Where should a motion detector be installed?

Where should a motion detector be installed?

• A. In the hallway
• B. In the kitchen
• C. In the bathroom
• D. In the garage

Answer: (A)

Placement in a hallway is best because motion detectors are most effective when they monitor the path an intruder would take between entry points and into the interior. Hallways provide a natural corridor that catches movement early and reduces blind spots, giving timely alerts. Other locations tend to cause problems: kitchens can trigger from cooking heat and steam, bathrooms have humidity that can cause false alarms, and garages often have variable activity and equipment heat that can be inconsistent for reliable sensing. If you do install sensors, place them high on a wall in the hallway (about 6–8 feet) away from heat sources or direct drafts to maximize coverage and minimize false alarms.

Placement in a hallway is best because motion detectors are most effective when they monitor the path an intruder would take between entry points and into the interior. Hallways provide a natural corridor that catches movement early and reduces blind spots, giving timely alerts.

Other locations tend to cause problems: kitchens can trigger from cooking heat and steam, bathrooms have humidity that can cause false alarms, and garages often have variable activity and equipment heat that can be inconsistent for reliable sensing. If you do install sensors, place them high on a wall in the hallway (about 6–8 feet) away from heat sources or direct drafts to maximize coverage and minimize false alarms.