If you have seen the movie Predator, then you may remember the scene where Dutch (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) avoids getting captured and killed by the Predator when he accidentally covers himself in mud, which hides the heat from his body. The Predator, using body heat signatures to identify its prey, can't detect Dutch even though looking right at him -- the mud hides his body's heat signature. Well, I haven't tested it (yet?), but the same concepts should apply when trying to avoid detection by a motion sensor light! (if you test this, let me know and I'll post the results!)

In previous articles I have discussed how motion sensor lights work, and how the heat from objects moving across the motion sensing field will trigger a motion sensing light. This article is not meant to give you ideas for sneaking past someone's motion sensor, but instead is to help you better understand how your lights work and possibly help you better place your motion lights to pick up the type of motion you want to trigger your lights. I will plan to set up some testing in my backyard (using my kids - they will love it!) to see how well we can avoid our motion sensing lights--I'll post any results. Here are some suggestions and ideas on avoiding motion sensors (note that these apply to heat-sensing motion detectors like those typically found in motion lights - these do not necessarily apply to sound, beam or other detectors):

Note: Read the instructions that come with your new motion sensor light switch first, and make sure you understand them. Once you have done this, make sure to consult the instructions if you have any problems or questions during your installation. If your instructions give you different steps that found in this article, then make sure to follow the instructions and not this article.

Tools you will need:

circuit tester, screwdriver, wire strippers/cutters, electrical tape

First: Identify the room where you want to install the motion sensor light switch to replace a normal wall light switch. Keep in mind that the motion sensor light switch picks up motion moving across the sensor. Any room with a light switch will work, with most people adding motion sensor switches to garages, closets, pantries, foyers or hallways as their 'first' room. Depending on the sensor switch you have, you will be able to set the amount of time that your light stays on after motion is detected. Activation of the light will take place when someone walks into the room.

There are many ways to add indoor motion sensor lights to the interior of your home -- adding a motion sensor light switch to replace your existing light switch is one way. Another is to add an indoor motion sensing light fixture. In this article, I'd like to introduce you to another, very easy way of adding indoor motion sensing to an existing lamp or light fixture that plugs into a wall outlet (or any other existing electrical appliance that plugs into a wall outlet) -- the Sensorplug Motion Sensing Outlet.

Using the Sensorplug, you will instantly turn any lamp or other electrical appliance into a motion controlled device. This handy little portable device also comes with features that make it very versatile. The Sensorplug includes a built-in photocell, letting you set the device to activate only in darkness (for example, when you want a light to turn on in a room based on motion only when the room is dark and not full of sunlight or other light), or to activate anytime motion is sensed regardless of the ambient light (for example, if you use the device to power a fan or other appliance that you want to activate when motion is sensed, even in daylight).

This indoor/outdoor motion light 3-pack will really give you convenience and great lighting power where you want it. Each light takes 4 AA batteries (not included), which will last over one year with normal usage. Use these lights to add a lighted, safe environment in and around your home.

Battery power means no wiring or professional installation. Use the included double-sided tape or installation screws to conveniently place this light (or simply set the light in a location without the tape or screws for true portable use). Once the detector senses motion, this light will turn on and remain on for 30 seconds after motion has stopped.

This indoor/outdoor battery-powered motion detector light comes with a mounting bracket and screws, allowing you to mount the light virtually anywhere -- closet, pantry, under cabinets, basement, etc.  It's weatherproof, so installing this light outdoors (maybe over a back door exit, or in the garage, or even on the ceiling of a shower) works too.

The sensor works only in the darkness, so the light will not come on during daylight.  Also, the light shuts off automatically when no movement is detected for 30 seconds, making this a great closet or pantry light alternative.  The LEDs are rated to emit 80 lumens of light, giving enough for a small space like a closet, laundry room, etc.

The light uses four C batteries, sold separately, which will provide about a year of typical use.  Click here for more information about this handy light.

This battery-operated, weatherproof outdoor LED motion light provides a convenient way to provide motion detector light convenience, when connecting a wired light is not possible or convenient. This bright LED motion light takes four C-Cell batteries (sold separately), and includes a photocell to give you dawn to dusk operation. The light remains on for 30 seconds after the detector stops sensing motion. The motion detector has a 25 foot range, and the light includes an adjustable head, allowing you to adjust the the light where you need it the most.

This handy light works great on back patios, garages, side of house, stairways, or anywhere you want to provide a lighted, safe and secure environment at night or dark, without the need for an outlet, wiring, or professional installation! Click here for more detailed product and ordering information.

This indoor motion detector wall switch is made for maximum capability, able to handle commercial applications in an office environment.  If you are looking for a longer timed duration, an extended motion detecting range, the highest possible quality and reliability, and higher power handling in a motion detector light switch, then choose this White Leviton Commerical Grade Wall Occupancy Sensor.

• Lets you adjust to turn only on when environment is dark
• Adjustable light-on duration to 10, 20 or 30 minute durations
• 180 degrees, 2,100 sq foot coverage
• Three-wire installation 
  

Manual Push-Button Override Control
This wall sensor features a convenient override push-button switch.  If the lights are off, pressing the button will turn lights on, and then keep the light on for so long as the room remains occupied with motion.  The lights will then be turned off after the room is vacant and motion stops, after the time-delay expires (whether 10, 20 or 30 minutes).  If the lights are on at the time the button is pressed, then the lights will turn off, and remain off even if the room is occupied.  Handy!

Installation of this motion detector light unit is almost as easy as it gets, with no wiring needed!  The BRK Screw-In Motion Sensor will pick up motion within a 12 foot, 360 degree range.  Once installed, this motion sensor will turn your existing light on when motion is detected anywhere within its range, and turn the light off again after 4 minutes of no motion.  This motion detector is ideal for a laundry room or utility room with an existing bare bulb setup!  Simply remove the existing bulb, screw in the motion sensing unit, and screw the bulb into the unit.

The motion sensor will pick up movement, turn the light on, giving you perfect, hands-free convenience.  The 4 minute light-on time means that once you leave the room, you know the light will shut off shortly after you leave.  I can think of many great uses for this light, including a laundry room with an existing bare bulb light setup.  When coming into the laundry room with hands-full of clothes or a laundry basket, having the light turn on automatically when walking into the room, and off automatically after leaving the room, is ideal!  Other easy uses:  garages, basements, attics, walk-in closets and stairways, etc.

This light works with 25W to 100W bulbs, but note that this motion sensor will not work with CFL (compact fluorescent) bulbs.  Also, note that this detector unit should only be used with indoor, ceiling-mounted, bare bulb light sockets.  Normally $29.99, at $24.50 at the time of this article, the BRK Screw-In Motion Sensor provides a good value for the money and the benefits it provides.  Click here for more information and to learn how to purchase.

I want to introduce you to a device that will give you great security features for your home, does not require complicated installation, and costs very little (less than $70 at the time of this article) compared to the safety features it provides. Bear with me for a minute while I explain what this wonderful, innovative, safety device will do for you and your home:

• You place the outdoor motion sensor in an area of your yard that you would like to monitor -- front or back porch area, walkway, outside of garage, etc.
• You then place the indoor unit in your home and plug it into a standard wall outlet. Plug a lamp or other indoor light into this unit. Keep the indoor unit within 100 feet of the location of the outdoor motion sensor.
• When motion is detected from the sensor you have placed in your yard, the light you have plugged into the indoor unit will turn on, and the indoor unit will also emit an audible alarm!
• You can manually override the indoor unit, to control the light directly without the use of the motion detector. Also, the alarm includes a volume control, and you can adjust the amount of time that the light will remain on after outdoor motion is detected.