Zone · Guides · Dusk-to-dawn vs motion lights

Dusk-to-dawn vs motion sensor security lights

Both switch themselves. A dusk-to-dawn light stays on all night; a motion sensor light comes on when someone walks up. Which one you want depends on whether the spot needs light all night or only when someone is there.

How each one switches

	Dusk-to-dawn	Motion sensor
Sensor	A photocell that reads the daylight	A sensor that detects movement in front of it
On	When it gets dark	When someone or something moves in range
Off	When it gets light	A while after the movement stops
Good for	Light all night: a door, a yard, a parking area	Light when someone arrives: a driveway, a side door, a path
Zone lights	6	4 outdoor, 1 garage

The on and off behaviour above describes the two kinds of control in general. How long a Zone motion light stays on, and how far it sees, are printed on each product only where the product page lists them.

Dusk-to-dawn lights

Each of these has a photocell, as published on its product page:

Dusk-to-dawn wall pack (Z-WP150-DC): photocell on the housing; selectable colour temperature; mounts to a standard box.
Dusk-to-dawn jelly jar security light, black (Z-JW1000-B-DC).
Dusk-to-dawn jelly jar security light, white (Z-JW1000-W-DC).
Dusk-to-dawn area light (Z-XY-BL50-CCT): 3000K, 4000K or 5000K; 5,000 lm, 42 W.
Dusk-to-dawn twin security light, black (Z-KOP-15D-BK): two adjustable heads.
Dusk-to-dawn twin security light, white (Z-KOP-15D-WH): two adjustable heads.

Jelly jar lights are the small enclosed fixtures beside a door; wall packs and area lights cover a wider area of wall or yard.

Motion sensor security lights

2-head motion security light (Z-S-2500-BZ): two adjustable heads; motion sensor, 180 degrees.
Motion-sensor outdoor wall lantern (ZWL0431WDSEGFBK).
Dual-head motion security flood light, black (Z-3SH-MA-BLK): two adjustable heads.
Dual-head motion security flood light, white (Z-3SH-MA-WH): two adjustable heads.

Inside the garage, the motion-activated 3-panel garage light (motion sensor up to 26 ft) uses the same idea. See garage & shop lights.

Which is the best security light?

The one whose control matches the spot. Light that should be there whenever it is dark, such as a door or a yard, suits dusk-to-dawn. Light that should come on when someone arrives, such as a driveway or a side door, suits a motion sensor. Many homes use both: dusk-to-dawn by the door, motion over the drive. None of the Zone lights above publishes both controls in one fixture.

The lights