Standalone PIR Motion Sensors for Outdoor Lights UK
Add security and convenience to your existing outdoor lights with standalone PIR sensors. No need to replace perfectly good fixtures—just add smart motion detection.
🛒 Shop PIR Motion Sensors
Available in black, white, and grey | Corner or flat mounting | Compatible with all our lights
Why Standalone PIR Sensors Make Sense
You’ve invested in quality UK-made outdoor lights—fisherman’s wall lights, barn lights, or harbour fixtures that will last decades. Why replace them when you just need motion detection added?
Standalone PIR (Passive Infrared) sensors offer a smarter, more economical approach than buying entirely new lights with built-in sensors. Here’s why:
The Problem with Built-In PIR Lights
When the PIR fails (and they do after 3-5 years):
- ❌ You must replace the entire light fixture
- ❌ Wastes a perfectly functioning light
- ❌ Costs £60-£150+ for new fixture vs £15-£30 for replacement sensor
- ❌ Creates unnecessary landfill waste
- ❌ Requires electrician to install new fixture
The Standalone Sensor Advantage
With a standalone PIR sensor:
- ✅ Keep your quality UK-made lights working for decades
- ✅ Replace only the £15-£30 sensor when it eventually fails
- ✅ Simple DIY replacement (just unscrew old, fit new)
- ✅ Add motion detection to any existing outdoor light
- ✅ Environmentally responsible—nothing wasted
- ✅ All our sensors come with guarantee
How PIR Motion Sensors Work (Simple Explanation)
PIR stands for Passive Infrared. In plain English: the sensor detects movement.
Here’s how it works in practice:
- Detection: When anyone or anything moves within range, the sensor detects the movement
- Activation: The sensor triggers your outdoor light to turn on
- Duration: Light stays on for your chosen time (typically 10 seconds to 10 minutes)
- Auto-Off: Light switches off automatically when the timer expires
Key benefits for your home:
- Security: Lights activate when someone approaches your property—deters intruders and welcomes legitimate visitors
- Convenience: No fumbling for switches when carrying shopping or arriving home in darkness
- Energy Saving: Lights only on when needed—reduces electricity costs by 60-80% compared to dusk-to-dawn operation
- Extended Bulb Life: Less operating time means LED bulbs last even longer
Our recommendation:
Any outdoor light can be supplied with a standalone PIR motion sensor. This gives you the security and convenience of motion-activated lighting without the long-term risk of having to replace expensive fixtures when sensors inevitably wear out.
Our PIR Sensor Range
We supply standalone PIR motion sensors designed to work perfectly with all our UK-made outdoor lights—fisherman’s wall lights, barn lights, harbour lights, and Burford fixtures.
Available Options
Mounting Types:
- Flat Wall Mount: Standard mounting for flat wall surfaces—suits most installations
- Corner Mount: Specifically designed for corner positions where walls meet at 90 degrees—provides optimal coverage for corner locations
Colour Finishes:
- Black: Matches matt black lights, modern aesthetics, blends into shadows
- White: Coordinates with chalk white or cream lights, traditional properties
- Grey: Versatile neutral, suits slate grey lights and mixed colour schemes
Technical Specifications
- Detection Range: Typically 5-12 metres (adjustable on most models)
- Detection Angle: 180-240 degrees coverage
- Timer Duration: Adjustable from 10 seconds to 10 minutes
- Daylight Sensor: Prevents activation during daylight hours (adjustable)
- Sensitivity Control: Adjustable to reduce false triggers from pets or passing cars
- Weatherproof Rating: IP44 minimum (suitable for outdoor use)
Which Lights Work with PIR Sensors?
Short answer: All of them!
Standalone PIR sensors can be added to virtually any outdoor light fixture, as they are connected to the circuit not the fitting. This means your sensor can trigger more than 1 light to come on. Here’s how they work with our most popular lights:
Perfect for Fisherman’s Wall Lights
Our fisherman’s wall lights (standard 26cm and large 32cm) work beautifully with PIR sensors. Mount the sensor nearby on the wall—when someone approaches your entrance, the authentic maritime light illuminates automatically.
Typical setup: Pair of fisherman’s lights flanking front door + one PIR sensor positioned to detect approach path = automatic welcome lighting with heritage character.
Ideal for Barn & Burford Lights
Add motion detection to your barn or Burford wall lights. Perfect for garage entrances, stable blocks, and outbuilding doors where you want automatic activation without leaving lights on all evening.
Popular application: Barn lights on garage + PIR sensor = lights activate when you arrive home, stay on while you park, then switch off automatically.
Works with Harbour & Quayside Lights
Our larger harbour and quayside lights benefit from PIR control in pathways, garden walls, and boundary lighting where continuous operation would be wasteful.
Installation Guide
⚠️ Important: Electrical Safety
PIR sensors require connection to mains electrical supply. Installation must be carried out by a qualified electrician to ensure safety and compliance with UK electrical regulations (Part P Building Regulations). Do not attempt DIY installation unless you are competent and qualified to work with mains electricity.
