Light is the cheapest deterrent
Most break-ins and vandalism happen where people can work unseen. Good lighting removes that cover. Motion lighting adds surprise: a dark yard that suddenly lights up tells someone they have been noticed, and it tells you or your camera something is happening.
It also helps with everyday things: finding the keyhole at 6 p.m. in December, seeing ice on the walk, and getting the garbage out to the lane.
For businesses, lighting also supports staff safety. People leaving after a late shift should be able to see the path to their car, the parking area and anyone nearby. Combined with cameras and good sightlines, lighting is one of the most effective security measures you can install.
Where lights do the most good
- Entrances front, back and side doors, including the door from the garage.
- Lane and garage in older Edmonton neighbourhoods, the back lane is a common approach.
- Side yards and gates that are out of sight from the street.
- Driveways and parking for homes and small businesses.
- Loading docks, dumpsters and rear exits for commercial sites.
Pair lights with cameras where you can. Lit scenes give colour footage instead of grainy infrared. See planning a CCTV system.
How motion sensors work
Most outdoor motion sensors are passive infrared (PIR). They watch for a warm body moving across zones in their field of view. Some fixtures add microwave or camera-based detection for better accuracy.
- Mount at the height the manufacturer recommends, usually above head height.
- Aim so a person walks across the sensor's view, not straight at it.
- Keep sensors away from dryer vents, exhaust fans and heat sources that cause false triggers.
- Use sensitivity and range settings to keep out the sidewalk, street and swaying trees.
A fixture that stays at a low glow from dusk to dawn and jumps to full brightness on motion gives both a lit entrance and an alert, without lighting the neighbourhood all night.
Time-delay settings control how long the light stays on after motion stops. Short delays save energy but can leave someone in the dark mid-task. For entrances and lanes, a delay of a few minutes is usually more practical.
Good light, not just bright light
- Aim down. Shielded, full cut-off fixtures put light where you need it and reduce glare that creates dark shadows behind it.
- Mind your neighbours. Light shining into windows causes complaints, and some municipalities have bylaws about light trespass.
- Colour. Warmer LED colour temperatures are easier on the eyes and on neighbours; cameras benefit from good colour rendering.
- Glare hurts security. A blinding floodlight makes it harder for people and cameras to see past it.
For commercial sites, a lighting layout can set target levels for parking and walkways. Our outdoor security lighting team can design and install it, and LED retrofits can convert old floodlights.
Think about how the lights look from the street too. A well-lit, tidy entrance signals an occupied, cared-for property. A single harsh floodlight pointed at the lane can make the area beyond it harder to see, not easier.
Where lights are near property lines, a quick conversation with neighbours before installation saves later complaints, and they may appreciate the extra light on a shared lane.
Edmonton weather and wiring
- Choose fixtures and sensors rated for outdoor wet locations and our low winter temperatures.
- LEDs start instantly in the cold, unlike older metal halide fixtures.
- Snow and ice on a sensor lens can block it. Mount under an eave or soffit where possible.
- Outdoor boxes need weatherproof covers and proper sealing to keep meltwater out during chinooks.
- Long runs to a detached garage or a pole are usually best planned with any other outdoor work.
You can safely change a sensor setting or replace a bulb with the power off at the switch or breaker. Adding new outdoor circuits, boxes or fixtures is electrical work that needs a licensed electrician and, usually, a permit.
Power for security lighting often comes from an existing exterior circuit. If you are adding several fixtures, a detached garage feed or lights on a pole, an electrician will check that the circuit has capacity and that the wiring method suits the location.
Smart controls and maintenance
Smart fixtures and switches can send motion alerts to your phone, link with cameras, and follow schedules. Keep them on a reliable Wi-Fi signal outdoors, and keep a manual way to turn lights on.
Twice a year, check that each light triggers where you expect, clean lenses, and adjust aim after snow clearing or tree growth. For a business with emergency lighting obligations, motion lighting is separate from emergency and exit lighting, which has its own testing requirements.
A small spare parts kit, such as a replacement sensor head for your most-used fixture, can keep an important entrance lit until a repair is done.
Common questions
Why does my motion light turn on by itself?
Common causes are trees moving in wind, passing cars, warm air from vents, and animals. Reduce sensitivity, narrow the range or re-aim the sensor.
Do motion sensors work in the winter?
Yes. PIR sensors detect the difference between body heat and the background, so cold weather often helps. Keep snow and frost off the lens.
Should security lights stay on all night?
Constant bright lighting wastes energy and annoys neighbours. A low dusk-to-dawn level with motion boost is a good balance for most homes.
Can I add a motion sensor to my existing light?
Often, with a compatible fixture or a sensor module. If it means changing boxes or wiring, have a licensed electrician do it.
Codes and permit rules change and every building is different. For work on your system, talk to a licensed electrician and your local permit authority.