How to Stop False Alarms from an Overly Sensitive Abode Motion Sensor
The Abode home security system provides reliable protection, but a motion sensor that is too sensitive can quickly become a nuisance, bombarding you with false alarms and notifications. Tuning your motion sensors correctly is key to a system that is both secure and convenient. This guide will help you troubleshoot and fix an overly sensitive sensor.
## Understanding Why False Alarms Happen
Abode motion sensors primarily use Passive Infrared (PIR) technology. This means they don't 'see' motion in the way a camera does. Instead, they detect rapid changes in infrared energy—or heat. A false alarm is triggered when the sensor detects a heat signature that it interprets as a person, but is actually caused by something else.
Common culprits for false alarms include:
- Pets: Animals moving around your home are a frequent source of triggers.
- Direct Sunlight: A sunbeam moving across a room can cause a sudden temperature change on the floor, fooling the sensor.
- Heat Sources: Placement near radiators, heat vents, or fireplaces can cause false triggers when they turn on or off.
- Moving Objects: Curtains or decorations moving due to an air vent can sometimes be enough to set off a sensitive sensor.
## Step 1: Adjusting the Sensor's Sensitivity
Abode provides different ways to adjust sensitivity depending on the type of sensor you have.
### For the Standard Abode Motion Sensor
The sensitivity setting is physical, located inside the sensor itself.
- Open the Sensor: Carefully slide the back cover off the motion sensor to reveal the internal components.
- Locate the Jumper: You will see a small set of pins with a plastic block (a jumper) covering two of them. The pins will be labelled, typically with 'H' for High and 'L' for Low.
- Change the Setting: The sensor usually ships on the 'High' setting. To reduce sensitivity and make it more pet-friendly, gently pull the jumper off the pins and place it back over the 'L' and central pin.
- Close and Test: Replace the cover and test the sensor to see if the change has reduced the false alarms. The 'Low' setting is designed to be immune to pets up to 27kg (60 lbs), provided the sensor is mounted correctly.
### For the Abode Iota All-in-One Gateway
The Iota's built-in motion sensor sensitivity can be adjusted through the software.
- Open the Abode App: Navigate to the 'Devices' tab.
- Select the Iota Gateway: Find your Iota in the device list and open its settings.
- Adjust Sensitivity: You should see a setting for 'Motion Sensitivity' with options like Low, Medium, and High. Select a lower setting and save your changes.
## Step 2: Strategic Sensor Placement
How and where you mount your sensor is just as important as its sensitivity setting.
- Optimal Height: For pet immunity, the ideal mounting height is 2.2 to 2.3 metres (7.5 to 8 feet) off the ground.
- Avoid Angling Down: When mounting, face the sensor straight out across the room. Do not angle it downwards. Angling it down defeats the pet-friendly detection pattern and makes it more likely to pick up animals on the floor.
- Look Away from Heat and Light: Never point a motion sensor directly at a window that receives direct sunlight, a radiator, or a heating/cooling vent.
- Corner Placement: The best location is usually in the corner of a room, looking down the longest diagonal of the space. This provides the widest possible coverage area.
- Stable Surface: Ensure the sensor is mounted securely. A sensor on a wobbly surface could move slightly and trigger itself.
## Step 3: Using Abode's Features to Your Advantage
- Test Mode: Before you rely on a newly adjusted sensor, put your Abode system into Test Mode. This allows you to walk around and test the sensor's detection pattern without dispatching emergency services.
- Automation: For non-critical areas, you could use Abode's CUE automation engine to create rules that, for example, only notify you of motion in certain areas when the system is in 'Away' mode, reducing notification fatigue.
By combining the correct sensitivity setting with strategic placement, you can significantly reduce or eliminate false alarms, making your Abode system a reliable and stress-free part of your home.