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Steve Bishop
Steve Bishop is a qualified electrician and a member of NAPIT. To see his qualifications click here.
We all want to feel safe in our own homes, and because a shark-filled moat wouldn’t be workable for most of us, I have chosen to dedicate this month's Circuit Shorts to security lighting. Obviously, the main reason to install security lights is to protect your home but they can also add a stylish touch to your property. Correctly positioned lighting can complement the geometry of your home and add emphasis and character.
- Keep it low -
A lot of people are under the misconception that the brighter the light, the better the chance is of deterring a burglar. In fact, dazzling lights outside your home can create shadows around the building where burglars can potentially hide. Low intensity lighting is far more effective for keeping your house safe. Even cosmetic outdoor lighting can work as a deterrent, especially in your garden. Find more information about garden lighting on our website by clicking here. However, lights designed especially for security can be more cost effective in the long run. I list below the three most popular types of security lighting.
- PIR security lights -
PIR (or passive infrared) security lights are sensitive to body heat which activates a sensor and the light switches on when someone walks into the field of detection. You can adjust the size of the area over which the sensor works and this will prevent the light being activated by passing people, foxes or cats. It also means you can make sure your light doesn’t annoy your neighbours. They are best positioned on the approach to your front door, rear door or garage. As they light up when someone approaches your house, you can see if anyone is lurking in the shadows. These are also available as LED lamps which are more energy efficient. For more information about how LED lamps save you money, please see our webpage by clicking here.
- Dusk-to-dawn security lights -
These do exactly what it says on the tin - stay on from dusk until dawn. They normally use low pressure sodium lights which are orangey in colour, lead free, have reduced mercury content and last longer. They are not as bright but are sufficient to illuminate anyone lurking around outside your house. Although the fact that they stay on all night may give the impression that they are not particularly energy efficient, new models have a high intensity discharge lamps for efficiency.
- Solar powered security lights -
Solar powered security lights are relatively new to the market. They work by charging during daylight and then activate at night when motion is detected. They can be easy to install as they don’t need to be connected to the electrical mains and don’t cost anything to run. The downside to these is that they can be unreliable and ideally need to be located on a south facing wall.
- Installing security lights -
At S W Bishop Electrical we would always recommend leaving the installation of security lighting to a fully qualified electrician as it should always be in accordance with UK building regulations. Also, as with any outdoor electrics, these fittings must always be RCD protected. For more information about RCD protection please go to our webpage by clickinghere.
Looking through your front door spy hole into a shadowy darkness can make even grandma look sinister. For this month's Lightbulb Moment we suggest positioning a porch light fitting to one side of the door at a height that will illuminate a caller’s face. This will enable you to use your door viewer to identify them effectively.
- Keep that carbon footprint low -
Please do take into consideration your neighbours as no-one is going to take kindly to a light shining through their window when they are trying to sleep. The negative effects of polluting lights extend beyond us humans as they can confuse night flying birds, kill millions of insects each year and can cause other negative ecological effects. Poorly directed light also wastes money and adds to our carbon footprint. Click hereto find out more about government legislation regarding light pollution from DEFRA (Department for Environmental Food and Rural Affairs).
I hope this month's Circuit Shortshas answered any questions you may have about security lighting.
As ever, if you have any questions about the information contained in this month's Circuit Shorts please give me a call on my mobile (I am always happy to have a chat and answer any queries) or if you would prefer, drop us a line here.
Next month: Tips and tricks for saving money on your electricity bill
