One of the best measures to take for increasing both the safety and the security of a home or business is the installation of motion flood lights. Sensors detect motion beneath or around the light fixtures, bathing a property with light in the late night and early morning hours. Very little deters an intruder more than sudden illumination. Additionally, motion flood lights will also automatically illuminate from the movement of the family car pulling into the driveway at night, lighting the way for a safe walk to the door.
Motion detector flood lights are sold in a variety of configurations and price ranges. The better motion flood lights is equipped with adjustable timers, allowing the lights to stay on for only a limited amount of time after switching on. This auto-off feature is of immense benefit in energy conservation.
Additionally, ease of installation, test features, weather-tightness, and at least three years of warranty protection are all key components of a quality motion floodlight. Also, a manual override wall switch is usually included with motion-detecting flood lighting fixtures. This override capability allows the motion flood lights to remain lit until manually turned off.
Often, a photoelectric cell is included with the motion sensing device in a better-quality motion flood light. This cell will sense sunlight and automatically deactivate the motion flood lights during daylight hours. This is, obviously, an energy-saving feature of motion-detecting floodlights.
As with any mechanical and/or electrical device, a few downsides ought to be considered with motion detector-equipped flood lights. Extraneous motion such as wind rustling nearby tree branches, or animals moving through the range of the sensors will cause the lights to switch on. Occasionally, for the motion detectors to be properly ranged, the detection sensors must focus at least partway into a busy roadway where passing traffic will switch the lights on. A wet or dirty sensor may also cause the lights to unnecessarily illuminate.
One final detail ought to be kept in mind when considering motion flood lights; the best quality motion-detecting lighting fixtures are only as good as the light bulbs used. Purchase quality flood light bulbs for the fixture to reasonably ensure proper operation. Also keep in mind that flood-light bulbs provide diffuse, but not necessarily sufficient light over a wide area. Spot-light bulbs, on the other hand, provide bright, focused light onto specific areas of the property, allowing better sight. Ambient light will not, however, be as widespread. Most motion-detecting flood lights will allow the use of each type of light bulb.
