Motion detection switches

[rdjohn]

I have an apartment with an “L” shaped corridor with no windows and which currently has a 2-way switch and dimmer switch to operate the lights from either end. The corridor serves main door entry to bedroom, bathroom and lounge, dining and kitchen arrangement.

Is it possible to simply replace both those switches with motion detection switches?

If yes, then what are the pitfalls to look out for?

Thanks

[SV_WDC]

Would recommend looking on YouTube for the suggestions & options.

Have been thinking about this myself using an LED light strip, nestled behind some wood/trunking. I think for PIR you need to consider the field of view - if they are at the height of a normal lightswitch there are astethic considerations and also it may throw some false positives. Watching YouTube, the main suggestions are to put these at shin or knee height

[clockworks]

I've got motion sensors in two hallways and the upstairs landing, coupled with smart lightbulbs.

I tried Shelly, Switchbot, and Tapo sensors. Shelly and Switchbot took several seconds to switch on, Tapo works instantly.

The Tapo sensors are battery-powered, and sit above the doorframe. They pair with a Tapo plug-in hub.
The hub connects to WiFi, and controls the Tapo smart lightbulbs.

I've got sensors at each end of the hallways, might need 3 sensors for an L-shaped hallway.

You can set the sensitivity, delay, etc. in the Tapo app.

No problems at all, once set up correctly.

[Grey_Area]

I use these sensors. AliExpress: Body PIR Sensor Radar Detector Motion Sensors
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EzH0loo
And have them activate smart light switches.

[rdjohn]

clockworks said:

I've got motion sensors in two hallways and the upstairs landing, coupled with smart lightbulbs.

I tried Shelly, Switchbot, and Tapo sensors. Shelly and Switchbot took several seconds to switch on, Tapo works instantly.

The Tapo sensors are battery-powered, and sit above the doorframe. They pair with a Tapo plug-in hub.
The hub connects to WiFi, and controls the Tapo smart lightbulbs.

I've got sensors at each end of the hallways, might need 3 sensors for an L-shaped hallway.

You can set the sensitivity, delay, etc. in the Tapo app.

No problems at all, once set up correctly.

Thanks for your thought. The corridor is not long on either length.

Are you saying you can simply replace the 2-way switches with the motion detectors? If you do not use the switch-wire then one detector is saying ON while the one round the corner is saying OFF.

It is how they can be wired to achieve the same action as the 2-way switches that I cannot get my head around. Is there a manufacturer that intentionally allows this function?

Mine is just one circuit with 4 GU10 lamps along its length and 2-way switches at either end.

[QJumper]

If you just want motion sensor switches, then I have one of these in my kitchen, and it works flawlessly.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sensky-Occupancy-Technolo...

If you want more tweaking then you're probably better off with a wifi enabled switch and separate sensors. Amazon has a large range of switches, and I find aiiexpress to be good for sensors.

The advantage with Amazon is that you can try stuff out and send it back if it doesn't work as you want.

[clockworks]

rdjohn said:

Thanks for your thought. The corridor is not long on either length.

Are you saying you can simply replace the 2-way switches with the motion detectors? If you do not use the switch-wire then one detector is saying ON while the one round the corner is saying OFF.

It is how they can be wired to achieve the same action as the 2-way switches that I cannot get my head around. Is there a manufacturer that intentionally allows this function?

Mine is just one circuit with 4 GU10 lamps along its length and 2-way switches at either end.

Nothing needs to be wired in place, you keep the existing switches, just replace all the lightbulbs with smart bulbs.

You leave the lights switched on all the time, and they switch on and off controlled by the Tapo app and sensors.

The sensors are battery-powered, and can be stuck to the wall, or placed on a shelf, etc. Mine just sit on the architrave above the doors.

The Tapo app can combine several sensors and lightbulbs into a group, so that triggering ANY sensor turns on ALL the lights.
In my inner hallway, I've got two 2-way switches, 2 lights, and 2 sensors (one sensors at each end). 6 doors.
As soon as I enter the hallway, one of the sensors "sees" me, and both lights turn on for a set period of time - 30 seconds in my case.

Works great for me, as the switches are at either end of the hallway. Coming out of the bedrooms or bathroom, I had to find the switches at the ends of the hallway in the dark, or leave the light on in the room.
With the sensors, the lights just turn on automatically.

[rdjohn]

I think that I have found the answer that I was looking for.



I only need two detectors. But how do I use the switch-wire?