What's the best PIR sensor?

[NeverDie]

Interestingly, this guy pours cold water on panasonic's claim to 1ua current: http://too-many-projects.blogspot.com/2015/08/adventures-in-low-power-pir-sensors.html
He also identifies the AM322 as having an average current of about 29uA. However, I can't be sure that's accurate because of the way he measures it using an Extech DMM. I suspect a more careful measurement would show it to be higher, at which point it would become a wash with the more commonly available options that reputedly consume around 50uA.

I looked on Digikey for the panasonic PIR, but it seems that they're sold out on the type they claim consumes 1ua. Digikey does have plentyof the panasonic types that consume 170ua though. Digikey's price for the 1uA is around $16 (if they had it). If the number isn't bogus, I think it' may be worth the price. Solar is an alternative, but it's not without issues that could be sidestepped by a 1uA device.

[NeverDie]

Visonic sells the 2000C/PC PIR sensor, which consumes 4uA at 9v but costs around $65 plus shipping. It's a fully built sensor though and so hookup would be very easy. Likewise the Opotex EX-35R claims to consume 3.5uA while in standby (http://www.securitywarehouse.co.uk/brochure/EX_35 series.pdf) It can be had for about $40 plus shipping. Or there's the VX-402R, which I've previously owned (the plastic yellowed markedly from sun UV) for >$100 and it claims to consume <10uA: https://www.google.com/search?q=vx-402r&newwindow=1&biw=1280&bih=554&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0CHsQ_AUoAWoVChMIjLKC567WxwIVwpMNCh2jagOS#imgrc=V9ZE8BKtwmzC5M%3A
Here's a youtube on how to connect the VX-402R wirelessly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30G5iMZ6sxQ

[NeverDie]

Here's another one to add to the list: IRS-B340ST02

Used here: http://advanceddevices.com/sites/default/files/documents/AN311_MOTION_SENSOR_BASED_ON_STM300.pdf

In addition, Honeywell claims up to a 7 year battery life (from just one CR123 3v Lithium battery) for its PIR: http://library.ademconet.com/MWT/fs2/5800PIR-RES/5800PIR-Series-Data-sheet.PDF
Not bad.

[pyrodetector]

Hello.
It is not a question which PIR sensor is the best. The question is that who will sell it to you? There are a number of manufacturers which produce high-end pyroelectric detectors, but they don't sell them to private persons. Good quality lithium tantalate pyroelectric detector which you can use in instrumentation, costs approximately from 150 to 500 USD, and even higher. I know one supplier who sells their products worldwide. That is

http://silverlight.ch/order_detectors.php

Choose the last detector Model 446M2-3 and you will be happy. This is a "BMW" pyroelectric detector. If you have a bag of money, you, probably, can order "BMW" detectors from these people

http://www.scitec.uk.com/infrared_detectors/irsensors_ordering.php?Submit1=Buy+Now

In general, lithium tantalate pyroelectric detectors are not sold to private persons. Mouser, Farnell, and other distributors do not sell such things. They can sell only cheap detectors based on ceramics that are unable to be used in instrumentation.

If you have questions about pyroelectric detectors, I may try to help you. Contact me at

https://sites.google.com/site/pyrodetector/

My research relates to mathematical modelling of pyroelectric detectors. I develop simulators for "BMW" detectors.
I hope, this helps.
Kind regards.

[alexsh1]

By far the best PIR is Panasonic EKMB1201111 - 2uA
The problem is the price

[gohan]

the good question would be "what is the best pir sensor with an affordable price" that can be used for DIY :)

[pyrodetector]

"what is the best pir sensor with an affordable price" that can be used for DIY
If you want to do a thing by yourself, with a PIR sensor being cheap, you had better choose a PIR sensor from this manufacturer
http://kube.ch/pyroelectric/index.php
Read how they test their PIR sensors under humid environmental conditions
http://kube.ch/downloads/pdf/kube_sensors_stability.pdf
If a sensor is extremely cheap and is not sealed properly, moisture when comes in, just short-circuit the high-megohm pyroelectric sensitive element. No need to explain further...
You can buy a high-quality ceramic PIR sensor from KUBE for less than 10 euro. Lower price (10 euro for a bag full of PIR sensors) will give the low quality. You will be upset from the low quality longer than happy from the low price.

[alexsh1]

@pyrodetector it is €50 for a demonstrator
Wow! I'll stick to Panasonic :-)

[gohan]

@alexsh1 Panasonic is around 20€ just for sensor, then you will have to build the pcb with all components, right?

[alexsh1]

@gohan sure, I got mine for $19 plus components and the case. And if you consider a good quality 3D printed case l, it is alone can be €15-20.

However, my PIR is nowhere near €50 given that all other components are cheap. I am only using it indoors. All I'm trying to say is that €50 is a level of z-wave devices. Aeon Multisensor is €55 - you get 6-in-1 sensor and not just PIR

[gohan]

Agreed, over 50€ is price range for commercial zwave (or similar) products and you would not even get near the level of compactness with a DIY cheaper solution

[scalz]

@gohan
depends what you mean by diy ;)
if this is using cheap ali modules and stacking them, i agree. Else, soon, let me show how it can be more tiny :) That said rev1 of my multisensors is already tiny.

[gohan]

If you can make a comparable multisensor like the fibaro motion sensor with a 2 years battery life, I'm happy for you :D

[alexsh1]

@gohan yeah, major limitation for me is designing and printing a nice enclosure. I have recently finished a Geiger sensor. Cost of parts is not massive. The most expensive was the Geiger-Muller tube - £15. Printing an enclosure in SLS was £55. Ouch!!!
It does look nice, but the cost is just prohibitive

[gohan]

@alexsh1 agreed, with today's cost of a rather cheap 3D printer, you could repay it within 15-20 printed boxes :D

[alexsh1]

@gohan not in SLS. If you have to have a final product, the cost of printer is way too high. Needless to say that it looks like Xerox back in the 1980s :-)

[gohan]

Over here we are mostly talking about DIY stuff, and many times don't even have a box, so an ABS 3D printed box is close enough for a final product :D

[alexsh1]

@gohan perhaps it is me, but I'm perfectionist. If I have a node, it has to be perfect. And as a final product, that's the way it should be. When designing a prototype, ABS/PLA is fine, but it does not look like a finished product. Sorry

[pyrodetector]

@alexsh1 Why do you need a 50 euro demonstrator? A PIR sensor has 3 outputs: +, output, common. There is a 47K resistor between output and common. The circuit of an alarm sensor is very simple. Next, you can either make an alarm sensor using a circuit for example taken from here

http://unhas.ac.id/tahir/BAHAN-KULIAH/ELIN/NEW/AlarmSensorandSecurityCircuitCookbook.pdf

page 230 (you can use any ceramic PIR sensor instead of Model 5192 on lithium tantalate described by the author), or connect it directly to an A/D converter, and "play digits".

You can order good quality dual ceramic PIR sensors at kube.ch or
http://www.excelitas.com/Pages/Product/Pyroelectric-Detectors-and-Sensors.aspx
Remember that no name manufacturers give no name quality.

Want to know more about how PIR sensors work? Feel free to ask me.
https://sites.google.com/site/pyrodetector/
If I am skilled (if your question relates to a PIR sensor itself), I will help. Otherwise, I may try to help you, at least, by saying what I think about your problem. Good luck:)

[alexsh1]

@pyrodetector that was exactly my point. Way too expensive

I have checked the web-site your provided and I can see their prices for PIRs are not too bad (exVAT and exWorks):

http://kube.ch/downloads/pdf/kube_pricelist.pdf