Archived Thread

NFT: Motion sensor lights and power usage?

bigblue1124 : 3/22/2017 8:32 am

I was hoping some here may shed some light no pun intended on motion sensor lights for outdoors and the usage of power for them? We currently have motion lights throughout the back and side portion of our home for convenience of guests and safety and was curious the amount of power they use when not working, or actually being in use?

With motion sensor you always have to have the power switch placed in the on position in order for them to work, I was wondering if they only consume power when they are actually on or do they use the same power regardless? I am considering my options on whether motion sensor or timer lights would be the most efficient and would appreciate any insight.

Thanks

I would think they don't use power when they light is off

antdog24 : 3/22/2017 8:35 am : link

even though the switch is on. Think of the motion sensor as a switch, it's turning the light off. They make LED flood lights now with motion detection which use a lot less power and are way more efficient. I'm thinking about replacing mine with an LED setup.

it probably draws half a watt

oghwga : 3/22/2017 8:37 am : link

It's a tiny sensor that could run on a d battery. Change the lights to LED and when they're on you'll save ten times the power you're using now to run incandescents.

There's a million worse power vampires in your house than the motion sensors in your lights.

The motion lights, hands down

jcn56 : 3/22/2017 8:46 am : link

they're far more efficient, the draw on those circuits when the lights aren't on is practically nil.

I agree on LED

bigblue1124 : 3/22/2017 9:02 am : link

I converted our entire household too LED last year not cheap by any means but has shown it�s worth the last year in addition the longevity of the lights themselves.

I appreciate the feedback as of now we have all motion sensor with LED lighting so one would guess that is the most efficient way to go or at least that was my mind set.

RE: it probably draws half a watt

Sec 103 : 3/22/2017 11:16 am : link

In comment 13402239 oghwga said:

Quote:

This

Not many if any motion sensitive light fixtures

xman : 3/22/2017 1:30 pm : link

are attractive. They are made for security rather then looks. I am wondering if I should get an attractive fixture and just put it on a timer