Passive Infrared (PIR) Detector SE-10

via Pololu
$18.16
SKU PL-1635

PIR motion sensor SE-10 top view.

Overview

The SE-10 passive infrared detector senses motion of infrared light sources at the same wavelengths humans emit. Passive infrared detectors like the SE-10 are used in security and automation applications. In security, motion sensors are integrated into alarm systems and used to turn on security cameras. PIR motion detectors are also used to automatically turn on lights when people enter a room.

The two pyroelectric sensing elements allow the SE-10 IR motion detector to see moving infrared light sources while ignoring changes in background infrared radiation. A lens focuses the infrared light on to the two 2×1 mm silicon coated sensing elements spaced 1 mm apart.

When the sensor is powered on, it takes 1-2 seconds to calibrate itself to the background infrared radiation before it can detect motion. After calibration, the detector drives the open-collector Alarm pin low for the duration of the sensed motion (the alarm pin state is not latched); when there is no motion detected, the alarm pin is floating. The open-collector setup allows multiple motion sensors to be connected on a single input pin, but it means that you will need an external pull-up resistor on the alarm pin. If any of the motion sensors go off, the input pin will be pulled low.

Connections

Note: The cable wire colors can vary. Referring to the top-view picture above, the middle wire is ground, the left-most wire is the alarm, and the right-most wire is power.

This sensor should be powered at 12 V; our U3V12VF12 12V boost regulator and S10V2F12 12V step-up/step-down regulator are good options for powering this sensor from input voltages other than 12 V. The signal is an open-collector output, which requires an external pull-up resistor.

The connector is slightly odd but has a 0.1" pitch female connector making it compatible with jumper wires and 0.1" male headers.