How to Test a PIR Sensor

Hello! Today, I'm going to show you how to test the functionality of a PIR sensor.

Step 1: Parts

For this tester circuit, you will need:

1. LED (1)
2. 10k resistor (1)
3. PIR sensor (1)
4. Male-Male jumpers (6)
5. Female-Female Jumpers (3)
6. Breadboard
7. 5v power supply

Here's a video of the same tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBhX_-beIws

Step 2: What Is a PIR Sensor?

A PIR sensor is one that senses movement in a limited range, usually around 7 feet for cheaper sensors. The sensor "senses movement" by detecting patches of infrared radiation in front of it. Everything emits some level of infrared radiation, and the more an object emits, the more the sensor can "track" it. You rsnesor module should have two small potentiometers on it. Those potentiometers adjust the sensitivity of the sensor and the delay time between mappings of the environment. Now that you have a basic knowledge of these kinds of sensor, you need to know if yours functions, so let's build the test circuit.

Step 3: The Circuit

Let's get right into the build.

1. Take out your female-female jumpers and attach them to the header pins of the PIR sensor.
2. Insert male-male jumpers in to the female-female jumpers as shown in the cover image. Now that you've got the cable made, insert the free lead so fetch male jumpers in to the breadboard.
3. With the left most pin of the sensor, connect it to GND and connect the right most to positive voltage.
4. Connect the middle pin of the sensor to the anode of the LED with a 10K resistor.
5. Connect the cathode of the LED to GND.

That's it! I hope you enjoyed the project and found it helpful. Thanks for reading, and, as always, Happy Making!