Microwave Detector

Modern lighting schemes require the use of light only when necessary, that’s when a microwave detector inside the fitting comes in useful.


When looking to reduce your lighting energy consumption, you will have by now changed to LED light sources, but you can go further. No energy* is better than low energy. A light fitting with a microwave detector inside can ensure that they only operate when actually needed.

Underground walkway

Have you ever walked into a room or out into a car park and the lights have come on? That was a detector finding you and then turning the lights on and after a period they will turn off, awaiting the next person.

A microwave detector inside the light fitting is a complete way to ensure that the light is only on when there is someone there to benefit from it and so only using electricity when needed.

Microwave Adjust

With a modern microwave detector you can make 5 adjustments to adapt it just for you.

  • The detection area – How far do you want the microwave detector to see. Remember some can detect through thin walls.
  • Hold Time – How long you want the light to stay illuminated at 100% output for when activated.
  • Daylight sensor – At what level of light do you want it to start turning the light on.
  • Stand-by period – How long to keep the light illuminated at a lower level before completely switching off.
  • Stand-by dimming level – The light level you would like after the hold time has finished and lasts for as long as the stand-by period.

For example

If you have a long corridor that has a series of lights where there is not many people walking during the night, you could set the microwave detector as.

  • Detection – small, a few meters either side of the light.
  • Hold time – 10 seconds at full 100% brightness.
  • Daylight sensor set to dusk – The light only needs to come on if it is dark enough.
  • Stand-by period – 30 seconds after the person has passed.
  • Stand-by dimming level – 50%. Nice to have some light behind them, but not full brightness.

In this situation a person walking along the corridor would active the light as they approached at 100% brightness and then drop down to 50% power for 30 seconds once passed. It would then switch itself off.

Give us a call, and we would be happy to talk to you about microwave detectors for your next lighting refurb.

*Even though the light might not be illuminated a microwave sensor does use a tiny amount of electricity to scan it’s surroundings.