{"id":3420,"date":"2015-11-03T21:30:26","date_gmt":"2015-11-04T02:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/?p=3420"},"modified":"2022-02-14T22:02:51","modified_gmt":"2022-02-15T03:02:51","slug":"low-tech-smart-home-using-motion-sensor-outlets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/24-7-home-security.com\/low-tech-smart-home-using-motion-sensor-outlets\/","title":{"rendered":"Low Tech Smart Home: Using Motion Sensor Outlets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Like the idea of lights coming on for you when you enter a dark room?<\/p>\n

Not sold on hubs and apps to make it happen?<\/p>\n

Turns out, you don’t need them anyway! Check out these motion sensor outlets for under $20 and a few ideas to inspire you.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/i>Motion Sensor Outlet Options<\/span><\/h2>

I was scrounging for a cheap way to automate a light when I came across these beauties. I had seen the Belkin kit with a motion sensor and outlet, but these blow it ($80) and smart switches<\/a> out of the water on price.<\/p>\n

Of course, you can’t integrate multiple lights in separate rooms or set up schedules in software to deter burglars (an effective technique according to my research<\/a>). But, they do their one job well and cheaply.<\/p>\n

We’ll get into what that job can be in a quick minute, but first let’s take a look at your options (links take you to Amazon and support our site or your charity, but buy wherever suits you!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Outlet<\/th>\nSensor Location<\/th>\nAvg. Rating<\/th>\nCost<\/th>\nNotes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
SensorPlug Motion Actrivated Outlet<\/a><\/td>\nFixed at plug<\/td>\n4 <\/i><\/td>\n$11<\/td>\n7-500 W, 2-6 min. duration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Westek Plug-In Motion Sensor Outlet<\/a><\/td>\nFixed at plug<\/td>\n3.5 <\/i><\/td>\n$15<\/td>\nMax 10 A, 1-20 min. duration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Summitlink Motion Sensor Outlet<\/a><\/td>\nFixed at plug<\/td>\n4 <\/i><\/td>\n$17<\/td>\nmax 1800 W, 3 min. duration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Westek Corded Motion Activated Outlet<\/a><\/td>\nAttached with 6 ft. cord<\/td>\n3.5 <\/i><\/td>\n$16<\/td>\nMax 1200 W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Carlon Motion Activated Outlet with Remote<\/a><\/td>\nWireless sensor<\/td>\n4 <\/i><\/td>\n$18<\/td>\nAdjustable duration up to 10 min., optional alarm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
TrickleStar Motion Sensor Power Strip<\/a><\/td>\nAttached with 4 ft. cord<\/td>\n4 <\/i><\/td>\n$40<\/td>\nSwitch and always on outlets<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Heath Zenith Wireless Motion Activated Indoor Alert<\/a><\/td>\nWireless<\/td>\n4 <\/i><\/td>\n$40<\/td>\nSpeaker & outlet, adjustable volume, sensitivity, and duration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>

Nice, huh?<\/p>\n

Granted, the two at the bottom are getting a little high, but they still aren’t even close to adding a motion sensor and a smart outlet to your house! And, the extra plugs in the light strip and speaker in the Heath Zenith add to its utility.<\/p>\n

And for things like lighting up a closet when you open the door, $15 for a motion sensor outlet that you can use with a lamp, radio, or whatever you can dream up sounds pretty good.<\/p>\n

Speaking of which, let’s talk about how to use them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Ideas for Your Motion Activated Outlets<\/h2>\n

Motion sensitive outlets to control lights and appliances have definite advantages over something powered full-time:<\/p>\n