Is Investing in Multiple Types of Motion Sensors Warranted?
Motion sensors used to be considered a home security add on for homeowners who had a little extra to spend on their security systems. Today, they are standard fare even for entry level systems. Moreover, motion sensor technology is no longer limited to infrared. There are actually five different types of motion sensors on the market right now.
I mention this because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recommended way back in 2004 that consumers invest in multiple sensor types. Why? To protect against the failure of one particular type at any given time. In other words, the recommendation was one of redundancy. But is investing in multiple types of sensors really warranted?
Redundancy Isn’t a Bad Thing
Redundancy is not a bad thing when it comes to security. Imagine you were investing in a security and home automation system from Vivint Home Security. A small number of door and window sensors would be included in your package. Vivint might recommend installing glass break sensors as well. The additional sensors add redundancy to your system.
It might be a smart move given the fact that a burglar spying a contact sensor on your window might choose to break the glass instead. A break glass sensor provides the necessary redundancy to overcome the burglar’s intention to avoid the contact sensor.
This example demonstrates the wisdom of multiple types of sensors, at least in a theoretical sense. But I am not sold from a practical standpoint. If I’m thinking like a burglar, noticing a contact sensor on a window tells me the whole house is wired with home security.
It’s Not the Only Sensor to Overcome
As a burglar, I might choose to break a window after spotting a context sensor. But that contact sensor is not the only sensor I will have to worry about. Once inside, I am likely to trip motion sensors or be caught on video surveillance.
The point I’m trying to make is that a home equipped with contact sensors on the windows is likely equipped with other security equipment. Taking my chances by breaking a window doesn’t make sense unless I am prepared to employ other means to get around the rest of the security system.
There May Be Another Reason
If thwarting burglars were the only reason to invest in multiple types of sensors, I would have to say that doing so is not warranted. But there may be another reason: using different types of sensors for other purposes.
Installing a smart thermostat with built in AI is a good example. An AI-powered smart thermostat should be able to artificially learn my routine and subsequently adjust itself accordingly. But in order to learn my routine, it needs data from other sensors in the house.
Different types of motion sensors could be utilized to feed my thermostat the necessary information. For the record, the five types of motion sensors are:
- Passive infrared
- Microwave
- Ultrasonic
- Dual technology
- Tomographic
Different types of home security devices can support different types of motion sensors. So by investing in a nice selection of different technologies, I increased the chances of having sensors that interact more effectively with my thermostat, lighting, and so on.
What I Want to Accomplish
I suppose it all comes down to what I want to accomplish with home automation. Simple expectations can be accomplished with simple setups. More complex expectations require more complex setups. It is really just that simple.
For my current needs, multiple types of motion sensors are not warranted. But I reserve the right to change my mind at some point in the future.
