How Does The Pet Immunity On A Motion Sensor Work

A pet friendly motion detector disregards the motion caused by animals weighing less than a listed weight. This is done by positioning the motion sensor in such a way that it does not "see" a pet walking low to the ground. However, the motion will still pickup a human walking upright.

There are two types of pet immune motion detectors. The first type is a passive infrared “PIR”, which ignores animals up to a certain weight. These motion detectors are usually the least expensive to purchase and will ignore a single small animal, such as a single cat or small dog. The majority of pet motions use infrared technology, where the motion is looking for the infrared heat from a living creature moving across a number of set zones of coverage.

The second is a dual technology motion detector which combines a PIR sensor and a microwave sensor into one unit. In order for motion to be detected, both sensors must trip together. The dual tech motion detector is usually more tolerant and resistant to animal caused false alarms. These units can usually ignore a good-sized animal or multiple small animals without generating an alarm condition. In the dual tech pet immune motion detector, both look for the movement of infrared heat, but they are "wired" together that when it sees the defined pattern in both lenses in a vertical format like a person walking, they trigger. However, if the pattern of movement is in a horizontal plane, it defines it as an animal, and will ignore it.

Some pet immune motion sensors have a sensitivity level that can be adjusted for very active animals. Most pet immune motion detectors should not be installed in locations where animals can climb or stairs where motion can be picked up. Pet immune motion detectors come in both hardwired and wireless.