RE: Re: Beam Breaks - worthwhile?

["Kevin Hawkins" <lists@xxxxxxx>]

Ian,



Do these Maplin kits use a modulated beam in any way ? - I ask
because I wonder if they protected against bright light in any way eg
sunlight.

I have been considering this for a while on some of my doorways, if I could
get the cosmetics right - if there were some flat faced IR leds that would
mount flush with polished wood that would be even nicer.

I would have liked a dual beam arrangement too to try and get some
direction
indication. I am fortunate that my door entrances are typically 3 foot in
depth so I can get good spacing.

I looked once at the Phaedrus 'BeamBar' product
http://www.phaedrusltd.co.uk/system/index.html
but again cosmetically it was
not nice . I suppose I could try remounting the 8 sensors/leds. Someone was
going to buy and evaluate one of these on this list - I forget who. ?? any
comments ??  Now that you've reminded me maybe  I'll get one to try.

I am surprised that there is not a professional solution - that looks
invisible, perhaps even similar to that loop sensor (BIM?) product you were
playing with - someone tell me there is..



Kevin





-----Original Message-----
From: ian.bird@xxxxxxx
[mailto:ian.bird@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 14 August 2003 15:35
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Re: Beam Breaks - worthwhile?




Hi Shane

I use beam breaks in a couple of door around the place with 100%
reliability. About now I should say I use them for switching lights not
occupancy detection. If you plan to use the PIR system to do lights you may
well be annoyed by the detection delay which means you have already walked
into something by the time the light comes on. Beam breaks solve this
problem pretty much but are not always suitable depending on your house
layout. Don't forget light level detection if you plan to go for light
control. If it is daylight you may not want to turn on the lights depending
on other factors e.g. ambient light level. Here is some details on this
project http://www.mollyology.com/MyHouseKitchenLights.htm

I have used a very slightly modified version of the Maplin beam breaks (
http://www.maplin.co.uk product code
MK120) and have mounted the IR LEDs
remotely from the PCB boards (cos they are big and ugly). I only use about
6 feet of cable but you could probably mount them further away. The
modification bit means they switch a reed relay rather than sounding a
buzzer.

Ian




---------+---------------------------->
Frank Mc Alinden
<fmcalind@bigpond
.net.au>

14/08/2003 12:32
Please respond to
ukha_d

---------+---------------------------->

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To:       ukha_d@xxxxxxx

cc:

Subject:  Re: [ukha_d] Re: Beam Breaks - worthwhile?


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Hi Neil
Ian Bird could be the man to speak to ...Check out the link to
Ians project it might help...

http://www.mollyology.com/ProjectsBabyPaws.htm

HTH
Frank
----- Original Message -----
From: Frost Neil
To: 'ukha_d@xxxxxxx'
Sent: Thursday, August 14, 2003 9:22 PM
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Re: Beam Breaks - worthwhile?


Are there any someone could recommend?

-----Original Message-----
From: mark_harrison_uk2 [mailto:mph@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 14 August 2003 10:54
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] Re: Beam Breaks - worthwhile?


Shane,

I'd install them. It's a real pig to fit them retrospectively, and
multi-mode occupancy sensing is always going to beat single-mode.

Regards,

Mark

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Shane Harrison"
<shane.harrison@p...>
wrote:
> Hi there,
>
> So I am in the final planning stages of the new house and the
question
> is should I go to the trouble of installing beam breaks on the
internal
> doors (where sensible)?  Are they really useful or should I stick to
> multiple PIR's (one for security one for occupancy) if I wanted to
have
> occupancy detection. I am thinking that technology must improve in
this
> area soon and hence camera occupancy might eventually be a better
> approach or some other smart technology.
>
> I would appreciate you learned thoughts?
>
> Cheers
> Shane