Role of Infrared Energy in Motion Detectors

Though there are ultrasonic sound waves, vibration and radio energy used in motion detectors to identify motion, Infrared energy is the best of energy used in motion detection. Infrared has been one of the basic technologies in motion detection which still has been used widely and is among the commonest of all other energies used in motion detectors.

The role of infrared in motion detectors may mean the benefits of using infrared in motion detectors, the way they function and also their limitations when compared to other forms of energy used in motion detectors. When we already know that almost all the objects emit infrared radiation and non-glowing objects and human beings emit infrared radiation of a certain range – from 9 micrometers to 10 micrometers considering a body temperature of 93 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The infrared radiation emitted might then be within 8 to 14 micrometers.

Benefits of Infrared Energy Motion Detectors

Infrared energy may be the most simplest and earliest form of energy used in motion detectors. Infrared energy enables simple technologies to be devised in motion detectors. Active Beam Motion Detectors send a mere beam of infrared rays across on to a photo sensor or light receiver.

This is the most simplest and cheapest form of technology in motion detecting. Passive Motion Detectors depend solely on the receiving of infrared light from sources such as human beings. The benefit of infrared energy is mostly the simplicity of the technology. And Passive Detectors are said to consume less electricity and are more efficient in working.

Along with this, they have a wide area of coverage due to the presence of lenses like the Fresnel Lenses and other lenses which widen the area of coverage. This can be possible easily with infrared, as infrared being a form of light can be bent by the lenses which makes the area of coverage wider.

Infrared Radiation – Functions

The ways in which infrared radiation functions in your motion detector have been widely mentioned and written about. Simpler technology of this sort functions in either being emitted or received. Emission of it through a straight line from a source machine to the receiver, when subjected to temporary obstruction can perform actions such as raising alarms or tuning on lights.

Other infrared motion detectors remain passive (PIR) and start to act only when they receive infrared radiation in prescribed and predetermined frequencies and wavelengths

Limitations of Infrared Energy

The very first limitation is that Infrared Radiation turns translucence into opacity. You cannot place your infrared motion detectors inside your windows and still monitor the outside of your house. The infrared cannot pass through the window glass panels.

But the lights definitely pass through heating up the environment inside the windows which forms opacity to the infrared radiation emanating from the outside. Alarms cannot go off due to the non-reception of infrared by the sensors.

Another limitation is that motion detectors seek to ensure frequent changes in the frequency or wavelength of infrared energy received. This is done in order to ensure that the object is mobile. Infrared Motion Detectors may have nothing to do with someone standing glued to a place.

They do not raise alarms under such conditions. They seek change caused by movement or motion and do not respond to someone standing, irrespective of whether the stable object is a human being or not!