How Your Electrician Will Install It
Basic Installation Process:
- Position Selection: Sensor mounted where it can detect approach to your entrance or pathway (typically 2-2.5m height)
- Wiring: Sensor connects into your existing outdoor lighting circuit—it switches the power to your lights on/off based on motion detection
- Adjustment: Set detection range, timer duration, and daylight sensitivity to suit your needs
- Testing: Verify sensor triggers lights correctly and timer functions as desired
Optimal Positioning
For best performance, position PIR sensors:
- Height: 2-2.5m above ground for optimal detection (head-height coverage)
- Angle: Facing the expected approach direction (not directly at walls or fences)
- Coverage: Where detection zone covers pathways, driveways, or entrance areas
- Avoid: Direct sunlight, heat sources (boilers, vents), or positions where passing traffic triggers false alarms
Corner vs Flat Mount: Which Do You Need?
Flat Wall Mount (Most Common):
- Suitable for standard flat wall installations
- Mount beside doorways, on garage walls, along pathways
- Detection zone fans out in front of sensor (180-240 degrees typically)
Corner Mount (Specialized):
- Designed specifically for corner positions (where two walls meet at 90 degrees)
- Provides optimal coverage from corner locations
- Ideal when building corners are the best strategic position for detection
Adjusting Your PIR Sensor Settings
Most PIR sensors include three adjustment controls (small dials or screws on the unit):
1. Timer Duration (TIME)
What it does: Controls how long lights stay on after detecting motion
Typical range: 10 seconds to 10 minutes
Recommended settings:
- Front doors: 1-2 minutes (long enough to unlock door and enter)
- Driveways/garages: 2-3 minutes (time to park and exit vehicle)
- Pathways: 30 seconds to 1 minute (brief passage time)
- Garden areas: 3-5 minutes if you’ll be working in the area
2. Daylight Sensitivity (LUX)
What it does: Determines how dark it must be before sensor will activate lights
Settings:
- Maximum (sun symbol): Sensor active 24/7 (lights can trigger in daylight)
- Minimum (moon symbol): Only active in near-darkness
- Mid-range: Active at dusk/dawn and nighttime
Recommended: Start at mid-range, adjust if lights trigger too early/late in evening
3. Sensitivity (SENS)
What it does: Adjusts how easily motion triggers the sensor
Common issues & solutions:
- Pets triggering lights: Reduce sensitivity until only larger objects (humans) trigger activation
- Passing cars activating sensor: Reduce sensitivity or adjust sensor angle away from road
- Sensor not detecting reliably: Increase sensitivity
- Wind-blown vegetation: Reduce sensitivity or reposition sensor
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Lights Not Activating
Check:
- Is it dark enough? (Daylight sensor may be preventing activation)
- Are you within detection range? (5-12m typical maximum)
- Is sensor aimed correctly? (Should face approach direction)
- Clean sensor lens (dust/spider webs can block detection)
Frequent False Alarms
Solutions:
- Reduce sensitivity setting
- Adjust sensor angle away from heat sources (heating vents, boilers)
- Trim vegetation that moves in wind within detection zone
- Reposition sensor away from passing traffic if cars are triggering it
Lights Stay On Too Long/Short
Simple fix: Adjust timer duration dial to your preference
Sensor Activating in Daylight
Solution: Adjust daylight sensitivity (LUX) dial toward moon symbol (darker activation threshold)
Maintenance & Care
PIR sensors are low-maintenance but benefit from occasional attention:
Quarterly Cleaning
- Wipe sensor lens with soft, dry cloth
- Remove cobwebs and debris from sensor housing
- Check mounting remains secure
Annual Check
- Verify all adjustment dials haven’t been moved accidentally
- Test detection range and timer function
- Inspect for weather damage or corrosion (rare but check)
Typical Lifespan
Quality PIR sensors typically last 5-10 years before requiring replacement. When the time comes, simply purchase a new unit (£15-£30) rather than replacing your entire lighting fixture (£60-£150+).
Energy & Cost Savings
PIR motion sensors dramatically reduce outdoor lighting costs:
Comparison: PIR vs Dusk-to-Dawn Lighting
Dusk-to-Dawn (Lights on all evening):
- Winter: 14 hours nightly operation
- Annual operating time: ~4,500 hours
- Using 9W LED: £18-21 annually per light
PIR Motion Sensor (Lights on when needed):
- Typical activation: 30-60 minutes total daily
- Annual operating time: ~200-400 hours
- Using 9W LED: £1.50-3 annually per light
Annual saving per light: £15-18
For pair of entrance lights: £30-36 saved annually
Additional benefits:
- Extended LED bulb life (less operating time = bulbs last longer)
- Reduced environmental impact from lower electricity consumption
- Better security (movement-triggered lights more effective than static always-on lighting)
Ready to Add Motion Detection?
Transform your existing outdoor lights into smart security lighting with our standalone PIR sensors. Available in black, white, and grey finishes with both corner and flat mounting options.
What you’ll need:
- PIR motion sensor in your chosen finish
- Qualified electrician for installation
- 5-10 minutes for adjustment once installed
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