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PIR-controlled LED Flood-lights

Thomas Whiteside

I want to canvass LED luminaire manufacturers to the problem that their PIR-controlled LED flood-lights might not be illuminating building exteriors correctly, but instead could lead to unsafe and unlit areas. I am referring to manufacturers’ totally sealing PIR-controlled LED flood-lights with no access to its internal PIR switched-live. Let me explain, as follows: 

Traditionally, as an electrical engineer, I have always specified areas where multiple security flood-lights are required to be cabled with 3core & earth cable, where the additional core is used as a PIR switched-live to bring on all flood-lights together in a group. This is only possible if the PIR switched-live is accessible outside the flood-light, which of course it is on traditional halogen luminaires, but not on LED luminaires, which only have a 3core flex with no way to open the luminaire. 

Of course, there are other alternatives, such as separate PIRs but additional cost implications make this option expensive, particularly on long pathways around the perimeter of large buildings. Also, multiple exit doors would result in multiple separate PIRs with yet more expense. 

Simply, if manufacturers brought out a 4core flex, (live, neutral, earth & PIR switched-live, it gives electricians both options of each flood-light illuminating separately ignoring the additional PIR switched-live or bringing them all on together by connecting all grouped PIR switched-lives together. Whenever a single PIR triggers, it puts a live feed onto the additional core, which in turn puts a live feed onto the additional core bringing on all flood-lights connected to it.

 Perhaps manufacturers reading this article will consider my proposals and alter their designs if found appropriate. Thank you.

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  • I concur with the last two comments. It is often a good idea to have the ability to link PIR floods to a one detect then several illuminate situation - not no all switching outputs allow this anyway unless you put your own relay in them. You have also to be aware of total load allowance too.

    Also the old original PIR flood combos were british made (apparently) and had a large-ish linking arm so that swivel of detector and flood could vary a bit between each other. However, back then say early 80s they were about £45 + VAT each and put that in todays money and they were quite a few bob each. If my memory serves me correctly.

    Today we live in a more sort of "Cheap as Chips" society but avoidance of cost and over-engineering (that we used to get accused of) brings it all to a race to the bottom. Great prices but often leaving something to be desired.

    This was still in the days that washing machines etc could last 20,30,40 years and over and if you go a computer or something you`d keep it for at least 10years.

    Ultimately I usually go for separates even though just the PIR switch alone often costs more than the whole combined unit.

  • in reply to ebee

    One thing I`ve done a few times whether combined or separates if using two or more is to link via a simple lighting plateswitch . Link the commons as a common bus and the separate units to the One way switch terminals. Therefore a 2,3,4 or 6 bank of lighting can allow each one to be tested/set up individually but switch over allows a group setting. Of course this basic idea can be overtaken by readily available GSM/WiFi tech these days.

    I haven`t even mentioned such as GJD Opals etc either.

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  • in reply to ebee

    One thing I`ve done a few times whether combined or separates if using two or more is to link via a simple lighting plateswitch . Link the commons as a common bus and the separate units to the One way switch terminals. Therefore a 2,3,4 or 6 bank of lighting can allow each one to be tested/set up individually but switch over allows a group setting. Of course this basic idea can be overtaken by readily available GSM/WiFi tech these days.

    I haven`t even mentioned such as GJD Opals etc either.

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