If you’re considering security light installation at your home, there is a bit to think about. Firstly, you need to choose the right product, but the most important aspect is installation. Many people worry about the security light installation cost, but in this article, we’ll explore why choosing qualified, licensed professionals for this work is so important.
What are security lights?
Security lights are used in homes or businesses to offer extra protection against unwanted visitors. According to Budget Direct, Australia has the 7th highest rate of burglary in the world. It makes sense that a lot of burglaries occur at night, because perpetrators are less likely to be seen and identified. That’s where security lights come in.
Security lights are connected to motion sensors that detect movement in a specific area. Once movement is detected, the light turns on, acting as a deterrent for criminals. The fact is, many burglaries are opportunistic in the sense that criminals will search a local area for dark homes that are easy to break into.
Installing a security light makes your home more difficult to enter. That alone is often enough to discourage burglars, and adding security cameras greatly increases your safety.
The best placement for security lights
One major thing to consider when you install motion sensor lights is the placement. Ideally, the best place for security lights is around common access points like the front and back doors. However, windows are also used by criminals to enter homes, so you’ll need to take that into consideration.
You should be placing sensor lights at various points around your home, ensuring that nobody can move around your yard without a light turning on. This offers the best protection, but you do need to consider neighbours.
If you’re using high-powered motion sensor lights, ensure they’re not aimed at your neighbour’s windows, as this can greatly irritate people during the night. Some sensor lights are very sensitive and might pick up the movement of animals, too, so you don’t want your neighbours being blasted with bright lights every time a possum runs along the fence.
Why do I need an electrician to install security lights?
So many products on the market today are advertised as ‘plug and play’. This usually gives you the impression that items are extremely easy to install yourself, and you won’t need any extra help. However, when it comes to anything electrical, there are several reasons why you should always hire a local electrician in Carina Heights or your relevant area.
Safety
Any work involving the wiring in your house should be undertaken with extreme caution. Live currents can cause serious injury, so this always needs to be checked. Your mains power should be turned off before working on anything electrical. Plus, you need the right equipment to ensure the job is done safely, and most people don’t carry voltage checkers and other safety gear that an electrician has.
Correct installation procedures
Naturally, if you’re installing a sensor light outdoors, the weather is going to be a concern. The first step is choosing a unit with the right IP rating to ensure it’s suitable for outdoor use. But the major part is ensuring all wiring and electrical housing is installed properly. If not, you risk a couple of scenarios.
Firstly, and least importantly, you may do all the work and find that the sensor light doesn’t work as intended. But the more serious concern is installing your light incorrectly and causing injury to yourself, damage to the light or even worse, damage to your home’s wiring.
Maintaining product warranties
Most product warranties cover faulty items but don’t cover faulty workmanship. If you buy a sensor light and choose to install it yourself, you can often risk voiding the warranty. Of course, every product is different, but many warranties require products to be installed by licensed professionals. So, if you try a DIY installation and damage the light, you’ll likely be out of pocket.
Insurance concerns
We might be moving to the worst-case scenario here, but let’s imagine your DIY sensor light installation causes a wiring issue. If this caused a fire or any other type of damage to your home’s electrical system, the results could be disastrous. Now, imagine lodging an insurance claim for the damage, only to find the insurance company won’t’ pay because unlicensed electrical works caused the fire. Isn’t it better to find an affordable electrician for your security light installation? A few dollars spent today could prevent a financial and personal disaster down the track.
Looking for quality security light installation in Carina Heights?
If you’d like some extra security around your home or business, but don’t know where to start, the team at Sorted Electrical is happy to help. Not only can we help you choose the right security light for your premises, but we’ll also install it right the first time. No need to worry about safety, insurance or anything else, because we’re fully licensed and experienced. Contact us today to find out how we can help.
