e-Sense Detect

Fagerhult offers luminaires with some unique functions. A sensor based on microwave technology can be hidden in the luminaire without affecting its design or insulation class. Fagerhult offers a selection of luminaires with this technology to suit various areas of application and needs.

The table shows how the properties of a microwave sensor differ from those of a normal PIR (Passive Infra-Red) sensor. A microwave sensor can detect movement on the other side of a thin wall, such as one made of plaster. This function is particularly beneficial in areas such as WC’s, where the light can be switched on prior to the door being opened. The sensitivity (or the detection range), however, can be reduced to avoid erroneous detection.


How does a microwave sensor work?  

Like a radar, the sensor sends out a signal with a power rating of less than 10 mW, which is then reflected back. When the time of the reflected signal changes, the sensor detects a movement. The power of a sensor is around a hundredth of that emitted by a mobile phone.

e-Sense Detect on/off


e-Sense Detect absence dampening

The lighting is set at a constant low level (10 %). At detection the light level is adjusted to 100 %.
After the last detection and set time delay the light is dimmed to low level.

e-Sense Detect is suitable for:

  • Copying and storage rooms, toilets, corridors, cloakrooms and stairwells.


¹⁾ The detection range of a PIR sensor can be reduced by partially covering the lens with tape, for example.
²⁾ Lux threshold can be used when the light of the luminaire is not directly reflected into the photocell. This happens in luminaries with an opal diffuser, so the use of a lux threshold is not recommended with microwave sensors placed in luminaires.

The luminaires are equipped with standard HF-ballasts for on/off. The master and slave luminaires switch off after the last movement and once the delay has expired.The sensor’s relay can control five slave luminaires (five HF-ballasts). The master luminaire is connected with 4-core and the slave luminaires with 3-core.

Along with the Tridonics HF-ballast, the relay in the microwave sensor can be used for a corridor function. Instead of disconnecting the power to the HF-ballast, a control cable is connected to the relay output of the sensor, thus regulating the light. The relay is closed by someone’s presence and provides full lighting immediately. After the last detected presence and the expiry of the delay, the light is slowly adjusted down to 10 %.

Certain luminaires with sensors and connections for corridor function can only be used at 75 % sensitivity due to interference between the frequency of the fluorescent lamps and the sensor. The master luminaire and slave luminaires are connected with 4-core. The HF-ballast is the Tridonic Excel One4all or the ECO-lp T5 (for compact fluorescent lamps, only the One4all is suitable). In special cases, the One4all ballast can also be programmed for other functions.

Ceiling mounting with max. sensitivity. Sensitivity can be adjusted in fixed steps of 20, 30, 50, 75 and 100 %.

NOTE! When mounted on a wall, the sensor detects horizontally and also through certain walls.