This guide gives instructions on how to install motion sensors so that they can report readings to the cloud.
A PDF copy of the abbreviated installation manual in download format is available here.
Quick access
- What you need
- Planning the installation
- Activation
- Mounting options
- Configuration
- Battery Replacement
What you need
Upon unpacking, you will find the following items inside the box:
Besides the Motion sensor itself, it is advisable to have the following on hand:
- a laptop or a smartphone running the DT Studio web application studio.d21s.com. If your company does not have a DT Studio organization, get started at d21s.com/start
- we also recommend having one or more online Cloud Connectors (gateways) close by to enable forwarding sensor data to the DT Cloud and to check the connectivity of the sensor once it is installed. Please refer to our guide for detailed instructions on how to properly install our Cloud Connectors
- depending on the mounting option, having a #1 Phillips screwdriver or power drill with a #1 Phillips driver bit would be desirable.
Planning the installation
For larger installations, please plan before starting. The number of motion sensors needed depends on the size of the area that needs to be monitored. Each sensor can cover up to 150 sqm (1600 sqft) if installed at the maximum height of 3.6 meters (12 ft).
Detection Area
The detection area's size depends on the sensor's installation height.
| Installation Height | Detection Diameter | Detection Area |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 meters (8ft) | 9.5 meters (31ft) | ≈70 sqm (750 sqft) |
| 3 meters (10ft) | 12 meters (40ft) | ≈100 sqm (1000 sqft) |
| 3.6 meters (12ft) | 14 meters (45.9ft) | ≈150 sqm (1600 sqft) |
The maximum installation height possible is 3.6 meters (12 ft), resulting in a detection area diameter of 14 meters (46 ft).
Good to know!
The sensor reacts to heat from people moving across its field of view and will not detect people behind a glass wall. In high sensitivity mode, the sensor will detect the presence of people with minimal movement, like sitting in a chair. Low sensitivity mode requires more motion to trigger the sensor.
Activation
Common practice is to activate the sensor before mounting. Detach the mounting plate by rotating it counterclockwise and remove the battery tabs to activate the sensor. Nearby online Cloud Connectors will automatically start to relay data from the sensor to the cloud service.
Claim the sensor in Studio by scanning the QR code found on the back of the device. The same code is printed on the packaging label. The sensor is now available in Studio and you can give it a name, e.g. “Main Meeting Room”.
Mounting options
Motion sensors are designed to be ceiling-mounted. There are two mounting options available:
- Screws (recommended): Attach the mounting plate to the ceiling using the included screws. If necessary, use the wall anchors.
- Adhesive: Attach the mounting plate to a clean ceiling using the adhesive backing. Add a single screw to the center for extra safety. The adhesive creates a strong bond to the surface and can't be removed and reapplied once placed.
Lock the sensor in place by turning it clockwise on the mounting plate and fasten the included safety screw.
Installing Motion sensors on drop ceiling tiles
The base of the Motion sensor must be anchored to a surface solid enough to support the sensor’s weight. This is achieved in the case of a drop ceiling by backing a ceiling tile with stronger material and bolts so that the Motion sensor will be properly anchored. Follow the steps below for a safe installation:
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Remove the ceiling tile from the grid in the location where you want to install the Motion sensor. Push the tile up, then turn it sideways to slide it down through the grid
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Set the ceiling tile on a piece of plywood or a similar supporting material. Ensure the piece of plywood is the same size as the ceiling tile
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Install the base of the Motion Sensor onto the ceiling tile and plywood by drilling three holes using a power drill in both materials. Use a Phillips screwdriver to insert the three screws through the base and secure them with the bolts for extra hold.
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Install the plywood and the ceiling tile together into the ceiling grid
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Attach the Motion sensor to the base by putting it up to the base and twisting it clockwise.
Please note: Bolts and plywood are not included in the box.
Configuration
The Wireless Motion Sensor uses Heartbeat Interval (HBI) to transmit a message notifying the system that it is present and operational, which can be set to 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, or 60 min.
The sensor has two settings that can be adjusted using Studio or the API: Sensitivity and Activity Timer.
The Sensitivity setting determines how close a person has to be to the sensor, as well as how long the person has to stay within a zone before a detection event is triggered. In the highest sensitivity mode, the sensor will trigger if people quickly grace the edge of the detection zone. By default sensors ship with the highest sensitivity.
The Activity Timer shows how long a zone is considered occupied after the most recent “People detected” event. The longer the Activity Timer is, the longer the battery will last.
Battery replacement
Experiencing an installation issue?
If you have any additional questions or if any problem should occur during installation, please reach out to us.