Troubleshooting Common Motion Sensor Issues

Tools You’ll Need

• Smartphone or PC with Brinks Home App access
• Step ladder or sturdy stool
• Small flat-head or Phillips screwdriver
• Replacement batteries (per your sensor model)
• Soft cloth or compressed air (for cleaning contacts)

Moving Your Sensor

Goal: Reposition your sensor for optimal coverage.

1. Disarm your system.

   Use your alarm panel or the Brinks Home App to select “Disarm” or “Test” mode.

2. Identify your sensor type.
   • Hardwired (no batteries, wired into wall)
   • Wireless (battery-powered)
   • Outdoor (weatherproof enclosure)
3. Remove the sensor:
   • Loosen the mounting screws with your screwdriver.
   • Carefully lift the sensor off its bracket.
4. Choose a new location:
   • Mount 6–8 ft high for best coverage.
   • Avoid ceiling fans, vents, direct sunlight, and reflective surfaces.
5. Reinstall sensor:
   • Align the bracket and tighten screws firmly.
   • Snap the sensor back onto the bracket.
6. Test detection:

   Walk through the sensor’s field of view while monitoring events in the Brinks Home App. Confirm motion is logged.

7. Re-arm your system via panel or Brinks Home App.

Stopping False Alarms

Goal: Eliminate nuisance triggers.

1. Check for a zone translator.

   If your panel uses a translator module, follow the Zone Translator guide first.

2. Verify distance.

   If the sensor is more than 50 ft from the panel, you may need a second system or a wireless repeater.

3. Inspect sensor and mount:
   • Hardwired: Look for loose/damaged wires; tighten or replace as needed.
   • Wireless/Outdoor: Check for cracks, insects, or moisture. Dry and clean contacts.
   • Ensure correct height (6–8 ft) and slightly downward angle.
4. Adjust sensitivity.

   Set DIP switches or App sensitivity to a lower level, then monitor for 24 hrs in the Brinks Home App.

5. Perform the “hat test.”

   1. Cover the sensor face with a hat or cloth.
   2. Arm your system in the Brinks Home App.
   3. Wait 24 hrs—if it still false-alarms, schedule a technician; if not, adjust position or upgrade to pet-immune.

Recovering from Loss of Supervision

Goal: Bring your sensor back online.

1. Translator check.

   If you use a zone translator, follow its troubleshooting steps first.

2. Hardwired sensors:
   • Inspect all wire connections and endpoints for damage.
   • If you cannot restore supervision, convert to wireless or book a technician.
3. Wireless/Outdoor sensors:
   1. Replace the battery if a low-battery alert preceded the loss.
   2. Ensure the sensor is within 40 ft of the panel or install a repeater.
   3. Open the sensor, clean any corrosion with a soft cloth, then re-assemble.
   4. Remove and re-add the sensor as a new zone in the Brinks Home App, then test.
   5. If still offline, request a replacement sensor or technician visit.

Replacing a Low Battery

Goal: Clear low-battery alerts and restore normal operation.

1. Hardwired:

   No battery—unless via translator. If the translator generated the alert, follow its guide.

2. Wireless/Outdoor:
   1. Confirm your last battery change was over 3 months ago; replace with the specified battery.
   2. Reset the sensor: remove cover, take out battery, press tamper switch 10 times, reinstall battery and cover.
   3. Test detection; the alert should clear. If not, delete and re-add the sensor as a new zone in the Brinks Home App.
   4. Persistent low-battery? We’ll ship you a new sensor.

Fixing Unexpected Triggers

Goal: Prevent your sensor from activating when it shouldn’t.

1. Panel compatibility:

   Ensure your sensor model is supported by your panel. If not, request a compatible unit.

2. Translator & distance:

   If the sensor is more than 50 ft from the panel, add a translator or install a secondary system.

3. Sensor setup:
   • Hardwired:
     1. Verify programming in the alarm panel menu.
     2. Inspect and secure all wire connections.
     3. Set sensitivity to High.
   • Wireless/Outdoor:
     1. Confirm correct programming in the Brinks Home App.
     2. Resolve any low-battery or supervision errors first.
     3. Press the tamper switch near the panel—if it responds, distance is the issue.
     4. Delete and re-add the sensor as a new zone in the Brinks Home App; then adjust sensitivity & position and retest.
4. Monitor for 24 hrs:

   If random triggers persist, consider a pet-immune or different model, or schedule a technician.

Fixing Intermittent Triggers

Goal: Ensure consistent detection.

1. Translator check:

   If you have a translator, see its guide; otherwise continue below.

2. Wiring & distance:

   Hardwired: tighten wires. Wireless: keep within 40 ft or add a repeater.

3. Battery & corrosion:

   Replace old battery, clean contacts, then test for stable operation in the Brinks Home App.

4. Sensitivity & view:

   Set to High, angle away from heat, fans, or moving objects, and monitor for 48 hrs in the Brinks Home App.

5. Last resort:

   If still intermittent, switch to a wireless/pet-immune model or book a technician.

When Your Sensor Is Damaged

Goal: Replace a broken unit quickly.

• Hardwired: Damaged housing or wires? We’ll ship a wireless replacement (free) or schedule a technician.
• Wireless/Outdoor: Cracked or water-logged? We’ll send you a brand-new sensor under warranty.
• While waiting, bypass the zone in the Brinks Home App so it won’t cause alarms.

Sensor Won’t Activate

Goal: Get your sensor detecting again.

1. Compatibility & translator:

   Confirm model matches your panel. If more than 50 ft away, add a translator.

2. Sensor type & setup:
   • Hardwired:
     1. Check panel programming.
     2. Inspect and secure wire connections.
     3. Set sensitivity to High and retest.
   • Wireless/Outdoor:
     1. Verify programming in the Brinks Home App.
     2. Resolve any low-battery or supervision errors first.
     3. Press tamper switch near panel—if it responds, distance is too great.
     4. Delete and re-add the sensor as a new zone in the Brinks Home App; adjust angle & sensitivity; test again.
3. Still silent?

   We’ll send you a replacement sensor or schedule a technician—your choice.

Sensor Fell Off

Goal: Remount your sensor securely.

• Hardwired:
  1. Inspect bracket, screws, and wiring for damage.
  2. Realign bracket and tighten screws firmly.
  3. Snap sensor back in place and test detection via the Brinks Home App.
• Wireless/Outdoor:
  1. Check for cracked plastic or bent magnets; replace if broken.
  2. Align magnet and sensor within recommended spacing (≤¼″).
  3. Test by walking through the zone and confirming the event in the Brinks Home App.

Clearing a Tamper Alert

Goal: Reset tamper faults so your zone stays secured.

1. Hardwired:
   • Ensure cover fits flush on bracket.
   • If the alert persists, schedule a technician or switch to wireless.
2. Wireless/Outdoor:
   1. Remove cover & batteries for 30 s, then reinstall.
   2. Bypass the zone in the Brinks Home App, then restore and test tamper.
   3. If still tampering, delete & re-add as a new zone in the Brinks Home App.
   4. Persistent alerts? Book a technician or request a replacement.