How to Fix an Overly Sensitive Honeywell Motion Detector
A properly functioning motion detector is a cornerstone of a reliable Honeywell security system. However, a detector that is too sensitive can cause a deluge of false alarms, which can be stressful and may even lead to fines from local authorities. If your system is being triggered by pets, shadows, or for no discernible reason, it's time to troubleshoot.
This guide will help you understand why your Honeywell motion detector might be overly sensitive and what you can do to fix it, ensuring you only get alerts when there's a genuine threat.
### Common Causes of False Alarms
Honeywell motion detectors, especially Passive Infrared (PIR) models, work by detecting sources of heat and movement. An overly sensitive sensor can be triggered by a variety of environmental factors.
- Pets: While many Honeywell sensors have 'pet immunity', a large pet, or a smaller pet that climbs on furniture, can still get close enough to the sensor to trigger it.
- Vents and Radiators: The sensor can be triggered by the sudden blast of warm air from a heating vent or the heat radiating from a radiator that has just switched on.
- Direct Sunlight: A beam of sunlight moving across the floor as the day progresses can represent a significant enough temperature change to cause a false alarm.
- Moving Objects: Curtains, blinds, or even hanging decorations that move due to drafts from vents or open windows can be a source of false triggers.
- Insects: A spider crawling directly across the lens of the detector can appear as a large object to the sensor, resulting in an alarm.
Steps to Reduce False Alarms
Tackling the problem of over-sensitivity requires a two-pronged approach: optimising the physical placement of the detector and adjusting its internal settings.
### 1. Review and Correct Detector Placement
Where your motion detector is installed is the single most important factor in its accuracy.
- Check the Height: Ensure the detector is mounted at the height recommended in its installation manual, typically between 2.1 and 2.5 metres (7-8 feet).
- Avoid Heat Sources: Never aim a motion detector at or near a heating vent, radiator, or fireplace.
- Block Direct Sunlight: The detector should not be aimed at a window where direct sunlight can shine onto it or the floor in its field of view.
- Secure the Mounting: Make sure the detector is mounted securely to the wall or ceiling. A loose detector can vibrate or move slightly, causing false alarms.
- Clear Away Cobwebs: Regularly dust the casing of your motion detectors to remove any cobwebs or debris that could interfere with the lens.
### 2. Adjust the Sensitivity Settings
If the placement is correct, the next step is to adjust the sensitivity. The method for this varies by model.
- Wireless / All-in-One Systems: For systems like Honeywell Home or ProSeries, you can often adjust sensitivity through the main control panel or the Total Connect app. Look in the sensor or zone settings for an option like 'Pulse Count' or 'Sensitivity' (often with Low/Medium/High settings). Lowering this can help.
- Wired Sensors: For many traditional wired motion detectors, the sensitivity adjustment is a physical setting inside the detector itself.
- You will need to carefully open the detector's plastic casing (you may need to disarm your system first).
- Inside, look for a small set of pins with a jumper, or a small dial. This is the sensitivity or pulse count setting.
- The pulse count setting requires the sensor to detect motion two or more times in a short period before triggering. Increasing the pulse count is a very effective way to reduce false alarms.
- Consult the specific manual for your model to understand how to adjust it correctly.
By methodically checking the detector's placement and carefully adjusting its sensitivity, you can eliminate the vast majority of false alarms and restore confidence in your Honeywell security system.