Most people have experienced PIRs (passive Infrared) which can lead to issues with accepting the refinned settings of Microwave Sensors.
Let me explain, most of us are accustomed to PIR sensor Flood Lights. Most of us understand that they seldom switch on when you want them to, forcing us to wave our arms or jump up and down to get them to react. Often you’ll walk right past them before they react and turn the light on.
What needs to be understood is that PIR’s operate in narrow beams, The gaps between the beams get wider the further away you are. Infrared breams are invisible to the naked eye so it’s impossible to know where the beams are. That’s why the light will only react when you break the beam to activate and switch the lights on.
With Microwave Sensors they scan an area up to 15m diameter. This is basically an Ultra Low powered Radar scanner (about a 5000th of your Mobile Phone)
They pick up really small movements; just a small hand movement is enough to switch the light on. As soon as you step into the zone the light comes on just as you’ll see in our Video link at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODlObUKcEPk
For Corridor or Warehouse lighting a 10 second hold time is sufficient as this is timed from the last movement. With both these types of lighting they are designed to dim for around 1 minute before switching off, so you’re never left in the dark as long as you are moving.
Once this is understood, Staff can be confident walking towards an unlit area with the knowledge that the sensor will see them switching lights in their path and switching off automatically after they leave.
For areas where there is less movement, packing or desk work lights can be set with a longer Hold time of between 1 to 30 minutes. Once the area is vacated then lights will automatically dim before switching off a minuet later.