Description
The Westek MLC4BC Plug-in Motion Activated Light Control is a combination of a sensor and an outlet in a single device.
Positionally, the sensor can be fixed into a top wall socket and still have a lead to the lower socket. The sensor can perform its function of switching the room lights on from that position.
The Westek MLC4BCis a fairly sized sensor and has the capability of detecting motion within 25 feet in a 100-degree radius.
Structure and Appearance
The dimensions of the MLC4BC are 3.8 x 2.6 x 0.35 inches. It weighs approximately two ounces.
As it were, a classy design is not one of the strengths of the external features of the MLC4BC. Therefore, if you are particular about décor, you may be a little hesitant about using this sensor. On the bright side, you should be able to blend the white texture into a contemporary home. Also, recolouring is an available option.
Among the sensor options listed here, the MLC4BC ranks as the most simple to install. It is a plug-and-play motion sensor. You have no need to fix and wire manually, just plug it into a suitable outlet and you are good to go. However, this also means that the device can be easily carted away if the location it is set up is not secure. Also note that most, if not all portable quick setup devices, unfortunately, have this characteristic of ‘Can be stolen’ easily.
Another beneficial feature of the Westek MLC4BC is that it has a flexible timer setting. Instead of sticking to a one-way setting, the shut-off timer is adjustable to as quick as 1 minute and more if you please.
Extra Capabilities
Westek MLC4BC can work easily with incandescent and LED bulbs. Just plug it in and it starts working with these bulbs. However, to use this feature, you must have a wall socket placed in an appropriate position to detect the motion you want it to detect.
Inasmuch as you would not need sensor batteries because the sensor is already attached to a power source (making it more cost-effective), the Westek MLC4BC’s repositioning is also limited.
Overall, the Westek MLC4BC is a very good plug-in motion sensor. Irrespective of the time of day, this sensor is up to it.
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How to Choose the Right Motion Sensor Plug-in Outlets
Having a clear and basic grasp of what best suits your home or office with regard to security and comfort is always the start in choosing the right motion sensor. Once you have identified your preference — based on your peculiarity or need —, the next step is to try as much as you can to be sure you can manage or avoid unexpected occurrences that could accompany the choice that you have made. Practically, this means that you should consider carefully, where the sensor will be placed, how frequently the sensor is likely to be used, and the sort of gadgets or devices that the sensor will be connected with. We consider these below:
Compatible Wattage
People commonly use motion sensor plugs and other indoor motion detectors for basic functions, such as to turn the bathroom, bedroom, hallway or kitchen lights on automatically. On the other hand, you can also switch on your smart TV, tea kettle and even a radio device automatically with the right plug-in motion sensor.
If the only thing you are intending to power is a few light bulbs, you do not have to bother yourself about the overall wattage that your motion sensor plug supports. However, if your intention is to connect larger devices to your motion sensor, then it is different. In that case, you must make sure that the plug’s capacity can comfortably handle large amounts of current.
From the higher level, you are likely to have plugs that support wattage for up to and around 360W. This is the cap at least for most domestic usages, except you seek higher power capacity plugs for use on specialized technical equipment.
Also, you have wattage, which is supported at, in and around 250W, when your sensor installations do not have to consider hard wiring.
Performance and Position of Sensor
Your sensor may have to be wired into an outlet, it might also be wired away from the outlet, or it could be run with a wireless connection to the outlet. This all depends on the device that you want to use it with.
In the market, the top wireless sensor outlets can stretch over 100ft of connectivity. At the other end of the market, the units of lower capacity can reach up to 50 feet of connectivity. To make the right choice, you will have to consider two things.
First, you will have to think about where movement will take place, and second, the location from where the sensor can be positioned to pick up motion.
Building sensors into wall sockets are a great way of preventing theft. However, this purpose is totally defeated in a situation where the wall socket is not placed or located in a good position where it can properly detect motion.
A range of around 30 feet detection of motion is what most motion sensors can cover. A motion sensor device’s sensitivity can sometimes be over or a little under, depending on the way it is built.
In most cases, it is preferable to have a sensor being a tad under-sensitive. The idea is the line between a switch taking an additional second before activating and a needless activation when there is no one actually entering the motion space.
Off-time Adjustability
Several motion sensor plug-ins do not provide the user with the leisure to make changes to the switch timer. The question then is, “What happens when there is no motion?” If you cannot adjust this timer, the motion sensor off-time ceiling is probably on the high, say, 10 minutes. Moreover, if you can make any changes to this, it might be for power saving – a minute or two minutes timer. Thus, having an option to adjust the sensor off-timer is very important.
Installation Difficulty
We have sensors that are plug and play devices. All you have to do is plug them into an available outlet, and you are all set. Some other motion sensors need to be properly installed on a wall replacing an electrical power socket.
Overall, not one of these kinds of installations are particularly hard to perform, in comparison, some installation difficulties outweigh others. It becomes worse if the instructions available to you are not adequate.
Sensor Build and Appearance
If you are one of those conscious about home decorations, aesthetics are usually one of the things you might consider before purchasing anything to set in your home. However, if your sensor is going to be hung in a closet or shed, the style of the sensor may not influence your choice.
Traditionally, motion sensors are typically manufactured from white matte plastic. This colour, however, can be changed easily by painting or any form of recolouring. In some cases though, they are made of well designed plastic mixed with glass. The colour of these plastics is harder to alter. So, when you want to choose wall socket-based motion sensor plugs, this is one thing you need to put into consideration.
The structural design and size of your motion sensor plug can cause a blockage to other wall sockets. Though this might be caused by both the socket position plus the sensor device, plugging some gadgets into electrical sockets will one way or the other restrict their availability of use by other devices. Have this in mind when choosing a motion sensor.
