MOTION DETECTOR ACTIVATED LIGHT

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Motion Detector Activated Light

How to Make and Use a Motion Detector Activated Light:

COOKBOOK

Concept Overview
Wiring/Block Diagram
Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions
Project Ideas

Overview Images:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Setup Requirements:

Tools:
Screwdriver

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Hardware/Components:
PIR sensor

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MOTION DETECTOR ACTIVATED LIGHT

Heat Gun (Blowdryer)

Soldering Iron
Solder
Wire Strippers
22 AWG (or similar) wire

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Light (halogen or other)

PolyBlock
Power Supply
0.1 uF ceramic capacitor

Concept Overview
A light that turns on only when somebody is nearby can save energy, can save you the hassle of searching for a lightswitch in
the dark, or can also alert you to the presence of an unwanted visitor. A PIR sensor is an infrared motion detector and it is
easily connected to a PolyBlock which, in Timer Mode, can turn a light on automatically for a specified period of time when
somebody is within range.
The PIR sensor works by comparing the outputs of its two internal infrared sensors. With no motion within the sensor's range,
these two internal sensors settle to an "off value". When a person (or other large infrared-producing body) comes within range,
the values the two infrared sensors record changes from the off value, and the PIR interprets this as motion. The PIR sensor
outputs a logical "1" or 5V on its output for a second or two after the motion stops. This is a weak digital signal so by itself it
couldn't run a light (or anything, really bigger than a small LED) . We could connect it to a Switch Block, and thence to a large
lamp, but this wouldn't help much either, since the PIR signal is only on for a few seconds after it detects movement. We'd like
our light to be on for much longer.
What we need is something to stretch out the signal from the PIR sensor, so what we can do is connect the output of the PIR
sensor to a Poly Block running the Timer function. The Timer function on the Poly Block works as follows: when a signal
triggers it, the O0 output is turned on for a time period specified by the Poly Block's "Timer Duration" reference voltage. With the
trimpot jumper attached, this voltage can be determined by the trimpot. This means that by adjusting the trimpot, the timer can
be set to run for longer or shorter periods.
There are several ways to trigger the Timer. The "Trigger" (I0) input, starts the timer when the input goes from off (0V) to on
(5V). The timer runs for this period and then turns off. While this might seem perfect, it is not quite right for this application. The
reason is that we actually want the output to go on when someone is detected in the room (which would happen using the
Trigger input), but we don't want the timer to start until the movement stops, otherwise the timer period might end while the
person is stil moving around and the result would be an annoying plunge into darkness. To fix this, we use the "Sustain Trigger"
(I2) instead. The sustain trigger is designed for exactly this kind of application - turn on immediately when triggered, but don't
actually start the countdown to turn off until the triggering voltage has been removed.
This set up assumes that the PIR sensor will be located very close to the Poly Block - if you need to make long cable runs from
the PIR to the Poly Block, take a look at the Line Block.
If you wanted to use an AC light, you could connect the O0 output to the AC Switch Block, and control the light from there. But
beware, household AC voltages (110V or 220V depending on where you live) are very dangerous.
Block Diagram

Fig. 2: Block Diagram

Step-by-Step Assembly Instructions

Step 1 - Connect the Power Supply
First we need to choose a light and an appropriate power supply. The main determining factor here is how much power the light
is going to need. The +V connections will be determined by the voltage of the fan - i.e. a 12V light will require a 12V power
supply. A smaller light that runs on 9V, for example, would make it possible to use a standard 9V battery as the power supply.
Be sure to power the PIR sensor from the 5V connector on the PolyBlock, not +V. Note that an AC (110V) household light would
definitely not work directly with this set up and would certainly damage any connected devices.
Depending on your choice of light, you'll need to choose an appropriate power supply, as mentioned above. With your power
supply selected, connect the +V (positive) from the power supply to +V on the PolyBlock and the 0V (ground/negative) from the
power supply to 0V on the PolyBlock (Fig. 1.1). You may need to strip 1/8" insulation off the wires from your power supply.

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MOTION DETECTOR ACTIVATED LIGHT

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Fig.1.1

Step 2 - Connect the PIR Sensor

The PIR sensor has three wires coming out of it. The red wire goes to 5V on the PolyBlock, the black wire goes to 0V, and the
yellow wire should be connected to I2 (Input 2) (Fig. 2.1). Set the PolyBlock to the Timer Function by manipulating the Function
Switch to 0010 (Fig. 2.2). I2 on a Poly Block set to the Timer Function corresponds to the Sustain Trigger input. This means
that as soon as the PIR is triggered, the light will turn on but the timer will not start counting down until the PIR is inactive. The
length of the timer will determine the amount of time that the light remains on after nobody is in range of the PIR sensor.

Fig. 2.1

Fig. 2.2

Step 3 - Prepare the Light

Because halogen lights create electrical noise on the lines that power them, if we use them, it is important to filter the power
going to them with a capacitor. The capacitor needs to go between the two wires going to the light and should be around 0.1uF
and be rated to work with at least the +V voltage you're using.
To do this, we need to make one solder connection from the positive lead of the capacitor to the +V line going to the light, and
another from the negative lead of the capacitor to the 0V (ground) line to the light. Solder a short length of wire (appropriately
colored - black or red) onto each of the leads of the capacitor (Fig. 3.1 - below) and then use these wires to make the
connection with the appropriate wires from the light. Heatshrink any exposed solder joints to prevent unwanted shorts and to
add a little physical support.
Step 4 - Connect the Light
Assuming the chosen light is not going to draw more than 2A of current, it can be connected directly to the PolyBlock. If your
light draws more than 2A of current, you can add a Switch Block to increase the allowed amperage. Connect the positive lead
from the light to the +V connector on the Poly Block and the negative lead to the S0 (Switch 0) connector (Fig. 4.1). To connect
a household lamp to a standard power outlet, please see the AC Switch Block. Again, be sure that your power supply provides
the correct +V for the light you've chosen.
The output from the PolyBlock will come from the +V connector and the S0 (Switch 0) connector. Be sure not to use the O0
(Output 0) connector - the V+ line via the light will expose the microcontroller to voltages that will almost certainly damage it.

Fig 3.1

Fig. 4.1

Step 5 - Power Up

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With the power supply still unplugged, double check all of the power connections to make sure all the 12V's, 5V's, and 0V's are
properly connected. Once you're confident everything is where it should be, plug in the power.
Step 6 - Calibrate the PolyBlock
As described in the Timer Function reference for the PolyBlock, the onboard trimpot can be used to adjust the amount of time
that the light will stay on once the PIR is triggered. This can range from anywhere from a few milliseconds to almost 20
minutes. Start with the trimpot turned all the way counter-clockwise. This will give you the shortest timer period possible.
Gradually turn the trimpot clockwise to adjust the length of the timer as desired.

Project Ideas & Mods

D.I.Y. Burglar Alarm - Turn on a light automatically when somebody enters a certain area. The light can either be located in
the same space as the motion detector or be remote - turn on a light or LED indicator sin your room or office to let you know
that somebody is at your front door.
Household Automation - Use the AC Switch Block to control a household lamp instead of one of its smaller relatives.
Flashing Light - Add a second Poly Block set to the Oscillator Function to make the light flash on and off when the PIR sensor
is triggered.
If you make this project or one related to it, please post any questions, comments and/or pictures to our mailing list.

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