If you are an animal lover, like my family is, then you will know that having pets in the home doesn’t always mix well with an alarm system. However, there are pet-friendly alarm systems out there. The key to a pet-friendly alarm system is the components in the alarm system, particularly motion detectors. In this article below we outline what pet immune motion detectors are, how they work and what you should look for when purchasing a pet-friendly security system.
Avoid false alarms
False alarms are a nuisance. They cannot be fully eliminated. But false alarms can be reduced, as I outline in my article “how to reduce false alarms”. And, you should do whatever you can to reduce false alarms, not only to keep your own sanity but also to avoid trouble with neighbours and the law. And one of the major causes of false alarms is pets.
When an alarm is left on and the pets have the run of the house, they can perhaps nudge a door open that wasn’t locked. If that door had a contact on it, then the door opening would trigger a false alarm. But the vast majority of false alarms caused by pets are from motion detectors.
That’s because most alarm systems will include motion detectors and these devices are very efficient at capturing movement and alerting homeowners. Motion detectors can use different technologies like passive infrared or microwaves sensors. I have written about how motion detectors work and why they are useful. But the upshot is, most alarm systems use them, and they are reliable in detecting motion from living creatures… including your furry friend.
Will motion sensors detect pets?
So yes, absolutely, motion sensors will detect pets like cats and dogs. Motion sensors are basically using sensors to detect movement using heat signals and a darling fluffy friend left at home while the alarm is on will trigger the alarm when they move about.
So you have a couple of options:
- kick the pets outside when you arm your alarm system.
- remove motion detectors from the area you will confine your pets to when leaving them and arming the security system
- install pet-immune motion detectors that will detect humans but not animals.
For most of us animal lovers, the best option will be to install the pet-immune motion sensors. A pet-immune motion detector is something you should definitely consider if you have pets that are left at home when the alarm is left on.
What is a pet immune motion sensor?
A pet immune motion sensor is the perfect safety solution for your home; it allows small pets to roam without triggering a false alarm, while still detecting human movement in the same area. With this technology, you can rest assured that both your furry friends and family are safe! To put it simply, the motion sensor will alert your system if a burglar breaks into your building. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that you get to enjoy both benefits – you don’t need to keep your dog or cat locked up while out, and yet still be able to rely on an alarm triggered by any intruder who passes through the area detected by the motion sensor.
How do motion sensors ignore pets?
In truth, the motion sensor cannot actually identify a human and an animal. Instead, a “pet-immune” motion sensor is specifically designed to differentiate between the typical heat signal of walking upright humans and the typical heat signals of pets moving close to the ground, which is where they are assumed to move. Mounting height and positioning are critical for the correct performance of these devices.
Most motion detectors are infrared-based. You may come across the term PIR motion sensor. That stands for passive infra-red. They detect heat from objects. With a pet immune detector, a lens on the motion detector focuses infrared radiation (heat signals) from around the room into the sensor processor. Kind of like receiving beams of light. The sensor is looking for heat signals from lower and upper beams as that would indicate a human is present in the room. In contrast, an animal would be on the ground, and only give heat signals from that direction. The sensor is programmed to only trigger an alarm when both upper and lower beams receive heat signals. The following image from alarmgrid.com illustrates this.
Most pet immune motion sensors will offer pet immunity for small animals up to a certain weight. If a pet immune motion sensor says that it provides pet immunity of “up to 40 pounds”, then that means a small animal weighing more than 40 pounds will probably activate the sensor. But remember that these listed weights are just estimates. The real consideration is whether or not the small animal will get within the sensor’s field of view.
It is important to understand that pet-immune motion sensors are not perfect. The image below from ajax.systems shows how a clever collie standing on it’s hind legs could trigger a “pet-immune” motion sensor.
So, if a pet manages to get up in the upper detection area, it will still trigger the motion sensor. If you have your motion sensor facing a couch, and your pet climbs on top of the couch, they might still activate the sensor. That’s why positioning your sensor is so important. And the correct height is crucial too. Mounting it too low may allow your pet to get within its detection area. The standard mounting height for a pet immune motion detector is between 7.5 feet and 8 feet high.
Many motion detectors will have sensitivity settings. So when installing your pet-immune motion detector you may want to select the lowest sensitivity to further reduce false alarms from pets.
Tips for Using Pet Immune Motion Sensors
- The best place to install the equipment is in a corner, between 2.4 and 2.7 meters above the floor. If possible, an intruder’s possible direction of movement should be at right angles to the sensor. (so if there’s a door or corridor, that would ensure the intruder has to pass in a certain direction so you can mount your device accordingly.
- To ensure optimal performance of your motion sensor, avoid installing it in the vicinity of sources of heat such as heating or windows that receive direct sunlight. Additionally, make sure to not place your device near any electronic cables or appliances which produce a consistent amount of heat for extended periods.
- If the pet-immune motion detector continues to false alarm, then you can try turning it upside down and mounting it lower. Test it to ensure that it still detects human movement.
Range of pet sizes covered by pet-immune motion sensors
So how large does my dog have to be before a pet-immune motion detector triggers? Well, it depends. It depends on the brand and the technology used. Many can ignore smaller moving objects up to 40 pounds. With this, your small pets can roam freely in the comfort of their own home. There are some systems offering 80lb and even 100lb coverage. And there are some that are adjustable.
Below is a list of some popular systems and the maximum pet size (by weight) that the sensors can ignore.
- Vivint. 25-50lb
- ADT. <60lb
- Frontpoint. <40lb
- Simplisafe. <50lb
- Cove. <50lb
Common questions about pet-immune motion detectors
There are a few frequently asked questions that crop up, so we answer these below and will add to them as more are asked.
Are there wireless pet-immune motion detectors?
Yes, there are many brands these days that offer some level of pet-immunity in wireless motion detectors. For example those from Simplisafe, Cove, ADT or Frontpoint.
Are there Outdoor pet immune motion detectors
There are some manufacturers that produce weather-proof pet immune motion detectors for outdoor use. These may require some extra testing depending on their installation location and perhaps even professional installation. Uneven terrain can present a challenge as well.
What is dual technology pet immune motion detection?
Some manufacturers have enhanced their motion detectors with added technology. For example, the Honeywell DT8035V features dual technology using both infrared and microwave sensors in combination to provide more reliable pet-immunity for larger animals up to 100 lbs.
What if my dog is too big for pet-immune motion detectors?
Don’t worry, you can still secure your home. By installing door and window contacts and glass break detectors you can ensure that no one gains access to the space without triggering the alarm while still allowing your large furry friend to roam about freely.
The Final Score: Pet-Immune Motion Detectors
Thankfully you don’t have to kick your furry friend out when you turn the alarm on. They can enjoy the coziness of home while you’re gone, and you can rest assured your security system is on and won’t false alarm when your pet roams. Pet-immune motion detectors have come a long way in reliability and the size of animals they can differentiate. Many alarm companies offer pet-immune motion detectors, like the affordable SimpliSafe or Cove systems. And these devices can significantly reduce false alarms caused from pets. But, they are not infallible. Make sure these devices are installed in the right position at the right height to enjoy the most reliable performance. And, if your furry best friend is too large for pet immune sensors, consider installing door and window contacts and adding glass break detectors.
Be smart and stay safe