Security lights and motion sensors often go hand-in-hand, but you’ll find both styles in other configurations as well. It is important to understand the differences so you know which is best for your needs. Here’s a look at some of the most common features for motion sensors and security lights.

The goal of security lights is to brighten your property at night and deter potential thieves. Within this category, you’ll have several different options.

Security lights without motion-detection capabilities will typically remain on constantly. This way, your property will be illuminated throughout the night, keeping potential thieves away.

Depending on the variety you choose, you may be able to set the lights on a timer so that they are only on at night. With this configuration, your lights will still come on even if you don’t activate them manually. This is great for protecting your home while you are out of town, as it will make it seem like someone is still home.

Some variations also detect light, only coming on from dusk until dawn. These lights will remain off during the day and come on when the amount of ambient light drops below a specific level. When the sun comes back up in the morning, the lights will turn off. With this type of security light, you won’t need to adjust the timer as sunrise and sunset times shift throughout the seasons.

Motion sensor lights only come on when something moves and triggers the device. The idea behind this is that the sudden bright light will scare off burglars before they have a chance to break into your home or business. If there is no movement detected, these lights will stay off, keeping your property dark and helping to conserve electricity.

Many modern security lights, like those from Ring, also include video cameras. These cameras can be motion-sensitive, or they may operate constantly. Be sure to check which type you are buying so you know what to expect in terms of capabilities. Some cameras only maintain video footage for a limited time, while others store all historical data. If you need to provide video footage to police, it is important to know how long you have before the footage is deleted.

While motion sensors are common for security lights, that is not their only use. You’ll also find motion sensors for other types of outdoor lighting, as well as indoor lighting. In either case, the purpose of adding motion sensors is to minimize wasted electricity. If the sensor doesn’t detect any motion for a specified period of time, it will turn the lights off automatically. This way, you won’t accidentally leave the lights on in or outside your home when you leave to go to work or on vacation.

If you are looking to protect your Phoenix home or business with security lighting and motion sensors, 24/7 Local Electrician is here to help. We’ll get your property set up so that it will be as safe as possible. Our experienced team members will install any necessary wiring for the lights as well, and they’ll also test everything to ensure it is working properly.

We invite you to reach out to us at any time if you have questions about lighting and other electrical concerns. We’re always happy to provide our clients with more information. Get in touch with us today to schedule a service appointment to discuss your needs.