How Does It Work?
Sensor lighting or motion detectors work by using small electronic eyes that will detect infrared waves. Heat waves that radiate from moving objects will set the motion sensor off which makes the light come on. The light will then remain on from one to twenty minutes based on a timer. Motion detectors can detect movement at specific ranges and can include as much as 70 feet or more. Such lights come in particularly handy when you arrive back home to see as you walk to the front door or to alert you if there is movement outside of your home. While many times movement may be the leaves or a pet, it is best to have such lighting so criminals are deterred from approaching your property.
Types of Lighting
There are many styles of sensor lighting that can be installed in the home but the most common are Flood, Decorative and Remote. With Flood lighting, you have the larger bulbs that are placed usually on a garage or on the side of the home. This lighting is very bright and can help you see easily during the nighttime hours. Decorative lighting is more for looks and will be installed in a standing lamp post or hanging light fixtures on the garage or porch of the home. Remote lighting is another option that has a small remote sensor that helps the lighting to function as needed.
With Flood lighting, you have the most durable option for the home. Flood lighting kits are created to be durable and to withstand the elements as this type is commonly not covered but out in the open. Decorative and remote lighting options are not as durable but will be installed in an area of the home that will be covered, such as a porch area, so the light will be protected.
When installing any type of sensor lighting, be sure to read up on the lighting type and how it can be affected by the elements common in your area. Wind, snow, rain, etc. can all affect the lighting and the unit must be of a high quality and use durable material to ensure that the motion sensor will work and you get the most out of your investment.
Consult with lighting experts to find out how your home can benefit from sensor lighting. Have your home evaluated to determine which areas would be of benefit and have such lighting systems installed for the safety and security of your home.
Which reflects the amount of light produced by the source divided by the power required to operate it. Some LEDs and HID sources, such as high pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide (MH) appear very efficient (e.g., 100 lumens/watt or higher) when one focuses solely on source efficiency. However, source efficiency does not accurately reflect how much light is actually delivered from the light source to the target area, such as a street or a parking lot.
System efficiency is measured with the lamp installed in a luminaire. It is based on how many lumens actually reach the target area, not simply how many lumens are emitted from the lamp. System efficiency is always lower than source efficiency due to four primary sources of light and power loss when a lamp is installed in a luminaire:
• Trapped Light – Traditional light bulbs, which emit light in all directions, require reflectors inside the luminaires to “bounce” as much light as possible away from the lamp and fixture components to the target area. However, not all light can be effectively redirected. Typically, 40% or more of the light emitted from the lamp is trapped within the luminaire and does not reach the target area.
• Protective Covers and Lenses – Luminaires almost always use some sort of secondary optics (such as tempered glass or acrylic) to help focus or redirect light, and to protect the lamps or LEDs from the environment. These materials do not allow light to pass with 100% efficiency, so system efficiency is reduced.
• Operating Temperature – Many light sources become less effective as operating temperatures change. Because source efficiency is measured at a standard 25°C (or about 77°F), the actual operating efficiency under a range of outdoor temperatures may be significantly different. For example, LED lumen output in a typical operating environment where LED junction temperature (TJ ) is very high (e.g., TJ = 75°C) can be 10-15% lower than lumen levels published by LED manufacturers, which are typically measured at TJ = 25°C.
• Power Supplies – Most light sources require a ballast or driver to convert line power into a form which can be used by the lamp. These losses can vary from 5-25%, depending on the power supply used. This also results in lower system efficiency.
When considering all of the factors that affect system efficiency, LEDs provide a clear advantage over HID lamps. Below is a summary comparison:
• HID lamp: Source efficiency is typically 120 lumens/watt or higher. However, losses from trapped light, protective covers and lenses, inefficient ballasts and unfavorable operating temperature typically result in a measured system efficiency of 30 lumens/watt or less.
• LEDs: Source efficiency can be 100 lumens/watt or higher, depending on the type and manufacturer of the LED used. There are no losses from trapped light due to the focused output of the LED, and secondary optics and protective covers generally reduce output by only 25% or less. LED power drivers are also more generally efficient than HID ballasts, and reduce system efficiency by 10-15%. However, even when efficiency reductions due to high operating temperatures are included, LED system efficiency often remains above 50 lumens/watt or higher.
Incandescent and halogen lighting tends to warm up reds and yellows because the wavelengths of these artificial lights are warm. So, if a client has incandescent light fixtures in a room where they want blue walls, you'll have to make color adjustments
when it comes to picking the paint, such as selecting a blue hue that has been toned with red.
The type of light fixture can also affect the coloration in a room, because the fixture typically determines how the light from any type of bulb is dispersed.
• Sconces: These fixtures give off indirect lighting by aiming the light toward ceilings or walls.
• Shades: Lampshades will change the coloration and strength of the bulb inside them. If the lampshade is of a warm hue, it will cast this glow onto the other colors in the room. Strongly colored shades will mute any surrounding colors, while white or ivory shades will give off the brightest light.
• Parabolic lights or downlights: They direct light straight down from the ceiling. This provides a lot of light on work surfaces and floors, but can cause ceilings and the top edges of walls to appear dark in comparison.
To create a crisp, airy atmosphere that will show off bright colors to best effect, consider using bright-white light bulbs, or some of the new fluorescents or halogens. For a warmer, cozier look that works well with darker colors and rich textures, go with light-pink bulbs, or even amber-colored accent lights in sconces.
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