Collection: Motion Sensor Light Switches

A motion sensor light switch is an automated wall switch that detects movement in a room to turn lights on and off, providing hands-free convenience and significant energy savings. By ensuring lights are only on when a space is occupied, these intelligent controls eliminate the wasted energy from lights being accidentally left on in empty rooms. They are a smart, practical upgrade for any home or commercial building.

Occupancy vs. Vacancy Sensors: A Key Difference

While both sensor types automate when your lights turn off, how they turn on is a critical distinction that affects their use and energy savings.

• Occupancy Sensors (Auto-On / Auto-Off): This is a fully automated control. The sensor automatically turns the lights ON when you enter a room and automatically turns them OFF after it no longer detects motion for a preset period.
  • Best For: High-traffic, transitional spaces where hands-free convenience is most valued. Think of laundry rooms, closets, pantries, garages, and storage areas.
• Vacancy Sensors (Manual-On / Auto-Off): This is a semi-automated control. You must manually turn the lights ON when you enter a room, but the sensor will automatically turn them OFF after a period of inactivity.
  • Best For: Rooms where you don't always want the lights to turn on with every entry, such as bedrooms (to avoid waking a partner at night), media rooms, and home offices. Vacancy sensors are often preferred for meeting modern energy codes like California's Title 24, as they prevent unnecessary activation.

Understanding Sensor Technologies

The "eyes" of the switch use different technologies to detect movement. Choosing the right one depends on the room's size and use.

1. PIR (Passive Infrared) Sensors: This is the most common sensor type. It works by detecting the heat signature of a person moving across its field of view. PIR sensors are excellent for detecting major body movements and are less likely to be falsely triggered by inanimate objects. They require a clear line of sight to the person.
2. Ultrasonic Sensors: This technology emits high-frequency sound waves (inaudible to humans) and detects motion by sensing a change in the reflected waves. Because sound waves can fill a space and bounce off surfaces, ultrasonic sensors are great at detecting fine motor movements (like typing at a desk) and can even "see" around small obstructions or partitions.
3. Dual Technology Sensors: The most reliable option, this type combines both PIR and Ultrasonic sensors into a single unit. To turn the lights on, it typically requires both sensors to detect motion, which virtually eliminates false activations. To keep the lights on, it only needs to continue sensing motion with one of the technologies. This makes it the ideal choice for classrooms, conference rooms, and large, complex spaces.

Mounting Options for Any Space

Motion sensors come in several form factors to provide optimal coverage for any type of room or application.

• Wall Switch Sensors: This is the most common all-in-one solution for residential and small office applications. The sensor and the switching relay are combined into a single device that installs easily into a standard wall box, replacing a traditional light switch.
• Ceiling & Wall Mount Sensors: Often called remote sensors, these are standalone sensor "heads" that are installed on a ceiling for 360° coverage or high on a wall to overlook a large area. They are wired to a separate "power pack" that controls the lighting circuit. This setup is ideal for open offices, warehouses, long hallways, and irregularly shaped rooms where a single wall switch wouldn't be effective.
• Fixture Mount Sensors: These are compact, specialized sensors designed to be integrated directly onto or into an individual light fixture. This provides localized, one-to-one control and is commonly used on high bay fixtures in warehouses, outdoor wall packs, and utility strip lights.

Smart Control for Efficient Spaces

A motion sensor switch is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your electricity consumption. It's a simple, set-it-and-forget-it solution that provides hands-free convenience while ensuring you never pay for lighting an empty room again. From simple occupancy sensors for your closet to advanced dual-technology switches for your office, find the perfect motion sensor at Bees Lighting.