Installing a Home Security System

By: Edward Kendricks

If security is a concern for your work or home then you will want to do everything you can to protect your property. Even if you aren't that technically minded it is still relatively straightforward to install an outdoor motion detecter. All that is required is an existing light fixtures as well as a nearby source of electricity. It doesn't matter if you are having trouble locating a power source as you will still be able to run a cable out to the light. All it takes is a little bit of wiring knowledge.

The first job that you need to take care of is to locate for the circuit breaker/fuse that is connected to the exterior light that you wish to use. Running a new electrical circuit is much more complex and will require specialist knowedge, however for the purposes of this article we will be dealing with the basics if you have an existing light source. Once the fuse or circuit breaker has been turned off it is important that you use a suitable voltage tester to ensure that the power is definitely off. Once you have confirmed this get the new fixture out of it's packaging and read the instructions on how to set it up. Take care to notice any additional parts and screws so that you can have the relevant bits needed when required.

The next task to take care of is to remove the existing outdoor fixure so that you can prepare it for the new motion sensing device. It would be advisable to use a cordless drill to do this if you have one as it will make the task that much quicker, however you may find the task earlier if you first unscrew the existing screws a little with a phillips screwdriver. This will be useful if the screws are flat or a little rusty as your cordless drill will have trouble dripping them.

Once the old fixture has been removed take the base of your new motion sensing light and accurately mark out the areas where the screws are to be positioned. Before you try to fit the new sensor remember to fish the source wires through the middle of the base so that they are easily accessible. Now that your base is ready the next task is to match the source wires to the new wires on the new fixture. If the new wires look too long or too short to match the existing wires then use a pair of wire cutters to strip off some of the insulation. Approximately 3/4 of an inch should be sufficient.

Once everything is in place and fits firmly all that is left to do is to put the light into the fixture base. Remember to make sure the rubber seal is kept on. Simply turn the power back on and move across the sensor to see if it works! If you are at all unsure about installing any of your equipment then it could be time well spent to do a search online to find companies who specialise in security equipment.