Short answer: good security lighting should reveal people, routes and hazards without creating glare or wasting energy. Use PIR motion control when light is needed after movement, day/night control when a light should operate automatically after dark, and solar lighting when running a mains cable is difficult.
PIR vs day/night sensor: what is the difference?
| Control | What triggers it | Best use | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIR motion sensor | Movement of heat sources through the detection zones | Driveways, entrances, side passages, short-duration security light | False triggering, poor aiming, blocked detection |
| Day/night sensor | Ambient light level | Entrance or perimeter light that should come on after dark | Light shining back onto the sensor |
| Timer | Time schedule | Predictable operating hours | Seasonal sunset changes |
| Manual switch | User action | Task or occasional outdoor use | No automatic operation |
| Integrated solar sensor light | Solar charge + built-in control logic | Remote areas without convenient mains wiring | Battery autonomy and panel exposure |
Where should outdoor security lights be placed?
Start with the places where a person approaches or moves through the property:
- gate and pedestrian entrance;
- driveway and garage door;
- front and back doors;
- side passages;
- steps and level changes;
- dark service areas;
- outbuildings or remote parking.
The goal is useful identification and safe movement. A light directly behind a visitor can create a silhouette; a badly aimed floodlight can blind a camera or neighbour while leaving the actual approach path difficult to see.
Motion sensors
Whitehouse currently stocks products including the Flash White Infrared Motion Sensor IP44 and Flash Black Infrared Motion Sensor IP44.
Sensor installation should follow the exact product detection range, mounting height and environmental rating. The detection zone shown in a product diagram is more useful than assuming every PIR sensor covers the same distance.
Day/night control
A day/night sensor is useful when the requirement is simple: switch a compatible circuit based on ambient light level. The Radiant Day & Night Sensor 25A is an example from the current Whitehouse range.
Whitehouse also stocks sensor bulbs such as the Flash 6W LED A60 Day/Night Sensor Bulb B22 and Flash 6W LED A60 Day/Night Sensor Bulb E27 for compatible applications.
Solar security lighting
Solar lighting can be particularly useful at a gate, shed, rear boundary or other location where a mains cable route is inconvenient.
Examples include WHL&E 35W IP54 Solar Camera Light With Sensor, O-Lite Solar 10W LED Wall Lamp With Sensor and Luxn 100W Solar Floodlight.
Whitehouse Security Light Placement Checklist
| Zone | What the light should reveal | Control to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Gate | Faces, lock, pedestrian area | Day/night or motion depending on desired behaviour |
| Driveway | Vehicles, pedestrians and edges | Motion sensor / controlled floodlight |
| Front door | Face and step detail | Wall light, controlled automatic operation |
| Side passage | Path and potential obstacles | Motion-controlled directional light |
| Garage | Door, driveway apron and access route | Motion sensor or day/night depending on use |
| Back garden | Specific approach routes rather than entire sky | Sensor floodlight or targeted solar light |
Avoid the “brightest floodlight wins” approach
More lumens do not automatically produce better security. Extremely bright fittings mounted too low can create glare and deep shadows. Select output, beam direction and mounting based on the area that must actually be seen.
Outdoor ratings still matter
Security lighting often faces rain, dust and temperature changes. Check the product's IP rating and exact installation instructions. IP65, for example, is commonly used for exposed outdoor fittings, but a rating should never be assumed from appearance alone. See LEDVANCE's IP explanation.
Frequently asked questions
Should security lights stay on all night?
Not necessarily. Some locations benefit from low-level dusk-to-dawn lighting while others are better served by motion-triggered light. The correct strategy depends on visibility, neighbours, cameras, energy use and the property layout.
Can PIR sensors detect through glass?
Many conventional PIR sensors are intended to detect changes in infrared radiation within their designed field and may not perform as expected through glazing. Follow the exact manufacturer's installation requirements.
Are solar floodlights reliable enough for security?
They can be, but assess solar exposure, battery capacity, control mode and expected poor-weather autonomy. Reliability should be judged over the worst relevant conditions, not only a sunny test day.
Related guides
Compare power approaches in Solar vs Wired Garden Lights and prepare electrical protection with Summer Storm Electrical Safety.
Technical note: product selection and calculations in this guide are planning information, not a substitute for site-specific electrical, engineering or solar design. Fixed electrical work should be carried out and certified by appropriately qualified persons where required.
Need it before the next hot spell?
Whitehouse Lighting & Electrical dispatches from Trichardt, Secunda and delivers throughout South Africa. Eligible paid, in-stock weekday orders placed before 15:00 are ordinarily dispatched the same working day. Typical delivery is approximately 1–3 working days to main centres and 2–6 working days to regional or outlying areas.
Qualifying standard-size orders of R1,500 or more receive free standard delivery. Oversized, heavy, battery, solar-panel and special-freight products may require a separate delivery arrangement. See the current shipping policy for full terms.
