Security Lighting Ideas – Tips and Considerations
I am going to give you some security lighting ideas.
Security lighting is one the best preventative measure that you can take for home security. This may include outdoor motion lights or lights that simply stay on all night, or any other lighting for burglary deterrence and nighttime security purposes. Peace of mind. Safety and security.
Why is security lighting so important? Because burglars/intruders, no matter their intention, do not like lights on at night. Pretty common sensible, right? It will expose them and will most certainly deter.
Security Lighting Ideas
First of all, I am a big fan of outdoor motion lights. As opposed to “always on” lights, a motion light will alert you (if you notice) that something’s moving outside…
My absolute favorite model (of which I have installed quite a few) is this one:
Note: This outdoor motion light senses 180° out to 60-feet!
…and has an additional sensor 360° down & all around (total coverage).
>> RAB Super Stealth (white)
(view on amzn)
>> RAB Super Stealth (brown)
I wrote about the reasons why I firmly believe these are the best in the following article:
[ Read: RAB Motion Lights | It Has The Best Sensor Of Them All ]
Mount Security Lighting High Enough
Security lighting should be mounted high and out of reach from vandalism. Sometimes a would-be burglar will preemptively sneak by your home while you’re away (at work?) and unscrew the bulbs just enough so they won’t come on at night. So if possible, mount them high enough so they can’t be reached without a ladder. Another reason is so the sensors can’t be pushed upward, so that they can’t sense anything but the sky…
Vandal Resistant Security Lighting
A rock or other object thrown at the light may break the bulb. Or again, someone could unscrew the bulb. They make specific “vandal resistant” light fixtures to mitigate those issues. Here’s an example of what I’m talking about:
>> Vandal Resistant Security Light
(view on amzn)
The More Lights the Better…
Common sense. Cover all avenues with light. Multiple lights of medium intensity will usually be better than fewer lights with high intensity. Why? Because more lights will bathe more areas. Strategic positioning. The technique will also provide more redundancy if one of the bulbs burn out for example.
Protect The Wiring
It is important to protect the wiring to your lighting in order to prevent tampering or disabling. Use conduit and/or bury wiring underground where possible. If wire is exposed, it can be snipped / cut.
Multiple Electrical Circuits
For multiple lighting, it is best to use multiple electrical circuits when installing security lighting in several areas. If one circuit trips out, you still have other live circuits to provide lighting.
Locked Outdoor Electrical Box
Check to be sure that the electric meter box is locked as well as the outdoor ‘mains’ circuit breaker box.
This was meant to give you some ideas. Here are a few more articles on the subject that you might be interested in:
Best Locations For Security Motion Lights
The Best Way To Setup Outdoor Motion Lights
The Best LED Replacement Flood Light For Outdoor Motion Light
Security lighting is a primary first defense against intruders. It should be one of your initial actions when it comes to your home security.
Another dimension to think about is security lighting for cameras. Consider how added lights can augment the range or enhance the images the cameras can see at night.
Many outdoor cameras have some built-in infrared (IR) illumination that enables them to “see” 40-60 feet in total darkness. But those built-in IR LEDs are pretty wimpy. Add either regular white light or if you want the camera surveillance to remain stealthy to all but those employing electronic means to obverse your castle, much higher power IR illumination can be installed and permit these cameras to see far more distantly.
You can also separate the cameras and lights and have a very stealthy camera peeking through a hole that is almost undetectable. Image quality also generally improved when the lighting is mounted away from the camera. Regular photography folks like to get the flash off and away from the camera and the reasons hold true here as well.
I need to put up a few more security lights. One thing about these units with PAR bulbs is they can be easily broken. I have noticed a number of LED (cob) Stadium lights with 300 Watts output that seem to be more robust and less subject to being broken. Anyone have experience with these?
Hey Ken, these are on my wish list based on your rave reviews about them. I have several areas far away from power sources and am looking at solar security lighting for them. Any recommendations for those?
Consider the LEPOWER 35W LED Security Lights Motion Sensor Light Outdoor, 3500LM Motion Security Light, 5500K, IP65 Waterproof, 3 Head Motion Detected Flood Light.
[edit: amazon link ]
It’s 1/3 the price of the ones listed, now $31.44, have an amazing 3500 lumens, 3 sets of lights instead of 2, 5500 Kelvin so they’re very white.
I have 3 sets of them and they’re blindingly bright. And you can have one set of LED’s facing left, one right, and one straight ahead. No brainer in my opinion.