Leviton's Infrared Motion Sensing Switch is a convenient way to turn your ordinary light switch into a "smart" switch, that "knows" when you want the light turned on and off.  How does it "know"?  Well, it senses motion.  So, when you enter the room, the light turns on.  And as soon as you leave the room, the light turns off.

Don't confuse this product with your ordinary motion-sensing floodlights that you install on your patio.  This product is not in and of itself a light.  It simply replaces your existing wall-mounted light switch so that your existing light will be automatically turned on and off.  Note that this specific model replaces a white "rocker style" switch; they have other models for other types of switches.

So, how do you use it?  Well, first you have to install it.  This is super easy for an electrician to do.  And it's moderately easy for us normal folk who don't know a thing about electricity other than the common sense "turn off the breaker before messing with it".  Basically, you remove your old wall plate. Then remove the old switch, unscrew the wires from the original switch and screw them into the new switch, then put the new switch back, followed by the wall plate. 

Next, make sure the override button is set to "auto".  This places the switch into the mode where it works automatically based upon sensing movement.  (You can also set this override button to "on" or "off" so that it acts as a normal on/off button).  Finally, set the switch's "light sensitivity".  (Decide how dark the area has to be before the light will come on)

Now, assuming you have the button set to "auto" and that the area is dark enough, walk out of the room.  More specifically, walk out of the detector's range of "vision" which is a full 180° covering 20 feet in front, and 10 feet on each side. 

When no motion is detected inside the switch's range, the switch waits a user-definable amount of time (you can choose anywhere from 15 seconds to 15 minutes), then turns off the light.  Now walk towards the switch.  As soon as you enter the covered area, the light will turn on.

I installed this gadget in the hallway between the main part of my house, and the door to the garage.  This is our main path we use to enter and exit the house.  It is so convenient that when coming home at night, all we have to do is open the door, and the hallway light comes on! Same with when we leave the house at night.  No more fumbling in the dark hallway for the doorknob.  This hallway also houses our laundry room.  I find it very convenient to have the laundry room lit whenever I'm working in it.  As long as I'm moving around in there, the light stays on.  Occasionally it turns off while I'm still in there.  At that point, I can either wave my arms around to get its attention, or decide just to use the manual override switch, to force the light to stay on.

The detector is extremely sensitive and has never failed to work.  In other words, I've never walked into its range, and had the light fail to come on.  Same with the other direction.  Upon leaving the hallway, the light has always turned off after the set amount of time.  Basically, this product has worked flawlessly for me.

I recommend it, for any area of your home where a "smart" light switch would be a convenience.


GE 11242 Motion Sensing Light

Recommended: Yes