Is this part of a security system? (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 year ago by CatfishSushi@lemmy.world to c/whatisthisthing@lemmy.world

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We bought a new house but haven't moved in yet. The previous owners moved out months ago. What is this thing in the corner of the living room? They may have had a security system by ADT in the past. They have a Ring doorbell. I don't plan to sign a contract with ADT. Any ideas? Should I try to uninstall it or cover it in the meantime?

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[-] oatscoop@midwest.social 30 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

It's an infrared motion sensor. They're not like cameras -- they can only detect "movement" when something warm moves in front of them. It's probably part of the old security system, and if the system is disabled it's not "spying" on you. They're also used for automatic lights.

[-] CatfishSushi@lemmy.world 9 points 1 year ago

I thought it might be something like that. I may uninstall it anyway as it's not particularly attractive.

[-] someguy@lemmyland.com 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

You can use it with a different security system/company if you want, rather than only ADT.

[-] merde@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago

or you can use it just to turn the lights on. In the winter when it gets dark earlier, it would be useful

[-] mom@nom.mom 2 points 1 year ago

I know this is an older post, but I thought I'd chime in with my thoughts.

This looks like an IR motion detector. What it looks like to me, at least. It looks like something that would sense the rebound of ir light as it passes from one area of the room to the next... It could be part of a security system, that I'm not positive about - we've never had an ADT system, but we do use the motion of sensors for home security as well as automation.

(Source: we have motion sensors for our automated house.)

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this post was submitted on 19 Jul 2023

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