The RP controller expansion sensor modules support motion detection through a passive infrared sensor.
The passive infrared (PIR) sensor is designed to detect the motion of people. For example, the sensor can be used to automatically turn on the lights when a person enters a room and to turn off the lights when the person has left the room.
The sensor modules use a quad-type PIR sensor with Fresnel lens. The PIR sensor detects the amount of change in infrared radiation that occurs when a person moves, by sensing the difference in temperature between the human body and the floor, walls, and other objects in the background.
The PIR sensor detection range depends on which height the sensor is mounted, as shown in the following figure and table.
Sensor mounting height |
Sensor detection range (diameter) |
3.0 m (10 ft) |
8.6 m (28 ft) |
2.7 m (9 ft) |
8.0 m (26 ft) |
2.5 m (8 ft) |
7.4 m (24 ft) |
The sensor modules are designed to be installed with the PIR sensor facing down. For example, the sensor module can be installed into a dropped ceiling, on a drywall ceiling, or on a junction box (when there is no ceiling and space is opened to plenum). For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Multi-sensor Device Installation .For more information, see RP Controller Expansion Insight-Sensor Device Installation .Installing the sensor module on a wall will reduce the coverage range of the PIR sensor.
The motion detection sensitivity needs to be tuned on site during commissioning. The tuning is done by measuring the sensitivity and then entering a sensitivity value in the EcoStruxure Building Operation software. For more information, see Configuring the RP Controller Expansion Passive Infrared Sensor .