All motion sensor switches can be disabled or turned off, whether for alarms or the lights in your house.
However, disabling isn’t exactly an overriding feature.
You may want to operate motion sensors while regulating the associated and triggered functions based on your current needs.
Here’s how you can override a motion sensor switch:
- Choose an appropriate mode.
- Use a motion sensor switch’s override feature.
- Change the range, time, and other relevant settings.
- Add an override switch to the wiring or circuit.
These methods may work for any motion sensor, be it passive infrared, microwave, ultrasonic, or dual-technology.
However, motor sensors or control panels aren’t identical, nor are their switches.
This guide details four practical methods to override a motion sensor switch.
1. Choose an Appropriate Mode
You may have a motion sensor with two or more modes.
These modes offer a built-in override feature. Take the Intermatic occupancy/vacancy sensors, for example.
These in-wall motion sensors use passive infrared technology and have three modes for manual selection.
The three modes are Auto, Occupancy (OCC), and Vacancy (VAC).
You’ll find the switch for these modes on the internal control panel.
Remove the cover plate from the in-wall Intermatic sensor, check the switch, and choose a mode that suits your current needs.
Toggle the switch to the Auto mode to keep the motion sensor on with a walk-through feature.
This option will turn the lights on or off based on occupancy and facilitate a walk-through per the preset time and range settings. Choose OCC for the lights to stay on or VAC to turn them off.
Motion sensors or detectors in security systems and alarms don’t necessarily operate any lights unless you have an outdoor model with a connected or onboard floodlight.
Take a Ring Doorbell motion sensor, for example.
You can disable the passive infrared sensor through the app.
Here’s a short video to help you disable Ring’s motion detection feature:
2. Use a Motion Sensor Switch’s Override Feature
A few motion sensor switches have a manual override feature.
This function usually requires you to turn the motion sensor switch on and off in quick succession.
The pattern may vary among brands and models.
Check the owner’s manual for the pattern for your motion sensor switch.
You can override some of the older motion sensor switches by turning them on, off, on, and off in a second or two.
This pattern turns off the sensor and keeps the lights on.
You can turn the motion sensor switch to the on position when you want the device to regulate your lights again.
Contemporary motion sensor switches may not be compatible with or have such an override feature.
These switching patterns have an inherent problem.
Your motion sensor switch may not differentiate between an intended manual action and power fluctuation causing the same effect.
Thus, your lights may remain on if the motion sensor switch is overridden inadvertently.
3. Change the Range, Time, and Other Relevant Settings
You may not need to override a motion sensor switch if the control panel allows you to choose an appropriate range and time to serve your dynamic needs.
Let’s use the example of the Intermatic DSR sensor again. It has two adjustable features, range and time.
You can adjust the range to cover anywhere from 0% to 100% of its coverage capacity.
The maximum coverage can keep your lights turned on even if you are a few feet or meters away from the sensor on the wall.
The time adjustment has a similar effect, too.
You can increase the time delay for the lights to go off after being turned on.
Use the maximum time delay if required.
Here’s a short video to help you adjust the range and time:
Not all motion sensors have such relevant settings or modes, of course.
Also, the specific range and the maximum time you can keep the lights turned on may vary among brands and models.
Ring and other brands have such features, too.
You can adjust the range or field of view and other relevant settings to make motion detection as limited or expansive as you need.
4. Add an Override Switch to the Wiring or Circuit
If the three previous methods don’t apply to your motion sensor or detection device, the last option is to add an override switch to the wiring or circuit.
This method isn’t complicated, but you need an additional switch, wires, and a few essential tools.
The concept is simple.
You install a switch between the power supply lines and the motion sensor switch.
A terminal of this override switch should connect to the motion sensor.
Another terminal of the override switch should connect to the motion sensor and the lights.
Thus, when you turn the override switch to the terminal connected to the motion sensor, the device works normally with all its applicable settings, including the adjustments.
When you turn the override switch to the terminal connected to the motion sensor switch and the lights, the device stays on with all its modes and settings, and so do your lights.
Furthermore, you may use a switch with three terminals.
- One terminal can turn on the motion sensor.
- Another terminal can turn off the motion sensor switch.
- The third terminal can turn on the motion sensor switch and the lights so that both work simultaneously.
You can use the circuit diagrams in this video to wire your motion sensor override switch:
You may also consider solutions like the Top Greener TSOS5 In-Wall PIR Motion Sensor Light Switch on Amazon.com that has an override feature, and you get three modes: Off, Auto, and On. You’ll effectively have a motion sensor switch with an integrated override mode.
Consider the Top Greener TDOS5-J-W Motion Sensor Switch if you want a built-in override feature without requiring a neutral wire.
This model is a push-button switch with a control panel under the cover plate, similar to Intermatic’s sensors.
Intermatic has a few motion sensor switches with a manual override feature.
The Intermatic iOS-DSIF-WH Motion Sensor on Amazon.com has an in-wall switch with Off, Auto, and On modes, 980 sq ft (91 sq m) coverage area spanning 150°, and is available in white and ivory.
Final Thoughts
Check the motion sensor switch and control panel you have right now.
Toggle the modes and adjust the relevant settings if these options exist.
Otherwise, you have to install an override switch or get a new motion sensor that already has this feature, like the cited products.