Disabling motion sensor alarms can be as simple as just removing the battery or turning off a switch. However, other motion sensor alarms need more attention to disable them successfully. In this article, you will learn what a motion sensor alarm is, its purpose, its many types, and how to disable one. Hopefully, with this guide on how to disable a motion sensor alarm, you do not need to seek professional help. Read on.
What is a Motion Sensor Alarm?
A motion sensor alarm, or a motion detector as it is commonly known, is a device that either uses infrared, microwave, optical, or acoustic sensor technology to detect or record motion in your home or office. Its main purpose is to notify you that there is a security threat currently happening in your safe space.
Components of a Motion Sensor Alarm
A motion sensor alarm has three components: the detector, the control panel, and the application software.
Motion Detector
This is the external and most obvious part of the sensor alarm. This component is also the reason why most of us call these devices motion detectors. This part generally looks like a white block with a translucent panel on its surface that contains a passive infrared sensor, which reads IR radiation in the area in real-time
Electronic Control Panel
This is usually a panel integrated into the device that can control various sensors and interprets the IR radiation signals to data that you can use.
Mobile or Desktop App or Software
This component displays all the data collected by the motion detector and translates it for easy reading. It is usually an online platform or a cloud-based system.
Knowing these very components will surely help you understand quicker the device and make how to disable a motion sensor alarm easier for you.
Purpose of Motion Sensor Alarm
As mentioned, the main purpose of a motion sensor alarm is to sense intruders and send you an alert in the control panel. Motion sensor alarms are very helpful to stand guard when various movements, like opening or closing of doors or windows, or even breaking a window, happen when you are not at home or in the office. Of course, motion sensor alarms have other purposes as well, such as:
- It alerts you when your kids break curfew or are in restricted spaces.
- It alerts you of visitors by triggering the doorbell.
- It allows you to save more energy by automatically turning off lights when it senses no movements in an area.
- It notifies you if your pets are in places around the house they should not be in.
Types of Motion Sensor Alarms
Before answering the question: “How to disable a motion sensor alarm,” you should know the different types of motion sensor alarms that home and workspace security systems commonly use:
Passive Infrared Motion (PIR) Sensor
This motion sensor detects body heat. This motion detector is the most common type of motion sensor alarm used in home security systems. When activated, it senses heat and movement in the area called a grid zone. If a moving body blocks multiple grid zones and the IR energy levels spike up, the alarm sets off.
Microwave Motion Sensor
This motion sensor releases microwave pulses to measure the reflection of moving objects. This sensor covers a larger area compared to the PIR. However, they are prone to electrical interference. They are also more expensive.
Dual-Technology Motion Sensor
This combines both PIR and microwave motion sensor technology. What is great about this is it prevents false alarms from happening.
How to Disable Motion Sensor Alarms
Now that we have tackled the basic things you need to know about motion detectors, it is time to know how to disable a motion sensor alarm. Here is the step-by-step guide:
- Prepare all materials and tools needed, such as a screwdriver, paper bag, and old newspapers. If the motion detector is installed high on the wall, use a ladder after arranging the newspapers around to help gather pieces of the detector or wall fall or chip off.
- Turn off the motion detector. You can either do this by removing the batteries or just turning the switch off.
- If you are using a PIR, disconnect the red, yellow, and black wires from the control panel.
- Using your screwdriver, unmount the device from the wall.
- Place the unmounted device and the other parts inside the paper bag and set them aside.
Conclusion
Now you know how to disable a motion sensor alarm. All that is left to do is apply the things you have learned to replace or fix your motion detector. Keep in mind that a motion sensor alarm has three main components and that it has various types.
Remember as well that it has many purposes, not only for detecting burglars or thieves. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the guide to make a perfect disabling of your motion detector. If disabling it is going to be complicated, the last resort you can do is hire a professional. Here’s how to learn more about Motion Sensor Alarms.