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I'm trying to trigger a motion sensor on a door (for fun and to learn more about these systems) using Arduino based electronics (ca 5V, ca 50mA). According to Wikipedia, these sensors (PIR sensors, passive infrared sensors) work at >8-14000nm wavelengths - can these be tripped using an Arduino as power supply - in theory / practice, or are there good reasons why this is a futile fun experiment to start with? I'm guessing a common infrared diode will not do the trick (ca 1000nm).

user2305193
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    use a TV remote control to try your idea – jsotola Sep 01 '20 at 00:54
  • If you are a Position IR or Remote IR newbie, you might find the following two answers useful (1) https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/questions/113016/rpi-pir-motion-sensor-hc-sr501-always-reads-high-why (2) https://raspberrypi.stackexchange.com/questions/103452/rpi3-lirc-library-and-uart-ir-transceiver-setup-problem Cheers. – tlfong01 Sep 01 '20 at 02:05
  • I found a [duplicate](https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/65436/can-i-electronically-trigger-a-pir-motion-sensor/189131) of this actually, @jsotola this will not work - and shouldn't - even at higher power levels. Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I found there is literally no feasible way to generate electromagnetic oscillations at frequencies 8-14um wavelengths for electronic enthusiasts (e.g. without extremely dangerous levels of voltages) and with low power output (i.e. just enough to trip a PIR sensor). – user2305193 Sep 01 '20 at 13:36
  • the sensor detects body heat, the motion of a warm object, to be exact ... maybe it can be fooled with a power resistor across a battery, or a light bulb – jsotola Sep 01 '20 at 14:49

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These devices are sensitive at about 1Hz, try a blinking incandescent lightbulb with a reflector behind it.

If it doesn't work it might be between zones: try relocating it left or right a bit.

A person has a thermal brightness of about 100W but the reflector should boost a 3W lamp enough that it can be seen by the sensor.

Jasen Слава Україні
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