighting in a house should be "manually controlled"; anything else feels sterile.
Better install energy-saving bulbs, which can at least burn longer in case you forget to switch them off!
S
Sebastian7926 Aug 2016 09:46Yes, it’s also annoying when the step lighting turns on...
But I didn’t want an automatic stairway light either – only in the upstairs hallway it turns on dimmed, and in the basement hallway at full brightness.
But I didn’t want an automatic stairway light either – only in the upstairs hallway it turns on dimmed, and in the basement hallway at full brightness.
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toxicmolotof26 Aug 2016 09:49That's right, everything exists... but you have to at least remember and take it into account.
I actually find this to be the opposite of creepy. It makes things so much easier, for example, coming home in the evening and not having to look for light switches to turn lights on or off. Instead, you just walk in, take off your shoes, and relax... the lights turn off by themselves in the meantime.
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